Written Answers Nos. 107-116
107. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons on the live register in the State when the Government took office, in tabular form broken down by county; the current number of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15796/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
Live Register by County February 2011 and February 2014
|
- |
Feb 2011 |
Feb 2014 |
Percentage Change |
|
Carlow |
6,777 |
6,436 |
-5.0% |
|
Cavan |
7,475 |
6,713 |
-10.2% |
|
Clare |
10,814 |
9,242 |
-14.5% |
|
Cork |
45,417 |
38,183 |
-15.9% |
|
Donegal |
21,917 |
19,526 |
-10.9% |
|
Dublin |
104,526 |
95,676 |
-8.5% |
|
Galway |
23,604 |
20,399 |
-13.6% |
|
Kerry |
17,313 |
15,122 |
-12.7% |
|
Kildare |
18,197 |
17,086 |
-6.1% |
|
Kilkenny |
7,524 |
6,876 |
-8.6% |
|
Laois |
8,546 |
8,582 |
0.4% |
|
Leitrim |
3,640 |
3,112 |
-14.5% |
|
Limerick |
21,038 |
17,430 |
-17.1% |
|
Longford |
5,312 |
4,824 |
-9.2% |
|
Louth |
17,744 |
15,736 |
-11.3% |
|
Mayo |
13,426 |
12,040 |
-10.3% |
|
Meath |
12,049 |
9,775 |
-18.9% |
|
Monaghan |
6,508 |
6,012 |
-7.6% |
|
Offaly |
9,234 |
8,675 |
-6.1% |
|
Roscommon |
4,133 |
3,849 |
-6.9% |
|
Sligo |
5,543 |
4,980 |
-10.2% |
|
Tipperary |
16,891 |
15,643 |
-7.4% |
|
Waterford |
14,087 |
13,184 |
-6.4% |
|
Westmeath |
10,392 |
9,771 |
-6.0% |
|
Wexford |
19,565 |
17,491 |
-10.6% |
|
Wicklow |
12,627 |
11,706 |
-7.3% |
|
Total |
444,299 |
398,069 |
-10.4% |
109. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the options or courses for disabled persons seeking employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15854/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to supporting people with disabilities to participate more fully in society and become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter at work.
To this end, the Department provides a comprehensive range of employment supports for people with disabilities. For example, the EmployAbility programme provides the services of a job coach for those wishing to enter the open labour market.
In addition, the Department of Education and Skills, through SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards provides a range of vocational training programmes in their mainline and specialist training provision to assist people with disabilities access the open labour market.
110. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding available from European funds for persons wishing to set up soup kitchens. [15949/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation to create and underpin the operations of the new EU Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived was adopted by the Council in early March and came into effect shortly thereafter. The Fund will support national schemes whereby food products and basic consumer goods are distributed to those identified as being the most deprived. Under this regulation, Member States will be required to devise operational plans to procure supplies and support the distribution of food and consumer good using partner organisations (NGOs) and other public bodies to support these efforts.
The Department of Social Protection has been tasked with the development of the operational programme and has been in discussion with the European Commission and other agencies in setting out the implementation arrangements. A key priority for the Department is to ensure the administrative and associated cost burdens associated with the Fund are minimised to ensure that the indicative EU and Exchequer allocation of up to €3.5m per annum is prioritised for the purchase of goods. The programme requires certain tasks to be undertaken in the preparation of the operational programme, including consultation with interested parties and stakeholders.
The European Commission is continuing to finalise its guidance for Members States to underpin the development of the operational programme and the delivery of the programme. Given that this Fund represents a new and innovative approach to the delivery of such support, a number of matters remain to be clarified before commitments to a particular delivery approach can be made. Funding for the setting up of soup kitchens will not be eligible under this programme but supplies of provisions to such operations is envisaged as forming part of the future operation of the programme.
111. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection where the facility for the trustees to have the freedom to recognise the differences within the pensioner group or deferred group is outlined in the new guidance issued by the pensions authority. [15720/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy's question is referring to the issue of the representation of pensioner and deferred member groups in any consideration by the trustees of a pension scheme to restructure scheme benefits. This matter is being considered in terms of engagement with trustees and in the broader industrial relations context. I have written to my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on this matter and my officials have met with officials from that Department to consider the issues arising.
I expect that this engagement will continue with a view to bringing forward proposals for consideration as soon as possible.
112. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection the duration of the merchant agreement where payment by debit or credit card is accepted for services provided by her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department to the public; when the term of the agreement will end; if the merchant agreement is awarded by way of tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15744/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department currently accepts payment by way of debit or credit card for the provision of registration services provided by the General Register Office (GRO).
The Department became responsible for GRO's functions which transferred from the Department of Health & Children on 1 January 2008.
The acceptance of payment by way of debit or credit card is provided for under a merchant agreement awarded following a tendering process in 2002. The agreement is ongoing and may be terminated by the Department upon giving one month's prior written notice or two month's prior written notice by the service provider.
113. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) have lost their rent assistance allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15748/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe client concerned no longer has an entitlement to rent supplement as their income is in excess of the set limits. Should the client's circumstances change in future, the Department will reassess the client's entitlement accordingly.
114. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has been liaising with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to increase the number of unemployed construction workers and apprentices who could benefit from having a social clause in public procurement contracts. [15782/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Finance Agency in association with the Office of Government Procurement (both of which operate under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform), in response to suggestions by, among others, the Department of Social Protection, have incorporated social clauses mandating a minimum share of recruitment from the live register on a pilot basis in some new construction projects. The Department of Social Protection is working closely, at local level, with the agencies involved to ensure that this initiative delivers a positive impact for unemployed construction workers. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will produce a report in due course on the impact of the pilot approach.
115. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the total funding allocated to the Ballymun pilot of the Youth Guarantee and a breakdown of the allocation to each of the agencies involved and the purpose for which this allocation is being made. [15824/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the European Commission's call for proposals for preparatory actions under the 'Youth Guarantee', the Department of Social Protection has obtained EU funding to pilot a Youth Guarantee Scheme in Ballymun. The total cost of the project is EUR 302,279. This includes funding of EUR 250,000 from the European Commission.
The allocation of this budget and the elements which will be available to individual organisations to support the Youth Guarantee pilot is currently being finalised by the Ballymun Youth Guarantee Pilot Local Implementation Group.
116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection which person and-or agency citizens interested in accessing information or funding under the EU's Employment and Social Innovation programme should contact. [15834/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme is a financing instrument at EU level to promote a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions. EaSI is managed directly by the European Commission. It brings together three EU programmes managed separately between 2007 and 2013: PROGRESS, EURES and Progress Microfinance.
Details of the EaSI annual work programme, funding priorities and list of activities, along with the contact details for each committee member can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1081.
