Written Answers Nos 373-397
373. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants aged 18-25 who have commenced a community employment scheme in each of the following years, 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26036/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe general entry age for Community Employment (CE) is 25 years of age or older. However, certain categories of client can participate on the programme at 18 years of age or over, including persons with a disability, Travellers, drug rehabilitation clients, refugees, ex-offenders and offshore islanders.
The following table sets out the number of participants aged 18-25 years of age who commenced CE in the specified years (2014 figures are year-to-date).
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (YTD) |
|
Age 18-25 |
379 |
325 |
479 |
293 |
374. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance or signing on for credits for less than six months; for more than six months and less than 12 months; for more than 12 months and less than 24 months; for more than 24 months and less than 36 months; for more than 36 months and less than 48 months and those in receipt for more than 48 months and less than 60 months and those in receipt for more than 60 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26037/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
Number of Under 25 year Olds in receipt of Jobseeker’s Assistance, Jobseeker’s Benefit or signing for Credits at 31 May 2014
|
Scheme |
<6 Months |
>6 Months <1 year |
>1 year <2 years |
>2 years <3 years |
>3 years <4 Years |
>4 years <5 years |
Total |
|
Jobseekers' Assistance |
12,830 |
11,664 |
11,378 |
5,489 |
3,258 |
1,944 |
46,563 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
1,874 |
307 |
2,167 |
12 |
3 |
0 |
4,363 |
|
Credits Only |
117 |
76 |
169 |
16 |
5 |
3 |
386 |
|
Total |
14,821 |
12,047 |
13,714 |
5,517 |
3,266 |
1,947 |
51,312 |
381. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare recipients who have been subject to a penalty rate in each of the following years, 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; the number of social welfare recipients aged 18-25 years who have been subject to a penalty rate in each of the following years, 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26046/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra382. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons social welfare recipients have been subject to a penalty rate in each of the following years, 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26047/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.
Legislation provides that sanctions/penalties in the form of reduced payments may be imposed by a Deciding Officer where recipients of jobseeker payments fail, without good cause, to comply with activation measures. Activation measures include the requirement to attend group or individual meetings, and/or avail of suitable education, training or development opportunities, or specified employment programmes, which are considered appropriate to a person's circumstances.
Total numbers of penalty rates applied by year, to end May 2014, are indicated in the following table, including a breakdown for jobseekers aged 18-25 years. Penalty rate figures given previously have been revised based on a more accurate and complete database which has been compiled.
Penalty rates started in the year by age at start of period
|
All |
All |
Start of Penalty |
Start of Penalty |
Start of Penalty |
Start of Penalty |
|
- |
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
To end May 2014 |
|
18-25 |
3,743 |
215 |
776 |
1,691 |
1,061 |
|
All |
7,347 |
359 |
1,519 |
3,395 |
2,074 |
386. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department's representatives, formerly community welfare officers, have access to information such as bank statements and other documentation supplied by customers to her Department's local offices; and, if not, if consideration will be given to introducing a system onto which documents could be uploaded giving DSP representatives immediate access and facilitating faster decision making regarding temporary social welfare supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26122/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key objective of the transfer of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) from the Health Service Executive to the Department on 1 October 2011 was to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources and to provide a streamlined, consistent and enhanced customer facing service at a local level for clients of the Department.
As a result there have been a number of initiatives undertaken in recent years that has resulted in a fundamental re-structuring of the administration of this service including the re-structuring of satellite CWS clinics, which has resulted in smaller clinics been consolidated into larger centres with increased numbers of staff. The relocation of services coincides with greater integration between the CWS and other locally based staff of the Department in meeting commitments under the Pathways to Work programme to provide opportunities, support and assistance to those on the live register. This process is further enhanced by the continued roll out of the Intreo service nationwide which includes a single integrated decision-making team that integrate and streamline the processes formerly undertaken by the different agencies amalgamated into the Department, including the CWS. One of the benefits of this process provides for increased sharing of information as appropriate.
In addition to these measures, the Department is currently rolling out phase one of an integrated IT system supporting all aspects of regional services including the CWS. This system will facilitate and further improve the sharing of information across the Department.
387. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will meet relatives of the signatories to the 1916 Proclamation on the proposed development with the National Asset Management Agency funding of the Moore Street 1916 battleground, the most historic site in modern Irish history, according to the National Museum of Ireland and historically beyond price according to the Imperial War Museum in London. [25426/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have met the relatives on a number of occasions, including dedicated meetings in October 2011, June 2012, July 2013 and October 2013; in the context of other meetings including the Oireachtas Group on Commemorations; at other commemorative events; and, most recently, on 23 April 2014. This latest meeting was in the context of the discussion on the national monument in Moore Street. The issue of the development of the wider area does not come within my remit. In arriving at my decision on the consent application under the National Monuments Acts in relation to the Moore Street national monument, I took full account of all submissions and observations received, including those of the National Museum of Ireland. I have not received, nor am I aware of, any formal statement by the Imperial War Museum at any stage in relation to this case.
388. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on whether a capital budget of €12 million should be provided for Údarás na Gaeltachta in budget 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26006/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, I very much appreciate the importance of job creation in helping to retain sustainable communities in Gaeltacht areas. In that context, I wish to acknowledge the very important enterprise and employment function of Údarás na Gaeltachta as the regional economic agency for the Gaeltacht. Údarás na Gaeltachta's end of year statement for 2013 indicated that the rate of job losses in its client companies had reached a record low. This was very welcome news indeed. However, while the level of job losses has stabilised, I am very cognisant of the difficult challenge still to be faced in creating a sufficient number of new jobs to maintain, and indeed increase, employment levels in the Gaeltacht.
I met recently with Údarás na Gaeltachta and discussed its strategic proposal to increase its capital budget over time from the present level of €5.687m to €12m. I am very aware and supportive of the case advanced by the organisation that such an increase in funding would enable it to create an additional 300 jobs.
As the Deputy is aware, it was announced as part of Budget 2014 that comprehensive reviews of both current and capital expenditure would be undertaken by all Government Departments during 2014. These reviews underpin the Government's multi-annual budgetary framework and are conducted periodically to re-set Departmental expenditure ceilings in line with emerging Government priorities. The reviews are currently ongoing and will be considered by Government later this year with a view to underpinning expenditure ceilings for 2015 and beyond, as well as clarifying policy options and informing prioritisation decisions arising from the expenditure ceilings. Clearly, the capital allocation for Údarás na Gaeltachta for 2015 will be informed by the outcome of those reviews and within the framework of the Budgetary and Estimates processes later in the year.
389. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that there will be no cuts to Foras na Gaeilge in budget 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26007/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Foras na Gaeilge is one of the agencies of An Foras Teanga, the North South Language Body, and its budget must accordingly be approved by the North South Ministerial Council. Foras na Gaeilge is co-financed on the basis of 75% from my Department and 25% from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. In addition, my Department provides certain additional ringfenced funding for Foras na Gaeilge in relation to Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge and Colmcille. As the Deputy is further aware, it was announced as part of Budget 2014 that comprehensive reviews of both current and capital expenditure would be undertaken by all Government Departments in this jurisdiction during 2014. These reviews underpin the Government's multi-annual budgetary framework and are conducted periodically to re-set Departmental expenditure ceilings in line with emerging Government priorities. These reviews are currently ongoing and will be considered by Government later this year with a view to underpinning expenditure ceilings for 2015 and beyond, as well as clarifying policy options and informing prioritisation decisions arising from the expenditure ceilings.
While my Department will continue to provide funding for An Foras Teanga, subject to the normal budgetary processes, I should point out that the Public Expenditure/Finance Departments in both jurisdictions have already agreed that minimum efficiency savings of 4% must be achieved by all North South Implementation Bodies in 2015.
390. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the derogation on the status of the Irish language in the EU that will end at the end of 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26009/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA decision on whether or not to extend the derogation for the use of Irish in EU institutions for a further period of time is required by December 2015 at the latest. In this context, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach, is engaged in discussions with various stakeholders, including the EU institutions, in order to formulate specific proposals on the optimal approach to the derogation. This matter will be brought forward for consideration by Government in due course. It should also be noted that, as part of the Government's strategy to ensure that a sufficient number of qualified personnel are available to meet the needs arising from the recognition of Irish as an official and working language of the EU, my Department continues to provide substantial funding for a range of specialised third level courses and for the development of Irish language terminology for the EU terminology database, InterActive Terminology for Europe (IATE).
391. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will make available copies of the annual targeted programme in Ireland's national parks to manage the invasive species, which he has stated is carried out by his Department and is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring optimum efficacy. [25265/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 28 May 2014, if he will provide a copy of the targeted management programme to which he made reference; and if he will provide further details of the nature of the review of current practice of available resources taking place within his Department. [25420/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 395 together.
My Department’s staff in Killarney National Park manage Rhododendron ponticum in the Park, in accordance with a long-term strategic programme. The focus of the Rhododendron management programme is reviewed and refined on an ongoing basis, so as to direct action in the most efficient and effective way to different locations in the Park, having regard to available resources and taking account of the vigorous nature of the plant.
While my Department uses internal working documents for operational purposes, the documentation is not a publication as such and would not be considered suitable for wider dissemination. However, having regard to the welcome interest in this matter, it is my intention to have details of this programme published on the Killarney National Park website as soon as it can be arranged.
In the meantime, general information on methods used for the control of Rhododendron ponticum in Killarney National Park is available on the Park website at http://www.killarneynationalpark.ie/Rhododendron.htm.
392. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding rhododendron in Killarney National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25348/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticum in Killarney National Park. The extent of the problem varies from area to area within the Park and, having regard to the very dynamic nature of this invasive species, the targeted management programme is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring optimum efficacy. In the past, large tracts of the Park including ancient Oak woods were heavily infested with this robust and vigorous invasive plant which, if left unchecked, can grow in dense thickets and replace native shrub, exclude native vegetation, and constrain native woodland regeneration.
Since 2011, nearly €500,000 has been invested in this work and for this year I have allocated a further €100,000 to Killarney National Park for the management of this plant. Approximately 3,000 of the 10,000 hectares in the Park were, to some extent, affected by Rhododendron infestation. My Department's management programme has made significant inroads into the problem and now approximately 2,000 of those hectares, involving some 40 different sites, are under effective control.
Ultimately, the plan is to clear all Rhododendron from Killarney National Park. The annual Rhododendron management programme is intended to create conditions in the Park that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, our native woodlands.
The work involved is difficult and resource intensive and is carried out by outside specialist companies, staff of my Department, and by volunteer groups under staff direction and supervision. My Department is committed to continuing this important challenging work into the future.
In this regard, I would like to recognise the past and continuing important contribution of volunteer groups to this work, and also to acknowledge the innovative work of my Department’s staff in Killarney National Park who have been instrumental in developing new methods to increase the effectiveness of our efforts to control this plant.
393. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a sign with bus timetables will be erected at a site (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25373/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has only recently been approached in connection with proposals for the display of bus timetables, as referred to in the Deputy's Question, and will bring forward consideration of the matter.
394. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding outstanding bog compensation payments in respect of person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25388/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have been made to this applicant. In addition, a once-off payment of €500 has been made to the applicant, in respect of the signing of a legal agreement under this scheme with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. There are no payments outstanding under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme in respect of the applicant referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
396. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total capital spending on construction projects carried out by his Department and by bodies operating under the responsibility of his Department since 2008 and to date in 2014; if he will provide the information on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25534/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra397. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of the €38 million designated to his Department for direct Exchequer capital funding according to the Estimates for 2014 that is expected to go towards construction-related projects; if he will list the projects; if he will provide an update on any of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25548/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.
As the Deputy will recall, my Department was established in June 2011. Details of the Voted Capital Services allocated to my Department at subhead level are published in Appendix II of the annual Revised Estimates Volume for each of the years since 2011 and are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at http://www.per.gov.ie/estpubexp2013/. Through these subheads, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/
Capital expenditure under these programme areas does not relate exclusively to construction activity and precise costs of individual projects in some instances are yet to be determined though tender processes. In view of this and because of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes, and the large volumes of payments and grants involved, it is not possible to provide the information sought. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I will endeavour to provide him with relevant information in that regard.
