Written Answers Nos. 382-413
383. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form a detailed breakdown of the name and number of ministerial special advisers in her Department; their annual remuneration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32752/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment limits on numbers of advisers are not applicable to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
The names and details of the salaries of the two Special Advisers I have appointed are shown in the following table.
|
Title |
Name |
Annual Salary |
|
Special Adviser |
Edward Brophy |
€119,577 |
|
Press Adviser |
Paul O’Brien |
€75,647 - €92,550 |
As Mr. Edward Brophy was previously employed in the private sector on a salary package that was more than twice the highest point of the Principal Officer (standard) scale, I sought sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for remuneration in excess of the applicable pay scale grade. A single point salary of €127,796 was sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform effective from 29 July 2011. This represented a reduction of over one third in Mr. Brophy’s previous salary in the private sector. His salary was reduced to €119,572 per annum on 1st July 2013 in accordance with the Haddington Road Agreement.
Mr. Paul O’Brien was appointed in December 2012. Mr O’Brien was on a salary of €80,051 per annum, the first point of the Principal Officer (standard) scale when he was appointed. However, his salary was reduced in accordance with the Haddington Road Agreement on 1st July 2013. Mr O’Brien progressed to the next point on the pay scale in December 2013.
384. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the gender quota targets for the boards of State bodies and agencies under their remit; the level reached to date; and their future plans to meet and maintain the targets. [32767/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a Board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Citizens Information Board
The legislative provisions governing appointments to the Citizens Information Board are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000, the Citizens Information Act 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011. When making appointments to the Board, I have regard to the objective of there being no less than 6 female members and 6 male members.
The current membership of the Citizens Information Board comprises 7 males and 5 females. There are three vacancies on the Board, which will be filled in accordance with the legislative provisions.
Pensions Authority
The Pensions Authority was established in March 2014. Appointments made are in accordance with the legislation. All three members of the Board are female.
A Pensions Council is expected to be appointed shortly. A Chairperson for the Council, who is male, has been announced, but will not be formally appointed until the membership of the Council has been finalised.
The proportion of women and men holding positions in the Pensions Authority and Pensions Council will continue to be considered in the context of Government policy in this area.
Social Welfare Tribunal
The Social Welfare Tribunal consists of a Chairman and four ordinary members, two ordinary members on the nomination of ICTU and two ordinary members on the nomination of IBEC. The Tribunal currently is made up of one female and four male members. The Department requested the nomination of women for positions on the Board from the organisations concerned to take account of gender balance considerations.
Due to the nature of the work of the Tribunal the position of Chairman is usually filled by way of a recommendation from the Labour Court.
385. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will outline her priorities for the remainder of her term in office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32782/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government published a Statement of Government Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 on Friday, 11th July. The statement sets out how we will build a social recovery to accompany the economic recovery that is now under way.
The key priorities in the statement are:
1. Strengthening the Domestic Economy and Prioritising New Jobs for the Unemployed
2. Delivering Better Living and Working Standards
3. Improving Housing Availability and Affordability
4. Responsible and Sustainable Management of the Public Finances
5. Rebuilding Trust in Politics and Public Institutions
6. Protecting and Enhancing Peace in Northern Ireland
The full text of the statement is available at:
http://www.merrionstreet.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Statement-of-Government-Priorities-Final-110714.pdf
I am determined that the Department of Social Protection will play its role in ensuring that the benefits of recovery are felt evenly across the country. The Government is committed to targeting investment in disadvantaged communities and we will draw on the lessons learned in successful pilots in Ballymun. There will be a cross-government focus on early intervention initiative providing key support services such as early childhood literacy and learning and the continued nationwide roll-out of the Youth Guarantee by my department to ensure work, training and educational opportunities are provided for young jobseekers.
Key priorities for the Department of Social Protection are as set out below:
- Activation, including the continued implementation of the current approaches to activation which include Intreo, Pathways to Work, JobPath, the afore-mentioned Youth Guarantee, employer engagement, and other employment schemes and supports.
- Budget 2015 and implementation of Budget changes.
- Progressing Social Welfare, Civil Registration and Gender Recognition legislation.
- Illness scheme reform.
- Implementation of the Compliance and Anti-fraud Initiative 2014-2018.
- Continue work on adequacy and sustainability of pensions into the future and respond to the OECD review of the Irish pensions system which was published in 2013.
- Review and response to the Final report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare Working Age Incentives
- Housing and the transfer of responsibility for those with a long-term housing need from Rent Supplement to the Housing Assistance Payment, where appropriate
- Continued rollout of the Public Services Card
I will, as I have done so far in my tenure as Minister for Social Protection, continue to drive forward the agenda of social welfare reform to ensure that the social welfare system continues to be sustainable and fit-for-purpose into the future.
386. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the the briefing she has received upon entering office from her Department; if she will publish the briefing and if so, when the briefing will be published. [32797/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs well as being Tánaiste I will be continuing as Minister for Social Protection. I will not require a briefing as I have held the position of Minister for Social Protection since 2011.
The briefing I received from the Department on entering office in 2011 is available on the Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Ministers-Briefing.aspx
387. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the correct level of payment in respect of jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32837/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on information available to this Department, the correct rate of jobseeker’s allowance payable to the first person concerned is €62.60 per week. Her payment was adjusted for means in respect of the second person concerned’s employment. The second person concerned is in receipt of family income supplement. It is open to the person concerned to request a review of her claim at any time.
389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the maximum rent allowable at which rent support is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32841/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe maximum rent limit applicable to a person with this family composition and living in the following locations - Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock and Celbridge - is €750 per calendar month. The maximum rent limit applicable in the remainder of Kildare is €650 per calendar month.
390. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue in relation to an appeal against the refusal of carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32844/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 31st January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16th June 2014 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
394. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the average waiting time for a decision in relation to appeals for the invalidity pension, disability allowance, the domiciliary care allowance and the one-parent family payment; the average waiting time for appeal for each of these where there is no oral hearing and where there is an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32861/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the average waiting time for a decision in relation to appeals for all social welfare payments paid on a weekly basis; the average waiting time for appeal for each of these where there is no oral hearing and where there is an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32862/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.
A breakdown of the average time, where available, to award claims during June 2014 is detailed in Table 1. It should be noted that processing times vary by scheme reflecting the differing requirements to satisfy conditions such as income/means limits and medical eligibility. The processing times provided in the table also incorporate the impact of overall processing times of the appeals process.
The average processing time for an appeal of all social welfare payments paid on a weekly basis in cases where the appeal is decided by summary decision, and for those appeals decided following an oral hearing, is given in Table 2.
Appeal processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period, including time spent awaiting any clarification from the appellant, time in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. While this process carries an inherent delay in terms of finalising an appeal, it also crystalises the flexibility and accessibility of the appeals system. By its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial function, the processing of appeals takes time and reflects the fact that, by definition, the appeal process cannot be a quick one.
There has been a rapid and sustained increase in the number of appeals received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2009. Up to 2009, the average number of appeals received was 15,000 per annum whereas in 2012, the number of appeals received peaked at 35,484, reducing to 32,777 appeals in 2013. In parallel, the number of appeals finalised in the appeals office increased from 17,787 in 2009 to 38,421 in 2013. An additional 5,863 appeals were finalised in 2013 compared to 2012. Good progress has also been made in reducing the number of appeals on hand from 20,414 at 1 January 2013 to 10,586 at 14th July 2014.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Table 1: Average time to award Claims June 2014
|
Scheme |
Average time to Award Claims (Weeks) |
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
1 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
2 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
15 |
|
State Pension Contributory (Domestic) |
6 |
|
State Pension Transition (Domestic) |
8 |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
2 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
24 |
|
Household Benefits |
1 |
|
Free Travel |
2 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
|
Bereavement Grant - Sligo |
11 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic and Formerly Resident Abroad) |
1 |
|
Child Benefit (EU Regulation) |
29 |
|
Family Income Supplement (New Claims) |
6 |
|
Carer's Allowance* |
35 |
|
Disability Allowance* |
30 |
|
Invalidity Pension* |
25 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
* The average time to award disability allowance, carers' allowance and invalidity pension applications at the end of June was 30, 35 and 25 weeks respectively. New applications for disability allowance are currently decided upon inside 12 weeks, carer’s allowance are currently decided upon inside 13.75 weeks on average and invalidity pension claims are currently decided upon within 9.5 weeks of receipt. The overall average processing times reflect appeals in the system.
Table 2: Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 30/06/14
|
- |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
17.1 |
- |
|
Blind Pension |
20.0 |
32.6 |
|
Carers Allowance |
32.2 |
35.9 |
|
Carers Benefit |
31.3 |
24.6 |
|
Disability Allowance |
21.2 |
28.0 |
|
Illness Benefit |
30.8 |
35.5 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
- |
64.7 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
41.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
25.7 |
25.3 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
30.0 |
31.8 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
27.5 |
39.1 |
|
Liable Relatives |
18.0 |
25.7 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
25.8 |
32.9 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
24.8 |
47.9 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
47.9 |
51.1 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
21.4 |
43.0 |
|
State Pension (Non-Cont) |
20.2 |
28.1 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
23.7 |
41.0 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
33.1 |
27.7 |
|
Disablement Pension |
27.2 |
36.4 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
- |
53.9 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
23.5 |
44.0 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
25.2 |
30.2 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-con) |
15.1 |
30.8 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
20.2 |
29.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
17.8 |
22.9 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
19.1 |
19.2 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
5.3 |
- |
|
Treatment Benefit |
20.8 |
- |
|
Respite Care Grant |
26.5 |
28.4 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
56.7 |
58.2 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
15.6 |
22.5 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
25.7 |
34.7 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con) |
28.8 |
27.9 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
22.6 |
- |
|
All Appeals |
22.4 |
29.6 |
396. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite and grant a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32868/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received on the 24th February 2014. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A decision letter issued to the customer on the 13th June 2014 advising of this decision.
In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the decision to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days.
399. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form, a breakdown of the current number of appeals received for each social welfare payment; the average completion time for these appeals; and the percentage of appeals, in respect of each payment, which are upheld by the appeals office. [32873/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures requested by the Deputy relating to appeals received for each social welfare payment, the average completion time for these appeals, and the percentage of appeals, in respect of each payment, which were upheld by the Appeals Office are provided in Tables 1-3 below.
Appeal processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period, including time spent awaiting any clarification from the appellant, time in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. While this process carries an inherent delay in terms of finalising an appeal, it also crystalises the flexibility and accessibility of the appeals system. By its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial function, the processing of appeals takes time and reflects the fact that, by definition, the appeal process cannot be a quick one.
There has been a rapid and sustained increase in the number of appeals received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2009 which has placed extraordinary pressure on the office. Up to 2009, the average number of appeals received was 15,000 per annum whereas in 2012, the number of appeals received peaked at 35,484, reducing to 32,777 appeals in 2013. In order to manage this increasing workload, significant resources and efforts have been put into reducing backlogs and improving appeals processing times for appellants, including the assignment of 15 additional Appeals Officers, in addition to 10 former Community Welfare Service Appeals Officers who joined the appeals office in 2011, bringing the total number of serving Appeals Officers to 41; reviewing and improving business processes; and implementing a new operating model within the appeals office. A major programme of process redesign and modernisation is also under way in the Department in relation to many of its scheme areas, aimed at reducing backlogs and reducing the time taken by the Department to respond to requests from the appeals office for submissions in relation to appeals.
In addition to the improvements in processing times mentioned above, these measures have also led to a significant increase in the number of appeals finalised in the appeals office from 17,787 in 2009 to 38,421 in 2013. An additional 5,863 appeals were finalised in 2013 compared to 2012. Good progress has also been made in reducing the number of appeals on hand from 20,414 at 1 January 2013 to 11,569 at 30th June 2014.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Table 1: Appeals on Hands at 30 th June 2014
|
Scheme |
No. of Appeals on Hands |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
0 |
|
Blind Pension |
11 |
|
Carers Allowance |
1,409 |
|
Carers Benefit |
42 |
|
Child Benefit |
304 |
|
Disability Allowance |
1,900 |
|
Illness Benefit |
612 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
40 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
357 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
0 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
2 |
|
Farm Assist |
152 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
58 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
269 |
|
Homemaker |
1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,120 |
|
Liable Relatives |
43 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
300 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
9 |
|
Pre-retirement Pension |
2 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
110 |
|
State Pension (Non-Cont) |
149 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
12 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
9 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
16 |
|
Disablement Pension |
194 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
20 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
17 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-con) |
11 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
1,332 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
1,160 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
2 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
409 |
|
Respite Care Grant |
53 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
121 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1,272 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
34 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con) |
13 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
4 |
|
Total |
11,569 |
Table 2: Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 30/06/14
|
Scheme |
SWAO (weeks) |
Department of Social Protection (weeks) |
Appellant (weeks) |
Totals |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
8.2 |
8.9 |
- |
17.1 |
|
Blind Pension |
10.5 |
14.8 |
- |
25.2 |
|
Carers Allowance |
8.9 |
21.1 |
0.4 |
30.4 |
|
Carers Benefit |
13.5 |
7.6 |
- |
21.1 |
|
Child Benefit |
11.5 |
12.3 |
0.1 |
24.0 |
|
Disability Allowance |
10.0 |
13.6 |
0.1 |
23.7 |
|
Illness Benefit |
10.1 |
13.3 |
4.3 |
27.8 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
12.4 |
36.3 |
- |
48.7 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
9.7 |
12.6 |
0.2 |
22.5 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
46.9 |
17.8 |
- |
64.7 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
35.4 |
6.4 |
- |
41.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
13.3 |
15.4 |
0.5 |
29.2 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
7.2 |
7.7 |
- |
14.9 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
10.1 |
16.5 |
- |
26.6 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
10.7 |
18.4 |
0.1 |
29.2 |
|
Liable Relatives |
5.3 |
11.1 |
3.2 |
19.5 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
14.3 |
21.5 |
0.1 |
35.9 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
15.3 |
10.0 |
- |
25.3 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
15.3 |
13.9 |
1.5 |
30.7 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
13.1 |
15.4 |
0.1 |
28.5 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
14.8 |
37.8 |
- |
52.6 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
11.6 |
43.1 |
- |
54.7 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
6.8 |
37.0 |
0.3 |
44.1 |
|
Disablement Pension |
14.9 |
14.6 |
- |
29.5 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
8.4 |
19.6 |
- |
27.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
12.3 |
7.2 |
- |
19.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
10.0 |
9.3 |
- |
19.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
13.0 |
14.4 |
0.2 |
27.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
11.4 |
11.1 |
0.1 |
22.6 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
5.3 |
- |
- |
5.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
10.9 |
12.6 |
0.1 |
23.5 |
|
Respite Care Grant |
10.8 |
9.5 |
0.4 |
20.7 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
32.8 |
35.0 |
- |
67.7 |
|
Insurance Refund |
0.1 |
4.6 |
- |
4.6 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
9.7 |
10.0 |
0.2 |
19.9 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
10.6 |
10.1 |
- |
20.8 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
11.8 |
23.9 |
0.4 |
36.0 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
13.3 |
18.1 |
- |
31.4 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
14.2 |
8.5 |
- |
22.6 |
|
All Appeals |
10.8 |
13.6 |
0.4 |
24.8 |
Table 3: Appeals decided by Appeals Officers 01/01/2014 – 30/06/14
|
Scheme |
Allowed |
Part allowed |
Disallowed |
Total |
% Favourable |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0.00% |
|
Blind Pension |
4 |
0 |
9 |
13 |
30.77% |
|
Carers Allowance |
582 |
104 |
779 |
1465 |
46.83% |
|
Carers Benefit |
19 |
2 |
20 |
41 |
51.22% |
|
Child Benefit |
65 |
18 |
195 |
278 |
29.86% |
|
Disability Allowance |
2543 |
50 |
1321 |
3914 |
66.25% |
|
Illness Benefit |
85 |
9 |
147 |
241 |
39.00% |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
16 |
3 |
27 |
46 |
41.30% |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
466 |
13 |
215 |
694 |
69.02% |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0.00% |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
66.67% |
|
Farm Assist |
23 |
14 |
59 |
96 |
38.54% |
|
Bereavement Grant |
0 |
0 |
23 |
23 |
0% |
|
Family Income Supplement |
40 |
5 |
84 |
129 |
34.88% |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1377 |
9 |
473 |
1859 |
67.52% |
|
Liable Relatives |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
0% |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
84 |
11 |
134 |
229 |
41.48% |
|
Maternity Benefit |
|||||
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
9 |
0 |
41 |
50 |
18.00% |
|
State Pension (Non-Cont) |
27 |
8 |
70 |
105 |
33.33% |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
3 |
0 |
15 |
18 |
16.67% |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
1 |
0 |
8 |
9 |
11.11% |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
100.00% |
|
Disablement Pension |
34 |
3 |
105 |
142 |
26.06% |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
3 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
66.67% |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
9 |
0 |
14 |
23 |
39.13% |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-con) |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
83.33% |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
203 |
87 |
855 |
1145 |
25.33% |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
364 |
53 |
722 |
1139 |
36.61% |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0% |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
100 |
19 |
224 |
343 |
34.69% |
|
Respite Care Grant |
42 |
0 |
45 |
87 |
48.28% |
|
Insurability of Employment |
3 |
1 |
14 |
18 |
22.22% |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
399 |
55 |
684 |
1138 |
39.89% |
|
Treatment Benefit |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
12 |
1 |
8 |
21 |
61.90% |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con) |
4 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
85.71% |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
2 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
33.33% |
|
Totals |
6,530 |
469 |
6,319 |
13,318 |
52.55% |
400. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an invalidity application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32876/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 6th December 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 27th June 2014 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
401. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied with the consultation process carried out by Waterways Ireland regarding the proposed canal by-law amendments; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland with regard to this consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32087/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Waterways Ireland undertook an extensive public consultation process in relation to the proposed draft bye-laws earlier this year, in compliance with its statutory obligations in that regard. I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and other stakeholders, including the Heritage Boat Association, the Royal Canal Amenity Group and the Irish Boat Rental Association, were contacted individually and invited to meet with the Chief Executive and the senior management team of Waterways Ireland prior to submitting their views. I am also advised that all current permit holders on the three waterways, including traditional canal users and canal dwellers, received individual written notice and were given the opportunity to make their views and requirements known.
I understand that over 2,000 submissions were made in the course of the public consultation process. Waterways Ireland has now concluded their analysis of the public consultation. A summary of the consultation process and of the submissions received is available on the Waterways Ireland website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/public-consultation and work is continuing on finalising the draft bye-laws.
To that end, Waterways Ireland will prepare a report setting out its proposed approach, including any revisions it may wish to make to its original proposals. That report will be submitted to my Department and will then be referred to me, as Minister, with recommendations for consideration and final decision.
In line with the commitment given during a debate in Seanad Éireann on Wednesday 26 February 2014, I will afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the draft bye-laws.
402. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a report has been provided by Údaras na Gaeltachta on a matter relating to the sale of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32207/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sale of the company referred to by the Deputy was concluded following a comprehensive evaluation process to find a strategic investment partner which would ensure the future of the company, give maximum economic benefit to its employees, its suppliers, customers and other stakeholders, and thereby deliver the best value for the State. The Deputy will appreciate the constraints involved in providing further detail on these matters within the confines of a "details supplied" Parliamentary Question. Accordingly, I propose to write directly to the Deputy setting out the position in this case.
403. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32215/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship, as Minister, is undertaken by the Office of Public Works. OPW provides visitor facilities at many of our most important national monuments and a dedicated guide service is available at a significant number of sites to assist visitors in interpreting the monuments. The resources available are limited and must be used to ensure that all visitors to national monuments have a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. It is a matter for OPW to determine, on a case by case basis, having due regard to the need to avoid any diminution in the facilities or services offered to the general public, whether special arrangements can be made to cater for individuals or groups who may wish to organise or participate in other activities of any particular kind.
I regret that my Department does not have any grant or other funding scheme that might be availed of to support the specific proposal referred to.
404. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of agencies or State bodies under the aegis of her Department that have been abolished since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32234/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra405. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of new agencies or State bodies that have been established under the aegis of her Department since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32249/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.
I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question 419 of 13 May 2014.
As set out in that reply, the functions of Culture Ireland were merged fully into my Department during 2013 and the Board was replaced with an Expert Committee whose members provide their time on a pro bono basis. In addition, the term of office of the Placenames Commission expired in October 2012 and was replaced by an Expert Committee which also operates on a pro bono basis.
Furthermore, a formal Framework for Co-operation and Improved Services between the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Art Gallery was developed and endorsed by Government. Arising from that, the three Galleries signed a formal Service Level Agreement outlining a number of specific measures to share a number of services across the three Institutions. Legislation has been prepared to give effect to these changes and to reduce the number on boards, enshrine pro bono service and also gender equality on each board.
In December 2013, a new Human Resources Shared Services Unit was established in my Department to provide HR support to the National Museum of Ireland. Work is continuing between the National Museum of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland to improve co-operation between these institutions and to progress shared services. Legislation to formally enact these changes and changes to board structure is being progressed.
I am satisfied that this programme of change has made a significant contribution to achieving the savings targets set out in the Public Service Reform Plan, while at the same time enhancing the operations of the bodies concerned.
No agencies or State bodies funded from my Department's Vote group have been established since 2011. For completeness, however, the Deputy may wish to note that responsibility for the Censorship of Publications Board and the Censorship of Publications Appeals Board transferred from the Department of Justice and Equality to my Department in June 2013.
406. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total value of bonus payments made to staff under the aegis of her Department in 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32264/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the House that no such payments have been made to staff of my Department or the bodies under its aegis in either 2013 or the current year.
407. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of appointments to State boards since March 2011 under the aegis of her Department; the total number of appointments that have been advertised on her Department’s website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32294/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 2 June 2011 and the Deputy will appreciate that the information sought by him can only be provided in respect of the period since then. The information requested by the Deputy regarding appointments to State Boards in the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group since 2 June 2011 to date is set out in the table. My Department seeks expressions of interest from the public by advertising on my Department's website. As Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in making such appointments I am not restricted to giving consideration only to those who have responded to publicly advertised invitations to submit expressions of interest. I can also approach candidates who, in my view, may have a contribution to make and who may be willing to serve. In the case of certain bodies, board appointments may also be made by the bodies themselves or on an ex officio basis.
It may also be noted also that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, being agencies of the North-South Implementation Body - An Foras Teanga, are made by the North-South Ministerial Council, arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.
|
Board |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Appointments made between 2 June 2011 and 15 July 2014 |
The number that were publicly advertised |
Number drawn from the public advertisement process |
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
- |
- |
|
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
National Concert Hall |
15 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
12 |
12 |
|
|
National Library of Ireland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
National Museum of Ireland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Irish Film Board |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
Arts Council |
4 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
11 |
9 (there was also 1 re-appointment) |
|
|
Heritage Council |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
0 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
0 (no expressions of interest were received) |
|
|
Censorship of Publications Board* |
N/A |
0 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
||
|
Censorship of Publications Appeals Board* |
N/A |
N/A |
|||||
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
1 (there were also 7 re-appointments and 1 ex-officio appointment) |
|
|
Chester Beatty Library |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
3 (there was also 1 ex-officio appointment) |
|
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
0 |
11 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
4 (there were also 5 appointments by County Councils with Gaeltacht areas within their jurisdictions) |
|
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
15 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
* Responsibility for the Censorship of Publications Board and Censorship of Publications Appeals Board transferred from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in June 2013
408. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of her Department since March 2011 who have appeared before the relevant Oireachtas Joint Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32309/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 2 June 2011 and the Deputy will appreciate that the information sought by him can only be provided since that date. I can advise the Deputy that 6 Chairpersons were appointed to State boards of the bodies funded from my Department's Vote group and appeared before the relevant Oireachtas Joint Committee, as outlined below.
- Chair of the Board of the National Concert Hall, appointed in 2011
- Chair of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, appointed in 2012
- Chair of the Board of the Heritage Council, appointed in 2013
- Chair of the Board of the Irish Film Board, appointed in 2013
- Chair of the Board of the Arts Council, appointed in 2014
- Chair of the Censorship of Publications Board, appointed in 2014
409. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of retired public servants who have been awarded temporary or term-time posts in her Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [32324/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question 462 of 8 July 2014.
410. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the construction of the new Irish Language Centre in Baile an Fhirtéaraigh, Contae Chiarraí; the timeframe for the project and when completion is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32343/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy involves a building of 1,418 square metres, comprising new offices for the local co-operative, a family resource centre and 3 enterprise units. The development is being overseen by Comharchumann Chorca Dhuibhne. My Department approved funding of €1,746,765 towards the cost of the project over a three year period. It is expected that the centre will be completed by the end of 2014.
411. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the renovation and refurbishment of Killarney House and Gardens, County Kerry; the timeframe for the project and when completion is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32351/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is progressing apace in parallel with the initial hard-landscaping works to the ornamental grounds and gardens. Work on the interpretation phase for both the House and its grounds and gardens is also advancing. It is anticipated that the project will be completed in time for next year’s tourism season.
412. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if increased funding will be provided for film production here; if she will provide in tabular form the amounts provided annually for film production over the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32352/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). The IFB is the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry and I have no responsibility in relation to its day-to-day operational matters, including policies and the allocation of resources to different support programmes and schemes. My Department's operational role in supporting the film sector relates to the administration of elements of section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 that provides tax relief for investments in qualifying films. This involves the administration of certain elements of the scheme which relate to the fulfilment of the cultural criteria. The types of film eligible for certification are feature films, television drama, creative documentary and animation.
With regard to the amounts provided annually for film production over the past ten years, I would refer the Deputy to the published Annual Reports of the IFB, which list the film projects which received grants from the Board each year (see http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/reports/). I am informed that the extraction and compilation of the information requested by the Deputy into tabular form would involve a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources, especially those of the IFB, which could not be justified in the circumstances.
413. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular format the commitments under the programme for Government which her Department is responsible for; the progress made to date with regard to each commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32389/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to implementing the priorities set out in the Programme for Government and in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016, published by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on 11 July last.
The commitments in the Programme for Government for which my Department is directly responsible are outlined in the table below.
As the Deputy will be aware, reports on progress in relation to the Programme for Government are published periodically on the Department of An Taoiseach's website at
http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Work_Of_The_Department/Programme_for_Government/
|
1 |
We will make strategic policy formulation the primary function of the Department, with line agencies and bodies responsible for policy implementation |
|
2 |
We will encourage the Arts Council to continue to dedicate resources to touring in order to protect the State’s investment in regional arts infrastructure around the country and to bring cultural tourism opportunities to towns and villages across the country |
|
3 |
We will work with stakeholders in the arts community to develop new proposals aimed at building private support of the arts in Ireland exploring philanthropic, sponsorship or endowment fund opportunities |
|
4 |
We will make the Culture Night Initiative a twice yearly event, and introduce a National Lottery Funding Anniversary Day, whereby all facilities which have received funding from the National Lottery will open their doors to the public free of charge. |
|
5 |
We will also review the opening times of our national cultural institutions |
|
6 |
We will develop a cultural plan for future commemorative events such as the Centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016 |
|
7 |
We will promote genealogical tourism by updating the National Cultural Institutions Act in relation to the Genealogical Office to put it on a proper statutory footing, modernise its operations and to enable publication of the 1926 census to stimulate genealogy tourism |
|
8 |
We will also explore philanthropic opportunities for the development of a national archives and genealogy quarter, providing easy access to archives and tapping into an area of cultural tourism which is of huge interest to the vast Irish Diaspora |
|
9 |
We will encourage greater cooperation between local authorities to provide assistance where possible for local authorities currently lacking a local authority Arts Officer due to recruitment restrictions and to cooperate in developing cultural tourism opportunities |
|
10 |
We will seek to capture some public good from NAMA by identifying buildings that have no commercial potential and which might be suitable as local facilities for art and culture |
|
11 |
Responsibility for policy-making will revert to the Department, while agencies will be accountable for implementing policy, assessing outcomes and value for money. |
|
12 |
We will support the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and will deliver on the achievable goals and targets proposed |
|
13 |
Gaeltacht regions will benefit from the jobs action plan outlined in this document. Under our proposals, we will deliver new job creation prospects to Gaeltacht regions. We will invest in energy, broadband and water infrastructure, creating the modern infrastructure needed to attract and support new businesses and jobs. We will also strongly support the potential for jobs in tourism and marine activities. We will continue to support the Irish language broadcasting and arts sector. |
|
14 |
We will review the Official Languages Act to ensure expenditure on the language is best targeted towards the development of the language and that obligations are imposed appropriately in response to demand from citizens |
|
15 |
We will review current investment and funding programmes that benefit Irish language organisations in order to achieve visible value for money for citizens and tangible outcomes on a transparent basis |
|
16 |
We will allow an exemption for domestic turf cutting on 75 national heritage area sites subject to the introduction of an agreed national code of environmental practices |
|
17 |
We will establish an independent mediation between all relevant stakeholders with specific objective of facilitating resolution to 55 special area of conservation designated bogs. |
|
18 |
We will establish an independent mediation to resolve outstanding issues associated with turf cutting on blanket bogs. |
