Written Answers Nos. 1-20
1. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the numbers on the live register and the percentage of the workforce unemployed for each quarter since the beginning of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38351/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection. Table 1 shows the number of persons on the Live Register over the period January 2010 to September 2014. It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment and unemployment in the State. The Q2 2014 estimates are the most recent QNHS figures available. Table 2 shows the number of persons unemployed and the unemployment rates from Quarter 1 2010 to Quarter 2 2014.
Table 1 The number of persons on the Live Register from January 2010 to September 2014
|
2010 |
- |
|
January |
436,936 |
|
February |
436,956 |
|
March |
435,121 |
|
April |
432,657 |
|
May |
437,922 |
|
June |
452,882 |
|
July |
466,824 |
|
August |
466,923 |
|
September |
442,417 |
|
October |
429,553 |
|
November |
425,002 |
|
December |
437,079 |
|
2011 |
- |
|
January |
442,677 |
|
February |
444,299 |
|
March |
441,193 |
|
April |
439,571 |
|
May |
440,947 |
|
June |
457,948 |
|
July |
470,284 |
|
August |
469,713 |
|
September |
437,441 |
|
October |
430,432 |
|
November |
429,567 |
|
December |
434,784 |
|
2012 |
- |
|
January |
439,589 |
|
February |
439,422 |
|
March |
434,054 |
|
April |
430,001 |
|
May |
432,907 |
|
June |
451,974 |
|
July |
460,323 |
|
August |
456,256 |
|
September |
429,335 |
|
October |
420,172 |
|
November |
417,277 |
|
December |
423,733 |
|
2013 |
- |
|
January |
429,396 |
|
February |
428,876 |
|
March |
425,088 |
|
April |
417,593 |
|
May |
421,737 |
|
June |
435,357 |
|
July |
441,976 |
|
August |
435,280 |
|
September |
408,670 |
|
October |
396,512 |
|
November |
391,507 |
|
December |
395,411 |
|
2014 |
- |
|
January |
399,630 |
|
February |
398,069 |
|
March |
391,232 |
|
April |
388,559 |
|
May |
388,764 |
|
June |
398,813 |
|
July |
404,515 |
|
August |
398,325 |
|
September |
370,050 |
Source: CSO Live Register
Table 2 Persons aged 15 years and over classified as unemployed (ILO) and unemployment rates from Q1 2010 to Q2 2014
|
Quarter |
Unemployed ('000) |
Unemployment rate % |
|
Q1 10 |
284.1 |
13.1 |
|
Q2 10 |
305.1 |
13.9 |
|
Q3 10 |
310.6 |
14.1 |
|
Q4 10 |
310.9 |
14.3 |
|
Q1 11 |
307.6 |
14.3 |
|
Q2 11 |
317.4 |
14.6 |
|
Q3 11 |
328.1 |
15.1 |
|
Q4 11 |
313.9 |
14.5 |
|
Q1 12 |
321.9 |
15.0 |
|
Q2 12 |
323.0 |
15.0 |
|
Q3 12 |
324.5 |
15.0 |
|
Q4 12 |
294.6 |
13.7 |
|
Q1 13 |
292.0 |
13.7 |
|
Q2 13 |
300.7 |
13.9 |
|
Q3 13 |
282.9 |
13.0 |
|
Q4'13 |
253.2 |
11.7 |
|
Q1 14 |
258.1 |
12.0 |
|
Q2 14 |
254.5 |
11.8 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';
Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar, q2=Apr-Jun, q3=Jul-Sep, q4=Oct-Dec.
2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of contracts of indefinite duration that have been sought and the number granted in the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in the public sector under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38951/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra3. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of temporary contracts in place for the public sector as a whole, including State agencies and other bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38952/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
In 2009 one contract of indefinite duration was offered by my Department for the post of Librarian with the approval of the Department of Finance. No other contracts of indefinite duration were sought or granted from 2007 to date in my Department.
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). In 2014 NESDO offered 3 contracts of indefinite duration with the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
There are currently five temporary contracts in place in respect of my Department or bodies under the remit of my Department.
4. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Taoiseach the contribution of and the value of the pharmaceutical sector to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38953/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table illustrates the trend in real growth in Pharmaceutical sector. Total real value added increased from €10.45 bn. in 2008 to €16.75 bn. in 2013 an increase of over 60%. The plateau in Total Pharmaceutical Sector value added in 2011 - 2012 and the decline in 2013 reflect the impact of the so called "pharma cliff" where a large number of patents for block buster drugs produced in Ireland expired. Nevertheless the significance of the sector remains at 10.6% of total GVA for the economy in 2013 and the latest data for the first two quarters of 2014 indicate a return to growth. As the vast majority of this sector is foreign owned the main impact of GVA produced is the employment effect, this is illustrated in the table on employment in this sector set out below. Despite the impact of the patent cliff employment in the sector continued to grow in 2013 to 35,390 from 32,644 in 2012.
Table 1: Pharmaceutical Sector Gross Value Added (GVA) in €millions at Constant Basic Prices (chain linked annually and referenced to year 2012)
|
NACE REV.2 section |
NACE REV.2 division |
Description |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
CD-CF |
19 - 21 |
Total pharmaceutical Sector GVA |
10,450 |
12,842 |
16,158 |
17,488 |
17,599 |
16,749 |
|
- |
- |
Pharmaceutical sector contribution to Total Economy GVA. |
6.6% |
8.5% |
10.7% |
11.2% |
11.2% |
10.6% |
Table 2: Pharmaceutical Sector Employment - Full Time Equivalents (FTE) (all in employment) - annual average over four calendar quarters
|
NACE REV.2 section |
NACE REV.2 division |
Description |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
CD-CF |
19 - 21 |
Total pharmaceutical Sector Employment (FTE) |
31,982 |
30,541 |
34,659 |
33,441 |
32,644 |
35,390 |
|
Pharmaceutical sector contribution to Total Employment. |
1.6% |
1.7% |
2.1% |
2.0% |
2.0% |
2.1% |
5. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach his views on making a junior Minister responsible for drugs, considering the seriousness of the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38954/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health has responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy. This role includes chairing the Oversight Forum on Drugs, which is responsible for the high-level monitoring of progress being achieved under the Strategy. Any questions on progress with the Strategy and related issues are a matter for the Minister.
6. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of the commissions of investigation, inquiries and similar investigations established under his Department during the past 12 months, or being considered for establishment during the next 12 months; in each case, the persons conducting the inquiry; and the timeframe envisaged, including start and end dates. [39260/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 February 2014, the Government appointed John Cooke, a retired judge of the High Court, to conduct an independent inquiry into reports of unlawful surveillance of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The inquiry was completed on 4 June 2014.
On 27 February 2014, the Government appointed Sean Guerin, Senior Counsel, to conduct an independent inquiry into allegations made by Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe and related matters. The inquiry was completed on 6 May 2014.
On 30 April 2014 the Government made an order establishing a Commission of Investigation to investigate certain matters relative to An Garda Síochána and other persons. Mr. Justice Nial Fennelly, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, is the sole member of the Commission of Investigation, which, under its terms of reference is to report no later than 31st December 2014, subject to section 6(6) of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.
7. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of all State board appointments since general election 2011; the person who recommended each appointment; the credentials of those appointed; if the vacancy was publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39288/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department. The board of NESDO is currently comprised of the Chair and Deputy Chair of the NESC, both of whom are civil servants from my Department and serve in an ex-officio capacity.
Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993 sets out the composition and procedures for appointing the National Statistics Board. It states that the National Statistics Board shall consist of eight members comprising the following seven persons who shall be appointed by the Taoiseach:
- five persons of proven ability and experience in relevant fields - two of whom shall be nominated by the Taoiseach and three of whom shall be nominated by such organisation or organisations as the Taoiseach considers to be representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under this Act
- Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of the Taoiseach
- Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of Finance together with the Director General of the Central Statistics Office, ex officio.
Since 2011 there have been 10 appointments to the NSB as set out below. A vacancy was filled by an Assistant Secretary in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2012.
The term of appointment of the Board expired in 2013. The Chairperson, and the three Civil Servants serving in an ex-officio capacity were re-appointed. The remaining positions were advertised on the Department of the Taoiseach and NSB websites, and the vacancies were filled in March 2014.
|
Name |
Organisation |
Date of Appointment |
|
Mr. John Callinan |
Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach |
September 2012 Reappointed in October 2013 |
|
Dr. Patricia O'Hara |
NSB Chairperson, Adjunct Professor at the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NUI Maynooth |
October 2013 |
|
Mr. Michael McGrath |
Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance |
October 2013 to March 2014 |
|
Mr. Padraig Dalton |
Director General of CSO (ex-officio) |
October 2013 |
|
Mr. John McCarthy |
Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance [replaced Mr. Michael McGrath] |
March 2014 |
|
Ms. Rowena Dwyer |
Chief Economist - Irish Farmers Association |
March 2014 |
|
Mr. Tom Geraghty |
General Secretary, Public Service Executive Union |
March 2014 |
|
Dr. Helen Johnston |
Senior Social Policy Analyst, National Economic and Social Council |
March 2014 |
|
Mr. Gerard O'Neill |
Chairman, Amárach Research |
March 2014 |
8. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of persons who are on public or Civil Service pensions and have been recruited for work on any basis, either permanent or temporary, under the remit of his Department in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39553/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2013 I appointed a person who was in receipt of a public service pension, as Deputy Government Press Secretary and Head of the Government Information Service for 7 months, during which time his pension was abated in accordance with the Provisions of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.
One person who previously retired from the public service, and who is in receipt of a public service pension, is employed in an unestablished position by my Department. The person concerned is the Government Press Secretary and I selected him for this position in 2011, in accordance with the usual procedure for appointments to this post.
9. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to alter the system of providing rent allowance to introduce more flexibility; her views on the issues raised by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39007/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra30. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on rent allowance in private dwellings for persons on the housing list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39107/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 30 together.
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 73,500 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.
Despite pressures on the social protection budget, the last review of maximum rent limits in mid-2013 saw rent limits increase in line with market rents in some areas, including Dublin and Galway, with Dublin limits increasing by a weighted average of 9%.
The Department is currently reviewing maximum rent limits. However, the current difficulties in the rental market and the difficulties faced by prospective tenants, including those seeking access to rent supplement, is a shortage of supply of suitable properties in areas of high demand. I would be concerned that raising rent limits is not the solution to the problem as it is likely to add to further rental inflation and impact, not alone on rent supplement recipients, but also on many lower income workers and students. The Government has recently launched its Construction Strategy with the aim of increasing housing supply generally.
I can assure the Deputies that officers administering rent supplement throughout the country have considerable experience in dealing with customers and make every effort to ensure that their accommodation needs are met. Discretionary powers are available to staff to award a supplement for rental purposes in exceptional cases where it appears that the circumstances of the case so warrant. A notice reminding staff of their statutory discretionary power to award a supplement for rental purposes in exceptional cases, for example, when dealing with applicants who are at risk of losing their tenancy was circulated in July 2014.
In view of the current supply difficulties, the Department has agreed a tenancy sustainment protocol with the Dublin local authorities and voluntary organisations so that families on rent supplement who are at risk of losing their accommodation can have more timely and appropriate interventions made on their behalf. Since the launch of this initiative in mid-June 2014, almost 140 families have had their rent supplement claims revised by the Department.
The Department's strategic policy direction is to transfer responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with a long-term housing need to local authorities under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). HAP is being introduced to provide a more integrated system of housing supports and has been designed to allow any households that find full-time employment to remain in the scheme.
HAP was introduced in Cork County Council, Limerick City and County Council and Waterford City and County Council on 15th September, 2014 and in South Dublin County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Monaghan County Council and Louth County Council on 1st October, 2014. Department of Social Protection officials are working closely with those in the lead Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to support the implementation of HAP within the selected local authorities.
In areas where HAP is in operation, rent supplement will continue to be paid to new clients who are already in the private rented sector but who, generally because of a loss of income through unemployment, require short term income support in order to pay their rent. Arrangements are also being made with the relevant local authorities to transfer existing customers, in receipt of rent supplement for periods of 18 months or more, to HAP. These measures will return rent supplement to fulfilling its original intention of being a short term support.
10. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when the legislation dealing with gender recognition legislation is expected to be finalised in the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39132/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revised General Scheme of the Gender Recognition Bill 2014 was published on 17 June 2014. This is important legislation which will deliver on the commitment contained in the Programme for Government to provide transgender persons with legal recognition.
Drafting of the detail of the legislation is now being pursued as a priority within the Department in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Bill is on the 'A' list of legislation in the Government's Autumn 2014 Legislative Programme.
In light of the priority accorded to this legislation it is envisaged that the Gender Recognition Bill 2014 will be published by the end of the current Oireachtas session in 2014 and that it will be introduced in the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity in 2015.
11. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38851/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 18 September 2014. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity, the person's circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
Any person who is awaiting a decision on their disability allowance application may apply for means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from their local community welfare officer.
12. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if exceptional needs payments are granted to persons to assist with setting up home when allocated local authority houses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38875/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra13. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide guidelines in relation to exceptional needs payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38876/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department of Social Protection may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Government has provided €31.3 million for the ENP scheme in 2014.
A review of the guidelines on exceptional needs payments was carried out during 2012 by a working group of staff from the Department's community welfare service. One of the recommendations emanating from this review was to address the different approaches taken, in different areas, to the payment of ENPs. This review has been used as a basis for revised guidelines that issued to staff in 2012 and 2013, recommending maximum amounts payable under the scheme for a variety of household and personal items, to ensure consistency with regard to payment levels on a national basis including assistance in setting up home in local authority allocated housing. A copy of these guidelines has been provided to the Deputy.
Traditionally local authorities have provided social housing to tenants on an unfurnished basis and it was the responsibility of the tenant to furnish the property. These units were by and large units either built or purchased by local authorities. Where a tenant cannot furnish such a property from within his/her own resources he/she can apply for an exceptional needs payment to assist them in furnishing the property.
The provision of local authority housing has been refocused toward providing accommodation by way of leasing. It is not considered appropriate that ENPs would be provided for furnishing local authority leased accommodation.
There is no automatic entitlement to a payment or pre-determined amounts under the scheme. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The guidelines assist Departmental staff and do not limit the discretionary powers available to officers administering the scheme to assist an individual or household in any particular hardship situation which may arise. Officials in the Department continue to review the issue of payments under the ENP scheme to ensure consistency and fairness.
14. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a supplementary welfare allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38906/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 24th September 2014, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the 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.
17. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she expects the planned Intreo office to open in a town (details supplied) in County Cork; if it is planned to move the current social welfare office to the location of the Intreo service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38920/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe roll-out of Intreo services in the town in question is targeted for Q1 2015 and will operate from two locations, with the Local Office remaining in its current location. The Office of Public Works has reached agreement with the HSE on a suitable property in the town for the second location required to accommodate the employment activation element and some other services. A planning application has been made to Cork County Council, and subject to no appeals and subsequent delays, it is expected that works will commence at this property in late 2014 for completion in early 2015.
18. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38929/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5th August 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.
19. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38957/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer's decision
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.
20. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when the new community welfare office will be in place to service the Crumlin-Drimnagh-Walkinstown area (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and the location of same. [38990/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra22. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the staffing levels that will be in place if and when a new community welfare office opens in Crumlin, Dublin 12 (details supplied). [39002/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 22 together.
The Department continues to examine ways to make the delivery of welfare services as efficient as possible having regard to the resources available. The consolidation of smaller offices with limited opening times into a central unit that has an expanded range of availability is a model that has been successful in other areas. In this context, Community Welfare services for Dublin 12 are now being delivered through a hub in Charlemont Street with a team-based approach to case management.
The Charlemont Street Clinic delivers the full range of Community Welfare Services supplemented by a Community Welfare Service provided by Bishop Square Local Office for those clients applying for jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit and one parent family payment who require an interim payment.
The service offered from Charlemont Street provide for public opening hours of 10.00am to 12.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. This hub service is supplemented by home visits and by a phone and postal service. The staff and service is operated in a flexible manner to accommodate the needs of people experiencing difficulties in accessing Charlemont Street for mobility or other reasons.
As the Intreo model of integrated services is rolled out in this area the allocation of available resources to customer demand will be kept under review.
