Robert Troy
Ceist:21. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will reinstate the widow's pension to the original payment in budget 2015. [38991/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2015
Ceisteanna (21)
Freagraí scríofa
The allocation for the Department of Social Protection in 2015, including the allocations for the Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (contributory and non-contributory), will be announced on Budget Day, October 14.
Question No. 22 answered with Question No. 20.
Family Income Supplement Application Numbers
Ceisteanna (23, 24)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:23. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the number of civil and public servants in receipt of a family income support payment. [39008/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeadar Tóibín
Ceist:24. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the percentage of working households in receipt of a family income support payment. [39009/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
The family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide support for employees, with families, who have low earnings.
FIS recipients at end September 2014:
|
Number in receipt Sept 2014 |
Number of Children being claimed for Sept 2014 |
Number of Public Servants end Sept 2014 |
% of FIS recipients who are Public Servants |
% of working households in receipt of FIS |
|
48,493 |
107,695 |
3,816 |
7.9% |
8% |
There has been a steady growth both in the number of families supported by FIS over recent years and associated expenditure with numbers in receipt of FIS rising from 26,000 families in 2009 to some 48,000 by the end of September 2014. Expenditure on the FIS scheme is estimated to be €281.7 million in 2014, an increase of €20 million over 2013 figures.
A Department of Social Protection estimate, based on the Quarterly National Household Survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office, gave the number of households with children present and at least one adult working as 585,000 for quarter 2, 2014.
At end the end of quarter 2 there were 46,267 people in receipt of FIS. This gives the percentage of working households in receipt of FIS as almost 8%.
At the end of September 2014 there were 48,493 people in receipt of FIS of which 3,816 were public servants. The number of children for which FIS is being claimed for is 107,695 at the end of September 2014.
It should be noted that the number of civil servants who are receiving FIS is included in the figure for public servants. A separate breakdown for civil servants is not currently available, due to the way that data is captured on the department's computer data base for FIS applicants.
One-Parent Family Payment Appeals
Ceisteanna (25)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:25. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for a one-parent family payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and when they may expect a decision on their case. [39023/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned together with the relevant Departmental papers were received by that office on 08th August 2014 and that the case 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 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.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (26)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:26. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will outline to Dáil Éireann the names and addresses of all those she appointed to State boards, committees, commissions and inquiries, and all other appointments within her remit, since she was appointed to her current Ministry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39039/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Details of appointments to the boards/committees/commissions/inquiries made since March 2011 are set out in the following table.
|
Board |
Name of Person |
|
Citizens Information Board |
Mr. Eugene McErlean Mr. David Stratton (CIB Staff representative) Ms Fiona Ward (Tánaiste's representative, senior official, Department of Social Protection -resigned) Ms. Simonetta Ryan (Tánaiste's representative, senior official Department of Social Protection -replacement) |
|
Pensions Authority-established March 2014 (formerly the Pensions Board) |
Ms. Jane Williams, Chairperson Dr. Orlaigh Quinn (Tánaiste's representative, senior official, Department of Social Protection -resigned) Ms. Anne Vaughan (Tánaiste's representative, senior official, Department of Social Protection - replacement) Ms. Ann Nolan (Minister of Finance representative, senior official, Department of Finance) |
|
Pensions Board (up to March 2014) |
Nil |
|
Social Welfare Tribunal |
Mr. Colin Walker Ms. Chris Rowland Mr. Don O'Higgins Mr. Michael Carr Mr. Fergus Whelan |
Other appointments
Details of other appointments with the remit of the Minister for Social Protection since March 2011:
|
NAME |
POSITION |
STATUS |
|
Mr. Edward Brophy |
Special Adviser |
(has since been appointed to new role) |
|
Ms. Kathleen Barrington |
Press Adviser |
(resigned) |
|
Mr. Paul O Brien |
Press Adviser |
(has since been appointed to new role) |
|
Ms. Karen O'Connell |
Personal Assistant |
(has since been appointed to new role) |
|
Ms. Irene Martin |
Personal Secretary |
(resigned) |
|
Ms. Irene Shelley |
Personal Secretary/Temporary Clerical Officer |
(temporary appointment) |
|
Ms. Elaine Dooley |
Personal Secretary |
|
|
Mr. Gerard Mc Carrick |
Civilian Driver |
(resigned) |
|
Mr. Vincent Cahill |
Civilian Driver |
(made redundant) |
|
Ms. Irene Martin |
Civilian Driver |
(made redundant) |
|
Ms Irene Shelley |
Civilian Driver |
(temporary appointment) |
As Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection from 4 July 2014 to date the following were appointed:
|
NAME |
POSITION |
|
Mr. Edward Brophy |
Chief of Staff |
|
Mr. Terry Quinn |
Economic Adviser |
|
Ms. Karen O'Connell |
Special Adviser |
|
Ms. Claire Power |
Special Adviser |
|
Ms Laura Bambrick |
Personal Assistant |
Note 1: It is not possible to release the addresses of appointees as they are considered to be personal information under the Data Protection legislation.
Note 2: Appointments of civil servants to posts reserved by legislation for civil servants are excluded from this reply.
Exceptional Needs Payment Eligibility
Ceisteanna (27)
Arthur Spring
Ceist:27. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the means by which funding for assistance with funeral expenses may be issued; the amount the applicant may have in savings and the way an applicant's means is assessed. [39041/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses. In 2014, the Department has supported over 2,000 applicants with financial assistance towards these costs, at a cost of €3.4 million.
An ENP is a means tested payment 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 applicant and that of the deceased person including any savings, property, insurance policies, etc. The Department official will also consider if a bereavement payment is available from any other source including former employer, credit union or trade union.
Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an ENP under the SWA scheme should contact the Department.
Question No. 28 withdrawn.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (29)
Pat Breen
Ceist:29. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39098/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned was notified on the 10th October 2014 that her domiciliary care allowance application was successful and that the allowance has been awarded from 1st August 2014.
Payment of the allowance, along with arrears due, will be available in the nominated bank account on the 21st October 2014 and on the third Tuesday of each month thereafter.
Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 9.
National Internship Scheme Funding
Ceisteanna (31)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:31. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Laois who is on JobBridge and living away from home may receive expenses to cover accommodation or travel costs associated with getting to and from their work in view of the extra costs that will be involved in taking up this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39130/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
JobBridge interns receive a €50 weekly top-up in addition to their Social Welfare payment. This acknowledges additional expenses that may be incurred in pursing an internship over and above those normally incurred in the course of a jobseeker's job search. The JobBridge General Guidelines state: "There is nothing to prevent a Host Organisation reimbursing an Intern for expenses incurred as part of the internship. However, expenses should not be provided for normal activities such as travel to and from the main location of the internship."
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (32)
John O'Mahony
Ceist:32. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39146/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 01st August 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 24th September 2014 and the case will be 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.
Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Ceisteanna (33)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:33. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is considering introducing new pensions legislation to protect former employees who deferred their pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39158/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Pensions Act provides for the preservation of benefits for members of occupational pension schemes who leave employment before their normal pensionable age for any reason, other than death, provided they satisfy certain qualifying conditions. The preserved benefit is a proportion of the long service benefit to which the member would have been entitled if he or she had remained in employment until normal pensionable age.
If a members long service benefit is provided for under the rules of the scheme on a defined contribution basis, then the value of the preserved benefit at the date on which it becomes payable is equal to the accumulated value of the appropriate contributions.
The preserved benefit which is payable from a defined benefit pension scheme will normally be revalued annually by the lower of 4% or the rate of change in the Consumer Price Index.
Section 50 of the Pensions Act provides for the restructuring of the benefits in a defined benefit pension scheme in situations where the scheme does not satisfy the scheme funding requirement as set out in the Pension Act. In the event that the trustees of a scheme are considering a restructure of scheme benefits under this provision, they can consider adjusting the benefits of both active and deferred scheme members. The Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Act 2013 extended the provisions in section 50 to include a portion of benefits payable to pensioners. Under this change, the pensioner benefits are protected up to €12,000 per annum, benefits over €12,000 and less than €60,000 can be reduced by up to 10% while benefits over €60,000 can be reduced by up to 20%.
These provisions in section 50 of the Act essentially provide for the sharing of the risk of scheme underfunding across all scheme members. The issue of how these changes might be applied is a matter for the trustees of a scheme who are required under trust law to act in the best interests of all scheme beneficiaries.
There are no plans at this stage to bring forward amending legislation to enhance the present provisions in the Act in relation to deferred scheme members.
Respite Care Grant Eligibility
Ceisteanna (34)
Clare Daly
Ceist:34. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will revise the criteria of the respite care grant in order to enable those who work more that 15 hours a week to be able to avail of the payment, as in many instances these persons do provide full-time care. [39214/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Respite Care Grant (RCG) is an annual payment of €1,375 for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention.
The full-time care provision is moderated by permitting the carer to work or engage in education or training for a maximum of 15 hours per week.
This moderation of the full time care provision represents a reasonable balance between meeting the requirement for providing full-time care for the care recipient and the needs of the carer to engage in employment or education. It also serves the additional purpose of reducing the social alienation experienced by many carers.
I have no plans to change the conditionality around the maximum hours at this time.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (35)
Brian Walsh
Ceist:35. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39220/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 01st October 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.
Disability Allowance Renewals
Ceisteanna (36)
Michael Ring
Ceist:36. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [39221/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 7 July 2014.
Further medical evidence has been received in this case and the application is under review. The person concerned can expect a decision on the review of her disability allowance application within five working days.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (37)
Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:37. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39272/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27th 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.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (38)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:38. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [39287/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority (formerly the Pensions Board), the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a Board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Details of appointments to the Boards made since March 2011 are set out in the following tables.
There were no appointments to the Pensions Board in the period from March 2011 to March 2014. The Board is known as the Pensions Authority since 7 March 2014.
Citizens Information Board (CIB)
|
State Board/Agency Appointment |
Person who recommended Appointment |
Credentials of those appointed |
Was the vacancy publicly advertised |
|
Eugene McErlean |
Appointed by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD |
Solicitor by profession, having banking and legal experience. |
Yes, on both the Department's website and on the Public Appointments Service website. |
|
Fiona Ward |
Appointed by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD |
Department of Social Protection Senior Official |
No, did not require public advertisement - a representative of Department of Social Protection |
|
David Stratton |
Appointed by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD |
Citizens Information Board Staff Member |
No, did not require public advertisement -elected representative of Citizens Information Board staff |
|
Simonetta Ryan |
Appointed by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD |
Department of Social Protection Senior Official |
No, did not require advertisement - a representative of the Department of Social Protection |
Pensions Authority- established 7 March 2014 (formerly the Pensions Board)
|
State Board/Agency Appointment |
Person who recommended Appointment |
Credentials of those appointed |
Was the vacancy publicly advertised |
|
Ms. Jane Williams (Chairperson) |
Appointed by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD. |
Previous Chairperson of the Pensions Board |
No |
|
Ms. Anne Vaughan |
Appointed by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD |
Deputy Secretary in the Department of Social Protection |
No |
|
Ms. Ann Nolan |
Appointed by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D. on recommendation of Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, TD. |
Second Secretary in the Department of Finance |
No |
Social Welfare Tribunal
|
State Board/Agency Appointment |
Person who recommended Appointment |
Credentials of those appointed |
Was the vacancy publicly advertised |
|
Ms. Chris Rowland |
Irish Congress of Trade Unions |
See note below. |
No |
|
Mr. Colin Walker (Chairperson) |
Labour Court |
Chairperson is recommended to Minister by Labour Court based on their suitability for the role as Chairperson. |
No |
|
Mr. Don O'Higgins |
Irish Business and Employers Confederation |
See note below. |
No |
|
Mr. Fergus Whelan |
Irish Congress of Trade Unions |
See note below. |
No |
|
Mr. Michael Carr |
Irish Business and Employers Confederation |
See note below. |
No |
Note: Under section 333 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 the Social Welfare Tribunal shall consist of a chairperson and four ordinary members. Two of the ordinary members shall be persons representative of workers and nominated for appointment by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The two other ordinary members shall be persons representative of employers and nominated for appointment by an organisation representative of employers. These members are nominated by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC).
Departmental Staff Rehiring
Ceisteanna (39)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:39. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection 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 her Department in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39552/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined as follows.
The Department's Chief Medical Advisor was retained beyond his retirement date of 29th February 2012. The decision to re-employ the Chief Medical Advisor was taken due to his specific skills and his involvement in the policy reform of the illness related schemes, the difficulty and long lead-in time for replacing his skills, and the critical importance of ensuring continuity and a high level of service to customers of the Department. The Department held a competition to replace the Chief Medical Adviser in late 2013, however, no candidate was deemed suitable at interview. The position is being re-advertised again this week.
As an exception to the current moratorium on recruitment, the Department has limited sanction to recruit temporary clerical officers to cover critical staff absences and to assist with the roll-out of the new Public Service Card. There are currently two temporary staff members who are retired civil servants occupying these posts.
The Pensions Authority and the Citizens Information Board come under the remit of the Department. Two retired public servants were re-hired by the Pensions Authority in 2011; one at Higher Executive Officer level and one at Assistant Principal Officer level. Both individuals were recruited directly by the Pensions Authority, on three year fixed-term temporary contracts. The Citizen's Information Board had one former staff member hired on a contract for service basis from October to December 2013.
In all of these cases the rules governing abatement of pensions are applied.