Dara Calleary
Ceist:144. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach to provide the number of self-employed persons, in tabular form, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11846/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmployment Data
Ceisteanna (144, 145)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:145. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form, by county, the number of self-employed persons for the most recently available period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11868/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2014. Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Region. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable County estimates from the QNHS.
Table 1 shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment who are self-employed classified by NUTS3 Region in Q4 of 2014.
Table 1 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) who are self-employed classified by NUTS3 region, Q4 2014
|
Region |
Self-employed (with paid employees) |
Self-employed (with no paid employees) |
Total self-employed '000 |
|
Border |
9.1 |
23.6 |
32.7 |
|
Midland |
6.0 |
13.8 |
19.8 |
|
West |
9.0 |
31.4 |
40.4 |
|
Dublin |
24.7 |
50.0 |
74.7 |
|
Mid-East |
10.2 |
26.6 |
36.8 |
|
Mid-West |
7.8 |
18.3 |
26.1 |
|
South-East |
11.8 |
27.6 |
39.4 |
|
South-West |
14.9 |
35.6 |
50.5 |
|
State |
93.4 |
226.9 |
320.2 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec;.
Northern Ireland Issues
Ceisteanna (146, 147)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:146. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, regarding the recent bombing in the North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11111/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMicheál Martin
Ceist:147. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, in February 2015, regarding the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11112/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
I met with Prime Minister Cameron on the margins of the EU Council on 12 February but we did not have the opportunity at that time to discuss any Northern Ireland related matters.
In relation to the recent bombing in the North, I assume the Deputy is referring to the pipe-bomb explosion in Crossmaglen on 26 February which seriously injured Francis McCabe as he tried to remove a booby-trapped poster from a lamppost. In the Dáil on 3 March I condemned unreservedly the attempt to murder Mr McCabe.
Minister Flanagan is in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Teresa Villiers and spoke most recently to her regarding the Stormont House Agreement and Northern Ireland related issues on 19 March. Minister Flanagan also met with Secretary of State Villiers on 11 February in Dublin and reviewed progress made at the first implementation and review meeting of the Stormont House Agreement in Belfast on 30 January.
National Risk Assessment
Ceisteanna (148)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:148. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when his Department will publish the 2015 National Risk Assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11356/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is currently planned that the Government will publish a draft National Risk Assessment 2015 in April for public consultation and will publish a final version in June.
Freedom of Information Data
Ceisteanna (149)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:149. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions since the start of 2014 on which the Secretary General of his Department was involved in the clearing or approval of material for release under freedom of information legislation. [11806/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Responsibility for decisions in relation to records to be released or withheld under Freedom of Information is delegated to individual decision makers in my Department. All Freedom of Information requests received are processed in line with the guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the recently published Code of Practice. The Secretary General is consulted in relation to requests involving records in his Office and is provided with copies of records being released. A list of FOI requests on hand in the Department is also circulated regularly to senior managers, including the Secretary General, for information.
Gender Recognition
Ceisteanna (150)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:150. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Gender Recognition Bill 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11252/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issues raised in relation to the Gender Recognition Bill 2014 have been the subject of detailed consultation, discussion and debate with representative groups, legal and medical experts and public representatives.
The provisions of the Bill have evolved and progressed since the publication of the initial recommendations by the Gender Recognition Advisory Group in 2011.
Pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection in 2013 led to further recommendations which have been incorporated into the Bill.
The provisions contain some very significant advances on previous proposals and compare very favourably with the equivalent legislation in many other countries in Europe.
The Bill was passed by the Seanad on 17th February 2015. Following the debate at Second Stage in the Dáil on 5th March 2015, it was announced that, with the agreement of Cabinet, my Department will begin consultations in relation to the possible inclusion of General Practitioners in the validation process. If a satisfactory conclusion is reached the intention would be to bring amendments in the Dáil in due course. It remains my intention that this much needed civil rights legislation will be passed this year.
The transcripts of the Seanad and Dáil debates which will provide further details on the provisions of the Bill are available at www.oireachtas.ie.
Departmental Offices
Ceisteanna (151)
Sean Conlan
Ceist:151. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the directions given to locate offices in Ballybay, County Monaghan for the administrative arrangements for the public service card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11267/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In July 2012, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) staff based in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan were redeployed to DSP.
Sanction had been provided to Department of Social Protection (DSP) by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to acquire additional staff to support the PSC function.
As all staff based in the building in Ballybay were transferring at that time to DSP, these staff took on the administrative arrangements for the Public Service Card and the Office of Public Works (OPW) reassigned occupancy and day-to-day responsibility for the building from DAFM to DSP.
Social Insurance
Ceisteanna (152)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:152. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to rectify the situation whereby persons who are subject to class K pay-related social insurance at the 4% rate or to class S are not entitled to certain social welfare payments when unemployed; her further plans to ensure those whose pay-related social insurance contributions do not entitle them to social insurance benefits and payments are, in future, made fully aware of the option of making voluntary contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11332/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Generally persons between 16 years and under pensionable age are liable to PRSI on all of their different forms of income.
From 1 January 2011 class K PRSI applies to the income derived from the holding of a public office for certain public office holders provided that the income exceeds €5,200 a year (€100 a week). This was introduced as a measure of solidarity with other workers. Those whose income is less than €100 per week do not pay PRSI and return their income under PRSI class M. All public office holders are liable to pay the contribution regardless of age.
All workers pay PRSI on their earnings from employment or self-employment. In the case of individuals who have more than one income source, PRSI is generally paid on all forms of income.
Up to 2013 certain exemptions applied to specific groups. The removal of the exemption in relation to modified rate contributors with income from a trade or profession was introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 and the removal of the exemption in respect of employed contributors and occupational pensioners under age 66 years whose only additional income is unearned income was introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2013.
This means that, with effect from 1 January 2014, unearned income such as rental income, investment income, dividends and interest on deposits and savings of the individuals who were previously exempt, is liable to PRSI at 4% provided the person is a chargeable person in accordance with the Revenue definition.
A chargeable person does not include a PAYE taxpayer (i) who does not have other income or (ii) who has an element of other insignificant income that is fully taxed through the Office of the Revenue Commissioners PAYE system (Revenue regard amounts not exceeding €3,174 as insignificant). Individuals with income exceeding €3,174 must pay and file under Revenue's self-assessing system.
This income is chargeable at the class K PRSI rate of 4%. This PRSI charge does not give rise to any additional social insurance benefits. Individuals may however qualify separately for social insurance entitlements based on PRSI paid on other sources of income i.e. PRSI paid on income from their employment.
Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory) as well as guardians payment (contributory), maternity benefit and adoptive benefit. Ordinary employees who have access to the full range of social insurance benefits pay class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI class A. (For employees earning less than €356 per week, the rate of employer's PRSI is 8.5%).
Self-employed workers who find themselves out of business and become unemployed or ill may access social welfare supports by establishing eligibility to assistance-based payments such as jobseeker's allowance and disability allowance. In the case of jobseeker's allowance they can apply for the means-tested jobseeker's allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. As in the case of a non-self-employed claimant for jobseeker's allowance or disability allowance, the means of husband/wife, civil partner or co-habitant will be taken into account in deciding on entitlement to a payment.
If income from self-employment falls below €5,000 in a contribution year or a person is unable to work, he or she may opt to pay voluntary contributions.
To become a voluntary contributor a person must:
- have paid at least 468 weeks PRSI (since 6 April 2014) in either employment or self-employment,
- apply within 12 months of the end of the tax year during which he/she last paid compulsory insurance or were last awarded a credited contribution,
- agree to pay voluntary contributions from the start of the contribution week that follows the week in which he/she leaves compulsory insurance.
To become a voluntary contributor on or after 6 April 2015 a person must have previously paid 520 weeks PRSI.
My Department undertakes advertising and awareness activities to ensure that all members of the public are made aware of their rights and entitlements and that they are kept informed of significant changes and improvements in schemes and services as they occur.
Information on the full range of social welfare schemes and services is available from the Department's INTREO/local office network and the nationwide network of Citizens Information Centres. In addition, many people access information on the Department's and Citizen Information Board's websites.
Mortgage Debt
Ceisteanna (153)
Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:153. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of borrowers in mortgage arrears who have availed of financial advice from independent accountants, available under the protocol of the Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11077/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service (MAIAS) was established to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to assist people in mortgage arrears or pre-arrears in assessing their options. The service, which differentiates between mortgage information and mortgage advice, has three elements:
- The website www.keepingyourhome.ie which was developed as the key online access portal for general mortgage information and advice and launched in June 2012. To date there has been over 337,000 visits to the site.
- The Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline (phone 0761 074050) established in August 2012, provides general mortgage arrears information and signposting in relation to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and other supports available for those in mortgage arrears or pre-arrears. To date the helpline has dealt with almost 13,000 calls.
- The service to provide independent financial advice to mortgage holders who are being presented with long term mortgage resolution proposals by their lenders was launched in September 2012. The advice is provided by a panel of accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland. A county by county panel with over 1,500 participating accountants is in place and their contact details are available on www.keepingyourhome.ie. Borrowers are free to choose their own advisor from this panel and the lender will pay €250 to the accountant of the borrower's choice for the provision of this independent financial advice.
The Central Bank collates the information relating to the number of borrowers who have availed of the independent financial advice service on a quarterly basis, commencing in quarter 1 2013. The data supplied does not relate exactly to the reporting period as there will be delays between the time the lender makes the long-term resolution offer to the borrower, the meeting with the accountant and the receipt by the lender of the invoice. At the end of Q4 2014, 1,207 borrowers have availed of the independent financial advice service.
Carer's Allowance Eligibility
Ceisteanna (154)
Jack Wall
Ceist:154. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in the assessment of carer's allowance if a circumstance (details supplied) applies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11098/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a payment to people on low incomes who are looking after a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). To be entitled to CA the applicant must be providing full-time care and attention to a person in need of care who does not normally live in an institution.
A person cannot qualify for carer's allowance in respect of any week s/he is engaged in employment, self-employment, training or educational courses outside the home for more than 15 hours a week.
One-Parent Family Payment Payments
Ceisteanna (155)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a payment under the one-parent family payment scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11124/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The one parent family (OPF) payment of the person concerned is currently suspended and under review, as following a visit by an inspector it was established that she had moved address and had not notified this Department. The last OPF payment made to the person concerned was on the 19/03/15. The person concerned is due to be visited at her new address in the near future and will be informed of the outcome of the review once completed. The person concerned can if required make an application for supplementary welfare allowance to their local Community Welfare Officer.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (156)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:156. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11125/15]
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 24th February 2015. 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.
Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (157, 185)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:157. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent supplement allowance in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11129/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinian McGrath
Ceist:185. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding support in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11348/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 185 together.
The person concerned was in receipt of rent supplement from this Department from 10th December 2012 in respect of his family's accommodation at their recent address. This claim was subject to periodical review. At the time of the most recent review in August 2014, the amount of rent payable by the person concerned, as stated in his review form, was €1000 per calendar month. Prior to him making a telephone call to the Rents Unit on 9th March 2015 in which he advised that he and his family had already moved out of their rented accommodation, the Department was unaware that his rent had further increased, or that he and his family had left their accommodation. Consequently his claim for rent supplement was then closed. In addition the person concerned stated that he did not wish to make a new application for rent supplement or have an information pack sent to him.
Had the Department been aware earlier of their circumstances this family would have been referred to the housing charity Threshold under the Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol. This would have enabled the family's housing needs to be addressed prior to them moving from their accommodation, and a recommendation would have been made to the Department with regard to their claim for rent supplement.
The person concerned and his family are being provided with emergency temporary accommodation by the local authority who are presumably looking, via a Housing Action Team (HAT), for more suitable long-term accommodation. If this is to be in the private rented sector then he should contact the Department, directly or via the HAT, to claim rent supplement payment.
Local Employment Service
Ceisteanna (158)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:158. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the work undertaken by the County Kildare Local Employment Service Network in view of the fact that the network spent approximately €170,000 in training costs for unemployed clients in 2014; the reason that she has allocated a mere €78,157.00 for training interventions in 2015; if she accepts that this massive cut will have an extremely negative impact on the service which supported 4,500 clients in 2014; if she will rectify the situation by restoring funding to an adequate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11133/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no change in the total amount of funding that is available to the Local Employment Service (LES) network for 2015.
Until 31st December 2014, all LESs had access to two funds which enabled them to financially assist clients with the cost of certain training and other supports. The Technical Support Grant Fund (TSG) provided for specified training and education supports and the Mediator Fund offered small grants to assist with the removal of barriers to employment.
In order to rationalise the grant process the Department decided that from the 1st January 2015, all LES would have access to a single fund (a new Mediator Fund), and that the level of funding allocated across all LES would be equivalent to the total LES expenditure year from both the Mediator and TSG funds for last year.
This new consolidated Mediator Fund has been allocated between LES contractors on the basis of the number of clients with whom they are contracted to engage in 2015 and having regard to their actual expenditure of Mediator funds in 2014.
The Department will monitor the arrangements during the year and will consider revising individual LES allocations within the overall budget limit based on actual expenditure trends and clients served.
Question No. 159 withdrawn.
Community Employment Schemes Places
Ceisteanna (160)
Clare Daly
Ceist:160. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is appropriate that the Intreo website is offering a community employment scheme (details supplied) in north County Galway for water meter installers. [11148/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The position advertised on the Jobs Ireland website refers to a vacancy on a community-owned group water scheme maintained as part of a Community Employment project. The group water scheme is a non-profit making entity and its sole function is to supply water to its members in the area in question. The duties for the advertised position include the construction of water meter identification posts and concrete meter caps, along with general maintenance and the repair of faulty meters and leaks, for the local group water scheme. The wording “water-meter installer” is not the most appropriate description of the vacant position and should have been described as “maintenance worker”. The actual vacancy has been taken down from the website and it is intended to re-advertise with a more appropriate title.