Written Answers Nos. 38-57
38. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has contacted the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, since her re-appointment to that post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19225/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the re-appointment of Theresa Villiers MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my working relations with Theresa Villiers have been very close and constructive, involving regular and in-depth engagement, in particular in the context of the Stormont House Agreement. I had a constructive telephone conversation with Secretary of State Villiers on the day of her re-appointment, 11 May, on our shared priorities and the challenges that lie ahead. In particular, we discussed the crucial work that remains to be done in implementing the Stormont House Agreement. I will also meet with her later today to discuss these matters and other matters of mutual interest and concern in more detail.
Last December the signing of the Stormont House Agreement demonstrated what can be achieved when the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties work together towards the shared aims of advancing the reconciliation agenda and building a more prosperous Northern Ireland. It is time to return to this work. I look forward to doing so in partnership with Secretary of State Villiers and in support of the power-sharing institutions in Belfast.
39. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Taoiseach the total expenditure on consultancy by his Department and the number of consultants engaged by his Department in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; the steps that have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years, and for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18968/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount of expenditure on consultancy by my Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was €112,890.24. The majority of this expenditure related to the EU Presidency in 2012 and 2013.
A table details the number of consultants engaged by my Department from 2011 to the end of 2014.
|
Year |
Name |
Details |
Amount paid per Year |
|
2011 |
QTS LIMITED |
Health and Safety Consultancy and Safety Statement 2011. |
€1,270.50 |
|
TOWERS WATSON (IRELAND) LTD |
Facilitation of ORP Workshops and Report - held end Nov 2011 |
€12,100.00 |
|
|
2012 |
QTS LIMITED |
Annual Safety Review to include Risk Assessment Nov/Dec 2011 and Full Review & Update of Safety Statement 2012 |
€1,270.50 |
|
CAROLINE ERSKINE |
EU Communication Advisory Service |
€25,830.00 |
|
|
2013 |
CAROLINE ERSKINE |
EU Communication Advisory Service |
€30,553.20 |
|
Q4 PUBLIC RELATIONS |
PR support for the Convention on the Constitution |
€18,500.95 |
|
|
2014 |
Q4 PUBLIC RELATIONS |
PR support for the Convention on the Constitution Plenary meetings |
€8,408.29 |
|
QTS LIMITED |
PEEP Assessment and disabled access review |
€2,091.00 |
|
|
RA CONSULTING |
Design and Implementation of a Staff Consultation Initiative |
€9,298.80 |
|
|
University College Dublin |
Leadership Development Programme |
€3,567.00 |
My Department has taken steps to reduce expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants. My Department undertakes competitive tendering for contracts in accordance with the Office of Government Procurement.
40. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach regarding his recent comments in Dáil Éireann on the Order of Business in respect of the Ballymurphy massacre, if any action was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19147/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe text of a draft All Party motion was circulated to Party Leaders for their consideration last week.
41. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he spoken, by telephone or otherwise, to the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, since the British Prime Minister's re-election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19149/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra42. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to speak to the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, regarding increased violence in the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19150/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.
I spoke with Prime Minister Cameron following his success in the UK elections to congratulate him on his appointment as British Prime Minister.
I expect to meet with the Prime Minister in the coming weeks to build on our very close relationship and to continue our work on sustaining and developing the strong and positive relationship that exists between our two countries.
I look forward to renewing our engagement on the full range of issues of common concern to the UK and Ireland, including all aspects of the current situation in Northern Ireland.
43. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his views regarding the planned referendum in the United Kingdom in 2017 regarding a possible exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; the actions Ireland is taking, in view of the fact the United Kingdom is our largest trading partner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19151/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra44. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his views that Ireland and the European Union should make changes to prevent the United Kingdom from leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19152/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra45. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the European Council agrees that more should be done to prevent the United Kingdom from leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19154/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, together.
Other EU Member States in the EU share Ireland’s strong desire for the UK to remain a member of the European Union. The European Council in June 2014 acknowledged that the UK’s concerns need to be addressed.
The new British Government is now committed to holding a referendum on the UK’s membership of the Union before the end of 2017. Our hope is that the British people will vote to remain in the European Union.
The EU is stronger with the UK as a fully committed member. Furthermore, as I have said before on several occasions, joint Irish-British membership of the EU has played an instrumental role in bringing our economies, peoples, and countries closer together. It has also played a significant part in supporting the peace process in Northern Ireland. A UK withdrawal from the EU would therefore be harmful to our interests and the strong relationship between our two Governments.
The challenge now is for the British Government to work together with all Member States and the EU institutions to help find a consensual basis for continued British membership of the EU. This is in everyone’s interests, including those of the EU itself. It is my intention that Ireland will play an active and constructive role in any negotiation process.
Much will depend on the detail of the UK’s proposals for EU reform and we look forward to soon learning more about what the British Government has in mind. Ireland has made it very clear that we are ready to consider the merits of sensible reform proposals that could improve the functioning of our Union. At the same time, we will be equally clear if we believe a proposal is undesirable or unachievable. We want to avoid any outcome that could undermine or otherwise adversely affect our Union.
The Government is determined to do all it can to help keep the UK in the EU. But we also recognise that we must be prepared for any scenario. That is why work is under way across Government to ensure that we fully understand the issues at stake.
My own Department is leading this work, in close cooperation with other Government Departments including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Finance.
46. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to, or met with, the leader of the Scottish National Party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19155/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the last British Irish Council Summit which was held in the Isle of Man in November. I hope to meet with her again at the British Irish Council Summit which is convening in Dublin next month.
47. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that the Office for National Statistics in the United Kingdom has, since 2011, systematically measured the personal well being of the population in order to gain a more complete picture of national well-being; if he sees merit in statistics of this type being gathered in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19269/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) conducted a pilot survey on the topic of subjective well-being in Quarter 3 of 2013 as part of the Quarterly National Household Survey. Respondents were asked to answer the following questions using a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 means 'not at all' and 10 means 'completely':
Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?
Overall, to what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?
Overall, how happy did you feel yesterday?
Overall, how anxious did you feel yesterday?
These are the same questions as are being asked by the Office for National Statistics in the United Kingdom.
The results of the survey are currently being analysed and it is expected that they will be published in a special release by the end of June. That release will also contain the results of a set of questions on volunteering which were asked in Quarter 3 of 2013 and cross-classifications between the two sets of results.
Depending on user interest in the results, the CSO will examine the possibility of repeating the survey on subjective well-being on a regular basis.
48. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach when the Central Statistics Office will begin to publish recorded crime statistics again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19479/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CSO will resume publication of quarterly Recorded Crime Reports in late June 2015.
Simultaneously, the CSO will publish the review of the quality of Garda recorded crime administrative data, identifying to the extent possible the statistical impacts as regards coverage and classification from the issues highlighted in the Garda Inspectorate Report.
49. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding social welfare thresholds and tax relief; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19683/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe means test for social assistance payments takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property (other than the home) and capital.
The social welfare code recognises the couple status of cohabiting couples and treats married and cohabiting couples in a similar manner. This situation is long-standing at this stage. The EEC Equality Directive 79/9 and the subsequent Supreme Court case (Hyland v Minister for Social Welfare, 1989) led to the change in treatment of non-married cohabiting couples in the social welfare code. The Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for the total income a married couple received in social welfare benefits to be less than the couple would have received if they were not married and cohabiting. The current treatment of married and cohabiting couples in the welfare system is in line with this judgement.
The treatment of cohabiting couples for the purposes of taxation is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
50. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the way an overpayment occurred in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the amount of the overpayment; if the person can appeal the decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19164/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overpayment occurred as the person in question was absent from the State between the dates of 5 September 2012 to 19 February 2013 while still in receipt of disability allowance (DA) contrary to the conditions for receipt of that scheme. The person in question failed to inform the department of this change.
The person concerned was notified on 15 January 2014 of the decision to disallow DA for the period that he was absent from the State and that an overpayment of €5,116.80 was being assessed against him as a result of this revised decision. He was given the option to request a review or to appeal that decision within 21 days of that notification. He did not avail of either option.
The department will be in contact with the person concerned in relation to proposals for the recovery of this debt. He will be given the opportunity to respond to these proposals.
51. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19192/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3 March 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.
52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will accept a late appeal against the decision to refuse mortgage support in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare, whose support was withdrawn, if an oral hearing will be arranged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19202/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in previous replies to the Deputy, the most recent being PQ 15/5296, the documents outstanding to enable this case to be reviewed were set out to the client in letters from the Department on 16th May 2014, 6th August 2014 and 4th September 2014. The client was written to again on 5 February 2015 requesting outstanding information and indicating that if this was not received within 21 days no further review would be possible. As nothing further was received from the client a further letter was issued on 10 March, 2015 stating that the opportunity for a review has now closed.
53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress in determining an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19205/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 13 January 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on 1 April 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO).
The additional medical evidence submitted with your representations will be treated as a review request from the person in question. The review of the decision to disallow IP will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. If the decision to disallow is confirmed, the person in question will retain the right to appeal to the SWAO.
54. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently examine a review of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19211/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 14 April 2015, 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.
55. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has not received a reply regarding a request to review the decision reached by her Department to reduce a farm assist payment that was lodged in January 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19214/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to revise the means assessment in this case and, thereby, allowing the appeal of the person concerned.
Following the successful appeal, the person concerned submitted additional correspondence seeking a review of the revised means assessment. Appeals Officer has agreed to review his decision and the person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.
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.
56. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she has considered extending social protection supports, including jobseeker's benefit and illness benefit, to self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19251/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelf-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 maternity benefit, adoptive benefit and guardians payment (contributory).
Self-employed workers may also 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.
In September 2013, the report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare on Extending Social Insurance Coverage for the self-employed was published. The Group was asked to examine and report on issues involved in extending social insurance coverage for self-employed people in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable, with the requirement that any proposals for change must be cost neutral.
The Group found that the current system of means tested jobseeker’s allowance payments adequately provides cover to self-employed people for the risks associated with unemployment. In this context, the Group noted that almost 9 out of every 10 self-employed people who claimed the means tested jobseeker’s allowance during the three-year period from 2009 to 2011 received payment. Consequently, the Group was not convinced that there was a need for the extension of social insurance for the self-employed to provide cover for jobseeker’s benefit.
The Advisory Group also considered that it would not be appropriate to extend social insurance to the self-employed for short-term illness supports, such as illness benefit. In making this determination the Advisory Group acknowledged that some self-employed people could continue to obtain an income while suffering an illness whereas an employee, experiencing a similar illness, might not. Furthermore, control difficulties might arise with a self-employed person self-certifying their non-participation in their business. On the other hand, the Group found that extending social insurance for the self-employed is warranted for cases related to long term sickness or injuries and recommended that Class S benefits should include the invalidity pension and the partial capacity benefit for an additional mandatory contribution.
Any decision to change these provisions in relation to self-employed persons would be a matter for Government to consider in a Budgetary context.
57. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the funding allocated to the school meals programme and the school books grant. [19277/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has allocated an additional €2 million for the school meals programme in 2015, providing a total allocation of €39 million. The programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations which benefits 207,000 children.
The additional €2 million will be used to increase payments to existing schools which are part of the Department of Education and Skill’s initiative for disadvantaged schools ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools’, (DEIS), with a focus on the provision of breakfast clubs. The Department is currently considering options regarding the allocation of the additional funding.
Funding of the school books grant scheme is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.
