Finian McGrath
Ceist:163. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Taoiseach his plans to request the British Government to release the files on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20817/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin-Monaghan Bombings
Ceisteanna (163)
Freagraí scríofa
I intend to raise the release of files on the Dublin Monaghan bombings by the British Government with Prime Minister Cameron when I meet with him over the coming weeks. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan also took the opportunity last week to remind the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Teresa Villiers of previous commitments made to look afresh at what the British Government could do to respond to the Dáil motions in relation to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
I met with Margaret Urwin of the Justice for the Forgotten Group last Thursday 21 May where we discussed the issue. My officials remain in ongoing contact with the Justice for the Forgotten Group.
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (164)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:164. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Taoiseach the number of public and civil servants who were recruited under the aegis of his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21114/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The following table gives details of the number of Civil Servants recruited under the aegis of my Department in 2014.
|
Number of staff recruited under the aegis of my Department in 2014 |
Grade |
|
2 |
Administrative Officer |
|
4 |
Temporary Clerical Officer |
|
1 |
Temporary Librarian |
|
1 |
Services Attendant |
Departmental Staff Redeployment
Ceisteanna (165)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:165. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Taoiseach the number of public and civil servants under the aegis of his Department that were seconded abroad or to another Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21131/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Five Civil Servants under the aegis of my Department were seconded to another Department in 2014. No Civil Servants under the aegis of my Department were seconded abroad in 2014.
Departmental Staff Retirements
Ceisteanna (166)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:166. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Taoiseach the number of public servants under the aegis of his Department that retired in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21150/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Three Civil Servants retired from under the aegis of my Department in 2014.
Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Ceisteanna (167)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:167. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to re-evaluating the defined benefit pension schemes to increase compliance, when only 49% of defined benefit pension schemes are in compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20123/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am very aware of the funding difficulties which have been encountered by the employers and the trustees of defined benefit pension schemes in recent years.
The Pensions Act requires the trustees of a pension scheme to maintain sufficient assets to meet the liabilities of the pension scheme in the event of its wind-up. The trustees are required to report the funding position of a scheme to the Pensions Authority on a regular basis. If a scheme fails to meet the funding requirement, the trustees are required to submit a funding proposal to the Pensions Authority setting out how it is proposed to restore scheme funding.
This funding requirement was suspended following the downturn in financial markets in 2008. In the meantime, a number of both administrative and legislative measures were introduced to support employers and trustees of pension schemes in responding to the funding challenge. Following a review of the defined benefit pension model, I introduced legislation in 2012 which required the trustees of pension schemes to maintain an additional level of funding in the form of a ‘risk reserve’ to protect the pension entitlements of scheme members against future volatility in financial markets. Pension schemes are required to have this level of funding in place by 2023. Following this change to legislation in 2012, the funding requirements set out in the Pension Act were re-introduced.
The Pensions Authority is working with the trustees of pension schemes to achieve sustainable pension provision. At the end of 2014, 60% of defined benefit pension schemes were in compliance with the funding requirements set out in the Pensions Act. All except for 30 schemes of the remainder have agreed funding proposals. The Pensions Authority is in intensive dialogue with the trustees of these outstanding schemes.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (168)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Ceist:168. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has co-ordinated with actuaries to reconsider the standards of practice and the life tables in relation to retirement, due to the fact that as many as 200,000 persons are expecting to receive retirement income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20124/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Liabilities of a pension scheme can broadly be split between pensions currently payable to pensioners and deferred pension entitlements (i.e., for all active employees and former employees who have not yet reached retirement age and have future pension entitlements from the scheme). The cost of pensions in payment can be determined by reference to the cost of an equivalent annuity or annuities. The value of deferred pension entitlements is taken as the individual transfer values to which each member would be entitled on the date he or she transferred out of a scheme.
The trustees of a defined benefit pension scheme are required to maintain sufficient assets in a pension scheme in order to meet the liabilities of the scheme in the event of a wind-up of the scheme. This requirement is often referred to as the Funding Standard. For the purposes of the Funding Standard, assets must be valued at their realisable value.
A scheme actuary who is valuing the assets and liabilities of a pension scheme for the purposes of determining whether it complies with the Funding Standard must comply with Actuarial Statements of Practice issued by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland and with Statutory Guidance issued by the Pensions Authority. These statements of practice and statutory guidance which reference the life tables are updated periodically and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Social Protection. Work in this regard, therefore, involves the Society of Actuaries in Ireland, the Pensions Authority and the Department.
Farm Assist Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (169)
John McGuinness
Ceist:169. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an interview will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow in relation to an application for farm assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20593/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned applied for farm assist on 23 March 2015 and his application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. The Inspector completed her report on 20 May 2015 and on 21 May 2015 his claim was awarded. The first payment, including arrears was issued on 25 May 2015.
Social Insurance
Ceisteanna (170)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:170. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the amount of additional money that would be raised in a year for the social insurance fund if a new band of employer's PRSI was introduced on weekly income exceeding €1,923 at the rate of 19.75%; if a new rate of employer's PRSI was introduced on weekly income exceeding €1,635 at the rate of 19.75%; if a new rate of employer's PRSI was introduced on weekly income exceeding €1,346 at the rate of 19.75%; if a new rate of employer's PRSI was introduced on weekly income exceeding €1,058 at the rate of 19.75%; if a new rate of employer's PRSI was introduced on weekly income exceeding €769 at the rate of 19.75%; if a new rate of employer's PRSI was introduced on weekly income exceeding €481 at the rate of 19.75%; and if a new rate of employer's PRSI was introduced on all weekly income at the rate of 19.75%. [20649/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled in the Department and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
JobsPlus Scheme
Ceisteanna (171)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:171. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 does not qualify for the JobsPlus scheme, for which the person's employer, for three days a week during the school day, is considering applying to employ the person on full-time days. [19825/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees from the Live Register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years – paid in monthly instalments provided the employment is maintained. The rate of payment depends on the length of time the person is unemployed.
In order for JobsPlus to be paid, both the employer and employee must meet the eligibility requirements. A jobseeker who is working casually must be in receipt of jobseekers’ payment for at least 312 days in the previous 18 months for the employer to receive the lower level of subsidy of €7,500 over two years or at least 624 days in the previous 30 months for the employer to be to be eligible for the higher payment of €10,000 over two years.
Having looked at the details supplied, the jobseeker does not have the requisite number of days in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment as set out above and, therefore, the employer cannot receive the incentive.
Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility
Ceisteanna (172)
Jack Wall
Ceist:172. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a child dependant rate on a jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19850/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The child dependant rate has been restored for the person concerned. Payment, including arrears, will issue with her next one-parent family payment on 21 May 2015.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (173)
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:173. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19866/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer's allowance (CA) is a payment made to persons who are providing full time care and attention to certain elderly people or to people with disabilities and whose income falls below certain limits. The principal conditions for receipt of the allowance are that full time care and attention is required and being provided, and the means test which applies is satisfied.
The department informs me that there is no application for CA by the person concerned currently registered. However I have arranged for an application form (CR1) to issue, which the person concerned should complete and return as soon as possible. Upon receipt of a fully completed application form and any necessary supporting documentation the person concerned will be notified of the position regarding their eligibility.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Ceisteanna (174)
John McGuinness
Ceist:174. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a submission made to her Department in the case of the estate of a person (details supplied); and if the issues raised by the family will be considered. [19871/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 15 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.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (175)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19883/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned was disallowed on 29 April 2015 on the grounds that she does not satisfy the medical conditions for DA.
The person in question was advised of the decision, the reasons for it and of her rights to request a review or to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date neither option has been exercised.
Social Welfare Benefits Data
Ceisteanna (176)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of Irish citizens refused access to welfare, based on a failure to satisfy the habitual residence condition, in each of the past five years. [19896/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is not available. Information relating to disallowances of returning Irish emigrants is not captured during the claim decision making process. However, information pertaining to overall disallowances on the grounds of the habitual residency condition including those disallowances relating specifically to Irish nationals is contained in the attached tabular statement.
Claims disallowed under Habitual Residence Condition, 2010 – 2014
|
Year: |
2010* |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Irish Disallowances |
650 |
455 |
428 |
264 |
240 |
|
Total Disallowances |
5,906 |
4,494 |
2,817 |
2,844 |
2,558 |
*Please note that figures for 2010 are incomplete due to industrial action.
Please note that 2012 to 2014 figures do not contain Carers Allowance
Question No. 177 withdrawn.
Jobseeker's Benefit Payments
Ceisteanna (178)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:178. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have transitioned from jobseeker's benefit to jobseeker's allowance in County Donegal, in tabular form, for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19938/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
Jobseeker's Benefit
Ceisteanna (179)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:179. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the annual cost to the State of extending jobseeker's benefit from nine months to 12 months; of increasing payments to those with less than 260 pay-related social insurance contributions from six months to nine months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19939/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Based on current recipient numbers the estimated full-year cost of increasing the duration of jobseeker’s benefit to 12 months for recipients with 260 or more contributions paid is €33 million, and to 9 months for recipients with less than 260 contributions paid is some €6 million. Combined this equates in a full year to approximately €39 million.
Social Welfare Code
Ceisteanna (180, 181)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:180. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the regulations in which the manner of the application to become an insured person paying contributions, referred to as a voluntary contributor, and the period within which it must be made, are prescribed. [19959/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael McNamara
Ceist:181. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the changes to the voluntary contributions system introduced since 2011. [19960/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
The purpose of the voluntary contribution scheme is to protect the pension entitlements of those who have already qualified for State pension, by maintaining the yearly average number of contributions which determines the rate at which the pension is paid. A person under pension age who ceases to be covered by compulsory social insurance may opt to become a voluntary contributor, provided they have at least 520 PRSI contribution weeks paid in either employment or self-employment.
The rates at which voluntary contributions are payable are based on the last PRSI contribution paid by or credited to the individual and are outlined in the following table.
|
Type of Voluntary Contribution |
Amount Payable |
Minimum Annual Payment |
If you paid PRSI at Class |
|
High Rate |
6.6% |
€500 |
A, E, H |
|
Low Rate |
2.6% |
€250 |
B, C, D |
|
Special Rate |
Flat rate of €500 |
Flat rate of €500 |
S |
The manner in which a person may apply to become a voluntary contributor and the period within which an application must be made are set out in Articles 28 to 37 of Social Welfare (Consolidated Contribution and Insurability) Regulations 1996 (SI 312 of 1996), as amended. These regulations require that:
- The application must be made within 12 months after the end of the contribution year in which the person ceased to be covered by compulsory insurance;
- A person who wishes to become a voluntary contributor must agree to pay voluntary contributions from the start of the contribution week that follows the week in which they left compulsory insurance or in the case of a self-employed person from the beginning of the year following that in which they ceased to be a self-employed contributor;
- The applicant must furnish evidence of his/her reckonable income in order to calculate the amount of the voluntary contribution to be paid.
The following changes have been made to the voluntary contribution scheme since 2011:
- In 2012, the minimum rate payable at the high rate increased from €317 to €500 and at the low rate from €126 to €250. The flat rate payable was also increased from €253 to €500.
- In 2012, measures were introduced to increase the number of qualifying contributions required to become a voluntary contributor from 260 to 520 contribution weeks which was implemented on a phased basis over 3 years between April 2012 and April 2015.