Written Answers Nos. 140-155
140. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach his plans to continue to publish monthly statistics of the number of persons on the live register, in addition to the new monthly unemployment estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22183/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach his plans to continue to publish monthly statistics of the number of persons on activation courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22184/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
It is the intention of the Central Statistics Office to continue to publish the Live Register release, including the Activation Programmes table, on a monthly basis as well as the new Monthly Unemployment release.
The 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.
The Live Register release will be published two days after the publication of the new Monthly Unemployment estimates.
The number of people availing of a range of programmes targeted primarily at the long-term unemployed (over 12 months) and other welfare recipients (including Lone Parents) is provided for in the Live Register Activation Programmes table.
Persons on activation programmes are not counted as part of the monthly Live Register but the supplementary table will continue to be included in the monthly Live Register release one month in arrears.
142. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Taoisigh cé na bearta atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun an pobal a chur ar an eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ón Roinn agus ó na heagraíochtaí atá faoi choimirce na Roinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [21529/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs é an rud ar a ndíríonn obair Roinn an Taoisigh go príomha ná idirghníomhú le Ranna agus Gníomhaireachtaí eile Rialtais. Mar thoradh air sin, ní thugann an Roinn leibhéal suntasach d'éileamh ón bpobal ar sheirbhísí i nGaeilge faoi deara. Thug líon comhaltaí foirne sa Roinn le fios go bhfuil an inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge acu agus go bhfuil siad inniúil chun réimse seirbhísí a sholáthar i nGaeilge ar leibhéil áirithe chumais. Astu seo, sannadh beirt oifigeach ag a bhfuil ardleibhéal inniúlachta chun seirbhísí a sholáthar don phobal i nGaeilge, agus is leor an líon seo chun freastal ar an éileamh reatha. Aithníonn an Roinn an tábhacht a bhaineann le líon foirne a bheith ann atá líofacht acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá in ann seirbhísí a sholáthar i nGaeilge. I gcomhréir le beartas an Rialtais, sonrófar i scéimeanna teanga amach anseo de chuid na Roinne, faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, na poist ina mbeidh riachtanas inniúlachta sa Ghaeilge. Anuas air sin, is gné de Chairt Chustaiméirí na Roinne úsáid na Gaeilge, ina luaitear go bhfreastalófar ar chustaiméirí ar mian leo tabhairt faoina ngnó i nGaeilge.
143. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Taoiseach the processes undertaken by the Central Statistics Office in the recording and reporting of suicide statistics, including the collection of statistics from Garda stations through the form 104 process; the collection of such statistics from the Prison Service and the Central Mental Hospital; if there has been any recent internal or external review of the effectiveness and accuracy of the data collection and reporting process; the recommendations of any such review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22125/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSuicide is defined as the act of intentionally killing oneself. The classification of a death as suicide is based on a Coroner's report and, where necessary, a report from the Garda that attended the scene. All deaths, whether natural or unnatural must be registered with the General Registration Office (GRO).
The average annual number of deaths over the five year period from 2007 to 2011 was approximately 28,000. In many cases the cause of death is known, i.e. the deceased was under the care of a doctor etc. In these cases the doctor can fill out the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death in a relatively straightforward manner as the cause was generally an illness or sickness the deceased suffered.
However in approximately 20% of all cases (5,000 to 6,000 cases annually) the cause of death is not immediately known and the case is referred to a Coroner. Deaths from sudden, unexplained, violent and unnatural deaths must be reported and investigated by the Coroner. The Coroner is an independent office holder with responsibility under the law for the medico-legal investigation into these types of deaths.
The Coroner's investigation may require a post-mortem examination, sometimes followed by an inquest. The Coroner's inquiry will establish whether death was due to natural or unnatural causes. If death is due to unnatural causes then an inquest must be held by law. Approximately 30% of all cases referred to the Coroner undergo a post-mortem examination and/or and inquest (some 1,500 to 1,800 cases each year). The death will be registered by means of a Coroner's Certificate when the inquest is concluded (or adjourned in some cases).
A Form 104 is issued to the Gardaí in respect of most inquest cases. This form is sent to the Divisional Inspector of the relevant location where the death occurred and is then redirected to the Garda that attended the scene of the death. The Form 104 collects additional information on the circumstances\location of the death and the information returned on this form is strictly confidential.
The Garda completing the Form 104 provides his/her opinion as to whether the death was an accident, homicide, suicide or undetermined and then that is taken into consideration by the mortality coder in the CSO. If there is no mention of suicide on the Coroner's certificate and the Garda states that in his\her opinion the death was as a result of intentional self-harm, the cause of death code is attributed to suicide by the mortality coder in the CSO. Conversely, if the Coroner's certificate states that death was by suicide and he\she provides enough information to attribute an accurate cause of death code then it is not necessary to issue a Form 104 to Gardaí.
The mortality coder in the CSO uses the information from both the Form 104 and the Coroner's certificate to assign the detailed external cause code that described the type and nature of the accident, homicide, suicide or undetermined death. In cases where a completed Form 104 is not returned, the cause of death is coded based solely on the Coroner's certificate.
The CSO codes the exact cause of death using World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases and related health problems 10th edition (ICD-10). All death records are given an ICD-10 cause of death code and the code is assigned in accordance with the medical evidence of cause of death detailed on the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death or the Coroner's Certificate.
If there is any doubt about the accuracy of a cause of death code it is flagged for manual intervention by a mortality coder in the CSO who will visually inspect the details. All inquest cases (which always include any possible suicides) are always flagged and selected for manual intervention for coding by a mortality coder.
There are also a series of edits included in the data capture system that will highlight certain cause of death codes for further checking and correction where necessary. Where hanging is mentioned on the certificate, the mortality coder always attributes an external cause of death i.e. suicide and intentional self-harm to the record.
The CSO does not collect statistics from the Prison Service or the Central Mental Hospital but collects data from the GRO and the Garda.
The National Suicide Research Foundation carried out a study on inquested deaths in Ireland in 2007. The recommendations of this report were reviewed and, with the exception of the review of the form 104, were outside the remit of the CSO. The form 104 was reviewed by the CSO and found fit for purpose. The CSO, in collaboration with the National Suicide Research Foundation, established the CSO Liaison group on Suicide Mortality Statistics in 2015. The remit of this group is to review processes and documentation relating to suicide statistics but no recommendations have been made yet.
144. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of commissions of investigation established under the aegis of his Department during the term of the current Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22226/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of commissions of investigation under the aegis of his Department which have yet to complete and publish their reports; if he will provide a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22227/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of commissions of investigation established under the aegis of his Department, in tabular form, since the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 came into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22261/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together.
The following table contains details of the Commissions of Investigation established for which the Taoiseach has responsibility for overseeing administrative matters relating to their establishment, for receiving their reports and for performing any other functions given to him under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.
|
Name of Commission of Investigation |
Chairman |
Date of Establishment |
|
|
1 |
Commission of Investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings of 1974 |
Patrick McEntee, SC |
May 2005 |
|
2 |
Commission of Investigation (certain matters relating to An Garda Síochána and other Persons) |
Judge Nial Fennelly |
April 2014 |
The McEntee Commission's final report was published in April 2007.
As I informed the Dail previously, most recently on 21 April 2015 in response to parliamentary questions, under its terms of reference the Fennelly Commission was due to issue its final report by the end of 2014, subject to section 6(6) of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, which provides for an extension at the Commission's request.
In July 2014, Judge Fennelly advised me that it would not be possible to complete the full investigation by the end of last year but that it may be possible for him to submit an earlier interim report on items (n) and (o) of its terms of reference, if so requested by me.
In response, I formally requested that Judge Fennelly would submit that interim report, if he believed it to be feasible and appropriate, and I informed the Dáil of that request.
In November 2014, Judge Fennelly submitted a detailed progress report to me and formally requested an extension of the timeframe for his full investigation until the end of 2015. I agreed to the extension of the overall timeframe.
It is solely a matter for the Commission to complete its final and interim reports, in accordance with the procedures set down in the Act. When the Commission's interim and final reports are received they will be published in accordance with the law.
147. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the progress arising from the commitment to an intensive programme of work made in the implementation of the Joint Statement by the Irish and British Governments, which was published on 12 March 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the progress made since the publication in June 2013 of the Joint British-Irish Economic Study, arising out of the March 2012 Joint Statement by the Irish and British Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22302/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings that have been held between the Secretary General of his Department and the Cabinet Secretary to take forward the work of the Joint Statement by the Irish and British Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22305/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings that have been held involving the Secretary General of his Department and the Cabinet Secretary with the relevant lead Departments, as committed to in the March 2012 Joint Statement by the Irish and British Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22306/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the progress made using the North-South bodies, the British-Irish Council standing secretariat and private sector networks, as committed to in the Joint Statement by the Irish and British Governments in March 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22308/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of summits held between him and the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, as committed to under the Irish-British Joint Statement of March 2012; if he will publish reviews that were carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22309/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 152, inclusive, together.
In March 2012, Prime Minister Cameron and I agreed a Joint Statement setting out a ten year vision for ever closer bilateral cooperation between Ireland and Britain.
The Joint Statement also sets out arrangements for Secretaries General and Permanent Secretaries to work together. There have been three annual plenary meetings of this Group since 2012 in addition to sectoral bilateral meetings. The next plenary meeting is due to take place in September.
These meetings provide a platform to continuously assess progress, map out future work programmes, and look ahead to the next Annual British-Irish Summit.
The Prime Minister and I remain committed to meeting at these annual summits to review and oversee progress in the joint work. Three such annual reviews have taken place to date and the next Summit will take place in London on 18 June.
One of the key outputs from the Joint Statement was the publication in July 2013 of the Joint (British Irish) Economic Study Report which highlights areas for further joint action and has fed into the work programme of the Secretaries General and Permanent Secretaries Group.
There have been significant developments on progressing recommendations outlined in the Joint Economic Study. Examples include further collaboration in R&D to maximise access to Horizon 2020 funding; collaboration to unblock barriers to trade in agri-food products, sharing of best practice on CAP implementation and the successful completion of a joint trade mission, including Ministerial representation from Northern Ireland, to the Singapore Air Show and Exhibition in February 2014.
Through the framework of the Secretaries General/Permanent Secretaries work programme, there have been other significant achievements, including the joint visit to the war graves in Flanders to honour Irish and British soldiers who died in the First World War, and the roll out of common travel area visa arrangements in 2014.
Cooperation on EU and wider international issues is a significant feature of the Joint Statement.
Bilateral meetings at Secretary General/Permanent Secretary level have also taken place between the Irish and Northern Irish Administrations. The March 2012 Joint Statement also commits the two Governments to continue to work in close co-operation on Northern Ireland issues. There is very close and ongoing engagement between the relevant administrations in relation to these matters, as evidenced in the recent talks leading to the Stormont House Agreement. There are ongoing official bilateral links with Northern Ireland in addition to engagement on the areas of North/South Co-operation that are progressed through the North South Ministerial Council.
The review of the work of the British Irish Council will also examine the scope for better synergies between its work and that of the Secretaries General-Permanent Secretaries Group.
153. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach if he will list, in tabular form, meetings on the proposed European Union-United States of America transatlantic trade and investment partnership, or any of the other names by which these negotiations have been known, by his departmental officials with interested parties; with whom they were held and the date on which they took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22466/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is a proposed comprehensive trade and investment agreement currently under negotiation between the European Union and the United States. Given the importance of the American export market to the Irish economy and companies, the Government supports an ambitious TTIP agreement. The decision to open the TTIP negotiations was taken during the 2013 Irish Presidency by the Foreign Affairs (Trade) Council under the chairmanship of Minister Bruton and he has lead responsibility for this matter.
My Department's officials discuss TTIP on a regular basis both formally and informally with their counterparts from other capitals and administrations, as well as with representatives of EU embassies and the US embassy in Dublin as a matter of course. The subject is also of course discussed across Government Departments. TTIP also arises in my contacts with other leaders, and is regularly discussed at the European Council. It also featured, naturally, during my visit to Washington for St. Patrick's Day when I discussed it with President Obama and US Trade Representative Froman.
Given the potential benefits of TTIP to Irish exporters and in particular SMEs, I hope that significant progress can be made before the end of 2015 that will allow an agreement to be concluded before President Obama leaves office. An ambitious and comprehensive agreement will benefit economies on each side of the Atlantic, promoting job creation, economic growth and investment while reaffirming the importance of our relationship with the United States.
154. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a self-employed person may choose to pay the minimum contribution in order to put on a Class S PRSI contribution, even if his or her income is below the reckonable limit, in view of the fact that the guidelines do not state that such persons cannot be held insurable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21319/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelf-employed workers pay PRSI at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum payment of €500, provided their annual income from self-employment exceeds €5,000. Self–employed persons with income below €5,000 cannot opt to pay the minimum Class S payment and remain a Class S contributor.
However, former Class S contributors can opt to become a voluntary contributor, subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions. Voluntary contributions for the self-employed are paid at a flat rate of €500. Voluntary contributions provide cover for the State Pension Contributory, Widow/er's and Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension and Guardian's Payment Contributory. One of the conditions of the scheme is that application to become a voluntary contributor must be made by the end of the contribution year subsequent to the contribution year in which they ceased to be compulsorily covered.
155. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the funding available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 who is pursuing a National Qualifications Authority of Ireland level 5 course and requires additional expenditure in addition to course fees to cover course materials. [21697/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the funding and assistance available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17, in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, who is undertaking a National Qualifications Authority of Ireland course and faces extra expenditure to cover the costs of the course. [21698/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 205 together.
The person has applied for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) which is currently under consideration. The Social Welfare Intreo Office will be in direct contact with the person concerned regarding their application. The person concerned currently receives activation support from Northside Local Employment Services and their Case Officer/Mediator will be able to discuss the options in relation to possible funding support for the course fees. However, there is no provision under the scheme for support for resource materials or apparel.
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), as the single grant-awarding authority for student grants, processes all new applications for grants. If the person has not already done so, it is open to them to apply for a SUSI grant towards their fees and costs. The person concerned may find the website www.studentfinance.ie useful for further information and supports in relation to student grants and assistance.
