Tuesday, 16 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 207-220

Departmental Staff Expenses

Ceisteanna (207)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

207. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments, staff taxi payments; if her Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23687/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The total amount spent on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments by my Department for the period 2011 to 12 June, 2015 is outlined in the following table.

Description	2011	2012	2013	2014	up to 12 June 2015	Total
Subsistence	€1,188,212	€1,575,093	€1,554,823	€1,503,576	€546,114	€6,367,818
Taxi	€34,552	€92,739	€107,352	€39,417	€14,220	€288,280

Staff in the Department are paid travel (not included in above table) and subsistence expenses where such costs are incurred wholly and exclusively in the course of a person’s business. This does not attract benefit in kind. Travel and subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with Civil Service rules and regulations. Where taxi costs are paid wholly and exclusively in the course of a person’s business they are not subject to benefit in kind. Given the nature of the Department's business significant numbers of staff incur travel and subsistence expenses in carrying out their duties.

In 2011 and 2012 BIK payments were made to staff working in the IS Services area in respect of travel. Staff in receipt of these BIK allowances were paid through the Department’s payroll and were subject to PAYE and PRSI deductions. These BIK allowances were reviewed in 2012 as part of the review of all BIK allowances requested by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) and as a result these allowances subject to BIK were withdrawn on 31st December 2012.

Currently the Department makes no payments that are subject to BIK.

No tax compliance audits have or are being conducted by the Revenue Commissioners.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (208)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

208. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, for each year, all external consultant reports commissioned by her Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [23703/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.

The Department engages consultants (individuals or organisations) to provide intellectual or knowledge based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice) including the delivery of reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals that contribute to decision making or policy making.

The Department is engaged in a number of service delivery modernisation and transformation programmes involving business process, organisational and technological change. These programmes are supported by the procurement of separate external development services (IT external service provision) as well as engagement of external consultants to provide strategic technical advice. A breakdown of the annual expenditure on consultancy & IT external service provision for previous years is available on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Procurement-Policy.aspx.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. A second table below sets out the working environment reports procured in relation to facilities management. I am satisfied that the engagement of consultants provides valuable support to the Department and that the reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals produced contribute to decision making and policy making and are compliant with best practice in realising value for money.

Report	Name of Consultants	Commissioned	Publication Date	Cost €
Social Inclusion Forum – Conference Report	Aidan Lloyd	Mar- 2015	Q3 2015	€1,650
Policy and practice report: Key lessons learned from the Ballymun Youth Guarantee Project	NUI Maynooth	Jan - 2015	Mar - 2015	€11,135*
Evaluation of the Disability Activation Project	Indecon International Economic Consultants	Feb -2015	To be determined following completion of the review	€29,520
Review of the EmployAbility (Supported Employment) Service	Indecon International Economic Consultants	Jan - 2015	To be determined following completion of the review	€59,280
Confidential Forensic Services	Rits	Mar-2015	Internal Management Report	€11,480
Windows Tablet PC Hardening Review (Limited Scope) Windows Laptop PC Hardening Review (Limited Scope) Windows Phone Device Hardening Review (Limited Scope)	Deloitte	Mar-2015	Internal Management Report	€4,151
Project coordination of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Work Positive Framework	Sharon Gallagher	Mar- 2015	December 2015	€3,000
Technical review of rent supplement under the Equal Status Acts.	Mel Cousins & Associates	Mar-2015	Internal Management Report	€18,000
Microfilm Condition Report	Martin Bradley, Archives and Records Management Consultant	Nov -2014	Internal Management Report	€1,691
Report on the effectiveness & efficiency of the guidance model used during Youth Guarantee Pilot	NUI Maynooth	Nov-2014	Internal Management Report	€14,145*
Ex-ante Evaluation to support the preparation of the Operational Programme for the European Fund for the Most Deprived 2014-2020	Mel Cousins & Associates	July-2014	Internal report required by EU Regulation (EU) No 223/2014	€16,000
Assessment for Application Lifecycle Management	Microsoft Ireland	May-2014	Internal Management Report	€22,586
Confidential Forensic Services	Rits	Apr-2014	Internal Management Report	€2,340
Confidential Forensic Services	Rits	Apr-2014	Internal Management Report	€4,201
Security Partner Services - IT Forensics	Deloitte	Mar-2014	Internal Management Report	€2,398
Identification & containment of malicious software	Deloitte	Apr-2014	Internal Management Report	€15,699
Social Inclusion Forum – Conference Report	Aidan Lloyd	Mar-2014	Dec-2014	€1,650
Analysis & Measurement of Poverty & Social Exclusion 2014 programme: 1. Transitions into and out of household joblessness using CSO SILC data 2. Measuring Irish joblessness: The SILC and LFS data sources	ESRI	Q1-2014	1. Q3-2015 2. May-2015	€80,000
Evaluation Research (Back to Education Allowance)	ESRI	Nov-2013	Internal Management Report	€24,809
Social Welfare Appeals Office – Research into Revising Decisions	Mel Cousins & Associates	Dec -2013	Internal Management Report	€2,400
Evaluation of the Youth Guarantee Pilot	Franklin Research Ltd	Oct- 2013	Jan 2015	€20,000*
Report on Organisation Development	Axiom Consultants	Sept- 2013	Internal Management Report	€122,692
Auto Enrolment & Applicability to Ireland (Pensions)	TOR Financial Consulting Ltd.	Mid-2013	Internal Management Report	€9,900
Advisory report on implementation of European Youth Guarantee in Irish circumstances	Organisation for Economic co-operation & Development (OECD)	Sept- 2013	Jan-2014	€50,000
A Review of In-work Supports for the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare	Mel Cousins & Associates	July-2013	TBC	€10,000
Delivery of Administrative Profiling Models to Identify those at Risk of Labour Market Disadvantage	ESRI	July-2013	June-2014	€33,745
Analysis & Measurement of Poverty & Social Exclusion (AMPSE) 2013 programme: 1. Social Transfers & Poverty in Boom & Recession (for 2013 annual report) 2. Indicators of Economic Strain in the Great Recession (for 2013 technical paper)	ESRI	June-2013	1. Dec-2013 2. Apr-2014	€67,979
Diet Supplement Diet Costing’s Update	Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute	Apr-2013	Sep-2013	€4,000
Social Inclusion Forum – Conference Report	Aidan Lloyd	Mar-2013	Sep-2013	€1,500
Mobile ApplicationsOpportunity Exploration	Accenture	Feb-2013	Internal Management Report	€33,388
Contracted Employment Service Model	Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion	Nov-2012	Internal Management Report	€140,989
Report on Pension Priority Order	Mercer	Sep-2012	Feb-2013	€18,450
Developing system architecture for the National Employment & Entitlements Service	Compass Point	June-2012	Internal Management Report	€4,600
Evaluation of JobBridge (National Internship Scheme)	Indecon International Economic Consultants	Apr-2012	Apr-2013	€59,555
Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund	KPMG	Feb-2012	Jun-2012	€153,750
FÁS IS Applications Systems Review	Accenture	Jan-2012	Internal Management Report	€44,772
Analysis & Measurement of Poverty & Deprivation 2012: 1.Work & Poverty in Ireland: An Analysis of CSO Survey on Income & Living Conditions 2004-2010 (2012 annual report) 2. Technical Paper on Poverty Indicators – [Appendix C of Report of the Review of the National Poverty Target] 3. Implications of Income Pooling & Household Decision-Making for Poverty & Deprivation (2012 technical paper)	ESRI	Jan-2012	1. Dec-2012 2. Oct-2012 3. Oct- 2013	€81,230
Review of Irish Pensions Policy	OECD	Jan-2012	Apr-2013	€130,000
Social Welfare Appeals Office – Research on Insurability Issues & Access to Legal Resources	Mel Cousins & Associates	2011	2011	€7,744
Social Inclusion Forum – Conference Report	Aidan Lloyd	Nov-2011	Aug-2012	€1,500
Report on Pension Charges in Ireland	PWC	Oct-2011	Oct-2012	€61,500
Development & implementation of the National Employment & Entitlements Service	Accenture	June-2011	Aug-2011	€186,563
Report on electronic access to GRO Records for genealogy research	John Grenham	Apr-2011	Internal Management Report	€3,557

* EU Funded Reports

Working Environment Reports

Report	Name of Consultants	Commissioned	Publication Date	Cost €
Survey Air quality in Waterford Intreo	Wright Environmental Services	Dec- 2014	Internal Management Report	€6,863
Survey Air quality in Nutgrove Local Office	Wright Environmental Services	Nov-2013	Internal Management Report	€2,900
Health & Safety Review of DSP premises, Upper Gardiner St, Dublin 1	CPL Training Ltd, trading as Nifast Health & Safety Training	Apr-2013	Internal Management Report	€1,100
Air Quality Investigation, Ballymun Local Office	Wright Environmental Services	Aug-2012	Internal Management Report	€3,644
Air Quality Investigation, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada	Wright Environmental Services	Aug-2012	Internal Management Report	€3,383
Risk assessments regarding reception areas [Arklow, Tallaght, & Kings Inn, Dublin Local Offices]	Nifast	June-2012	Internal Management Report	€1,845
Investigation of odour/smells, DSP Cobh	Employment Health Advisors Ltd	May-2011	Internal Management Report	€2,023
Investigation of odour/smells, Belmullet Local Office	Wright Environmental Services	Apr-2011	Internal Management Report	€1,699

Respite Care Grant Eligibility

Ceisteanna (209)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

209. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to a respite grant for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23709/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The respite care grant (RCG) is paid automatically in June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), to carers who are in receipt of a qualifying payment on the first Thursday in June. The relevant payments are carer’s allowance, carer’s benefit, domiciliary care allowance, and prescribed relatives allowance.

The Respite Care Grant is not paid on a proportional basis. The person in question does not have an entitlement to the 2015 RCG as her carer's allowance payment ceased on 27th of May 2015.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Ceisteanna (210)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

210. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on an appeal in respect of an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23712/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, to date, no appeal in respect of disallowance of invalidity pension has been received from the person concerned.

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 on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits Expenditure

Ceisteanna (211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

211. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of restoring the six-monthly scale and polish entitlement under the dental treatment benefit scheme. [23766/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

212. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of restoring the extended gum cleaning entitlement under the dental treatment benefit scheme. [23767/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

213. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of restoring cover for fillings under the dental treatment benefit scheme. [23768/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

214. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on the six-monthly scale and polish entitlement under the dental treatment benefit scheme in 2009. [23769/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

215. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on the extended gum cleaning entitlement under the dental treatment benefit scheme in 2009. [23770/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

216. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on fillings under the dental treatment benefit scheme in 2009. [23771/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 216, inclusive, together.

The cost of providing for a restoration of the free six-monthly scale and polish treatment and contribution payments towards extended gum treatment and fillings for qualified customers under the dental benefit scheme would depend on the fees to be agreed with dental contractors for such treatments and on the numbers opting to avail of the treatments.

Approximately 2 million people are currently eligible for Dental Benefit.

In 2009, the last full year that the treatments were available under the dental benefit scheme, a total of 528,000 claims were made for the standard scale and polish treatment at a cost of €16.77m. A further 15,000 claims for a €30 contribution towards protracted gum treatment at a cost of €0.46m together with 598,000 contribution payments towards dental fillings at a cost of €20.7m were made under the scheme.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Ceisteanna (217)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

217. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for invalidity pension will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23780/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th April 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.

Community Employment Schemes Data

Ceisteanna (218)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

218. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment supervisors and assistant## supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23851/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection (Deputy Kevin Humphreys)

As at the end of May 2015, there are 1,158 Supervisors and 245 Assistant Supervisors employed on Community Employment, an overall total of 1,403.

Of that number, 1,074 Supervisors and 206 Assistant Supervisors work full-time (39 hrs per week) totalling 1,280. The remainder work part-time and/or job-share.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (219)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

219. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the Labour Court recommendation of 22 July 2008 by a person (details supplied), that stated that an agreed pension scheme should be introduced for community employment scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors, has not been acted upon to date; if she acknowledges, that while Foras Áiseanna Saothair – the Irish National Training and Employment Authority - was the recognised funding agency at the time, her Department now fulfils that role; her views that it is acceptable that almost seven years has passed since the Labour Court recommendation, without any action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23852/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection (Deputy Kevin Humphreys)

The Deputy will be aware that Community Employment (CE) supervisors are the employees of private companies. In the circumstances, it is not possible for the State to take over responsibility for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where those companies are reliant on State funding. This position was confirmed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (D/PER) to this Department in March of this year.

The D/PER’s position is that private companies contracted by the State to provide a service, including those in the community sector, must manage their expenditure pressures, including labour and pension costs, from within existing funding levels.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (220)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

220. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will now put in place a pension scheme for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors, as per the Labour Court recommendation of July 2008 (details supplied); if she will make the scheme retroactive to 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23853/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection (Deputy Kevin Humphreys)

The Deputy will be aware that Community Employment (CE) supervisors are the employees of private companies. In the circumstances, it is not possible for the State to take over responsibility for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where those companies are reliant on State funding.

This position was confirmed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (D/PER) to this Department in March of this year. The D/PER’s position is that private companies contracted by the State to provide a service, including those in the community sector, must manage their expenditure pressures, including labour and pension costs, from within existing funding levels.