Written Answers Nos. 87 -109
88. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the length of time it takes for a file to be transferred from the family income supplement section to the appeals section, due to the backlog being experienced there; the length of time this volume of work is building up; the measures being taken to address this backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27477/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide support for employees on low earnings with families.
All first-time new FIS claims continue to be processed promptly on receipt with renewal applications being dealt with in advance of the expiry of their current payment.
If an applicant is dissatisfied with a decision on their entitlement to FIS they can appeal against it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
In the first instance the Social Welfare Appeals Office refer the case back to FIS section for clarification. If the applicant remains dissatisfied with the outcome after clarification they can progress to full appeal.
In recent months the priority has been to process new FIS applications particularly those claiming on foot of recent changes to the One Parent Family payment. Consequently there is some with clarification requests. However additional resources will be assigned to deal with clarification requests over the coming weeks, in order to bring it up to date.
89. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the length of time it takes for a file (details supplied) to be transferred from the family income supplement section to the appeals section, due to the backlog being experienced there; the measures being taken to address the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27478/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide support for employees on low earnings with families.
To qualify for payment of FIS, a person must be engaged in full time paid employment as an employee which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week.
The person concerned applied to have her FIS renewed from November 2014. When her application was being examined it came to light that she may not have been working the required number of hours to qualify. At the time further information regarding the hours that she was working was sought both from the applicant and her employer.
The complete information required was furnished by the end of February 2015 and a decision on her entitlement was then given immediately. Unfortunately she didn’t qualify for FIS as it was deemed, based on the information provided, that she was working less than the required hours.
She subsequently wrote to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office in March 2015, to appeal this decision and her case was referred to FIS section for clarification in the first instance.
Her case has now been re-examined by a deciding officer. The last information supplied by the employer of the person concerned indicates that she worked the required hours in only 2 out of 6 weeks. In order to establish the most up to date position she has been requested to provide full details of hours worked from the beginning of the year. When this information is received her entitlement will be further considered and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
All first-time FIS claims continue to be processed promptly on receipt with renewal applications being dealt with in advance of the expiry of their current payment.
If an applicant is dissatisfied with a decision on their entitlement to FIS they can appeal against it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. In the first instance the Social Welfare Appeals Office refer the case back to FIS section for clarification. If the applicant remains dissatisfied with the outcome after clarification they can progress to full appeal.
In recent months the priority has been to process new FIS applications particularly those claiming on foot of recent changes to the One Parent Family payment. Consequently there is some with clarification requests. However additional resources will be assigned to deal with clarification requests over the coming weeks, in order to bring it up to date.
90. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the capacity of the EmployAbility service to accommodate an extra 1,000 persons. [27496/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EmployAbility service supports people with disabilities who wish to take up employment. The budget for 2015 provides €9.6 million to run the service. The average cost of providing support through the service is €2,900 per customer, so if the service was expanded to support an additional 1,000 customers, the estimated additional annual cost would be €2.9 million.
91. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 44 and 45 of 25 June 2015, the primary causes of her Department's overspend and underspend, as referenced in her reply. [27497/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the end of May last, total Net Vote 37 expenditure for the Department of Social Protection was underspent by €147.6 million (3.1%) relative to profile. The underspend arises as a result of a lower requirement (€189.64 m) for an Exchequer Subvention to the Social Insurance Fund, higher (€7.91 m) than profiled Appropriations in Aid with both offset by higher than profiled expenditure (€50m) on Vote 37 schemes, services and administration. The lower than expected Exchequer Subvention is due to higher than expected PRSI receipts (€200.5 million).
Overall expenditure on all schemes, services and administration operated by Vote 37 and the Social Insurance Fund was ahead of profile at end May by €49 million (0.6%). While expenditure on the schemes, services operated by the Social Insurance Fund (and associated administration costs) was just below target, similar expenditure on Vote 37 was just short of €50 million ahead of profile. The principal reason for this overspend relates to expenditure on jobseeker’s allowance (€33.5 million ahead of profile) and carer’s allowance (€12 million ahead of profile).
92. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 25 June 2015, the estimated additional cost to her Department of introducing 4,000 additional community employment scheme places in 2016. [27498/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe additional cost to the Department of introducing 4,000 additional Community Employment (CE) places in 2016 is estimated to be approximately €14m. This amount reflects the additional cost of €20 per week paid to participants over and above what they would receive while in receipt of a social welfare payment, in addition to supervisory costs, materials and training costs normally incurred on CE.
93. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 66 and 67 of 25 June 2015, the estimated combined cost of raising the cut-off age of the one-parent family payment to 12 years old, and raising the one parent family payment income disregard to €120, in 2016. [27499/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of increasing the one-parent family payment scheme income disregard to €120 in 2016 would be approximately €12 million. This figure is based on earnings data for relevant one-parent family payment recipients in January, 2015. It also takes account of the implementation of the final phase of the one-parent family payment reforms that took place on 2 July, 2015, when the maximum child age threshold for the scheme was lowered to 7 years for all recipients.
With regard to the cost of raising the maximum child age threshold for the scheme to 12 years, this information is currently not available in the Department. Given the complex nature of the request, the Department will provide the information directly to the Deputy in due course.
94. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the statutory entitlements for county councillors regarding sick leave and sick pay (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27501/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIssues relating to sick leave generally and occupational sick pay arrangements for county councillors are solely a matter for the Minister of Environment, Community and Local Government.
County councillors are public office holders. Public office holders pay PRSI at the Class K rate of 4% on their income as an office holder, provided that income exceeds €5,200 a year (€100 a week). All public office holders are liable to pay the contribution regardless of age. Public office holders include the President, members of either House of the Oireachtas, members of the Judiciary, the Attorney General and Controller and Auditor General, as well as County Councillors.
Payment of class K PRSI by office holders does not establish any social insurance entitlements, including entitlement to social insurance benefits such as illness benefit. County councillors may, however, establish entitlement to social insurance benefits based on their non-council related activities. In some instance councillors may, in addition to their council duties, also be employees and as such may establish entitlement to certain social insurance benefits and pensions, including illness benefit.
County councillors may also opt to pay voluntary contributions to maintain certain existing social insurance entitlements, provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions. In the case of State pension (contributory), voluntary contributions will maintain (or in some cases improve) the yearly average number of contributions which determines the rate at which the pension is paid.
Voluntary contributions paid by those who were previously self-employed or those whose last PRSI contributions were at class A, E or H provide cover for State pension (contributory), widow's or widower's contributory pension and guardian's (contributory) allowance. Voluntary contributions paid by those whose last PRSI contributions were at Class B, C or D (modified contributors) provide cover for widow's or widower's contributory pension and guardian's (contributory) allowance.
96. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to reinstate the telephone allowance; the cost of restoring same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27532/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall concern of Government in its Budgets has been to protect the primary social welfare rates. Expenditure on pensions at approx. €6.675 billion is the largest block of expenditure in the Department in the Estimate for 2015, representing approx. 34.4% of overall expenditure. Because of demographic changes, the Department’s spending on older people is increasing year on year resulting in the Department having to make provision for an additional €168 million this year. Maintaining the rate of the State pension and other core payments is critical in protecting people from poverty.
The decision to discontinue the telephone allowance provided annual savings of €48 million and meant that the Department was able to retain the other valuable elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. The Department will spend approx. €237 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 415,000 customers.
Any decision to restore the telephone allowance would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations.
97. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a disability allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [27569/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to determine the circumstances of the person in question, his file was forwarded to his local Social Welfare Inspector. S/he will arrange to meet with the person concerned as soon as possible.
A final decision on his entitlement to disability allowance will be given on receipt of the Social Welfare Inspectors report. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
99. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an claim for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary, as this claim has been ongoing for a considerable length of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27646/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned claimed Illness Benefit from 2 September 2013. To qualify for this benefit certain PRSI contribution conditions must be satisfied.
The person concerned is from Romania. From 1 January 2012 citizens of that country (and from Bulgaria) do not need a work permit to work here. However, if they worked in Ireland prior to 2012 they were legally required to have a valid work permit.
The contributions paid by the person concerned prior to 2012 need to be taken into account in order to qualify her claim to Illness Benefit. She was, accordingly, asked on 13 September 2013 for evidence, e.g. a work permit, of permission to work here. As this has not been received to date it has not been possible to approve her claim to illness benefit.
100. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the need for representation of staff associations for pension scheme purposes; her plans to introduce legislation to ensure that sponsoring employers accept responsibility for their pension schemes; her further plans to amend the Pensions Acts to allow collective representation and recognition for groups under the terms of section 50 orders to the Pension Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27652/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am glad to say that earlier this year, I approved measures to facilitate engagement between the trustees of a pension scheme and groups representing the interests of pensioner and deferred scheme members. I signed the Occupational Pensions Schemes (Section 50 and 50B) (Amendments) Regulations, 2015 and approved Pensions Authority guidance to facilitate this change.
The change to regulations require the Pensions Authority to notify groups representing the interests of pensioner and deferred scheme members in situations where the Pensions Authority is proposing to issue a unilateral direction under section 50 of the Pensions Act to restructure scheme benefits or to wind up a pension scheme under section 50B. This requirement will afford the representative group an opportunity to make a submission to the Pensions Authority in relation to such proposals. The Regulations also give the representative group the right to appeal such a direction by the Pensions Authority to the High Court on a point of law.
I also approved an amendment to guidance issued by the Pensions Authority on this matter. This change to guidance will require the trustees of a pension scheme to notify groups representing the interest of scheme members of proposals by the trustees of a defined benefit pension scheme to issue a direction under section 50 of the Pensions Act to restructure scheme benefits. This requirement will afford the representative group an opportunity to make a submission to the trustees of a pension scheme in relation to proposals to restructure scheme benefits.
The issue of engagement with the industrial relations machinery of the State falls within the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It is acknowledged that the industrial relations system in Ireland is voluntary in nature both as regards access to the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Any change to that principle which would put in place a mandated right to be part of the process would alter fundamentally the conduct of industrial relations. However, I would expect that any group that is recognised for the purposes of collective representation with the trustees of a pension scheme could seek to engage voluntarily with the enterprise involved in talks or trade dispute with its employees.
You might note that pension schemes in Ireland are generally set up under trust and, in that context the trustees of a pension scheme are required to act in the best interest of all scheme members. I have no current plans to bring forward amendments to the Pensions Act at this time and will continue to monitor the application of the act on an ongoing basis.
101. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the alternative supports are available to assist affected lone parents and their dependants whose one-parent family payment will cease on 2 July 2015, in order to supplement their income, in particular where they cannot find further work at this point in time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27689/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final phase of the one-parent family payment scheme reforms took place on 2 July, 2015, when the maximum child age threshold for the scheme was reduced to 7 years for all recipients. On that day, the Department supported all affected customers to transition to an alternative income support payment, including the jobseeker’s transitional payment, the jobseeker’s allowance (JA), and the family income supplement (FIS).
The reforms seek to address the long-term social welfare dependency and poverty experienced by many lone parents by providing them with improved access to the Department’s range of education, training, and employment supports to assist them to move towards sustainable employment.
FIS is the most financially advantageous option that is available to affected lone parents and on the basis of advice from Intreo staff the Department has processed up to 1,600 new FIS applications to date from the affected customers. These customers increased their hours of employment to 19 hours per week, or 38 hours per fortnight and can now also claim the back to work family dividend (BTWFD) where they can retain the child increase portion of their payment. This is worth €1,550 per child in the first year with 100% entitlement and €775 in the second year per child as entitlement reduces 50%.
It is important to note that to reach the threshold hours for FIS an individual can work for one employer or can combine hours from a number of employers.
The majority of customers who transitioned out of the one-parent family payment scheme on 2 July, 2015, moved to the jobseeker’s transitional payment, which is available to lone parents who have a youngest child aged 7 to 13 years inclusive and who qualify for a jobseekers allowance payment. These customers are exempt from the jobseeker’s allowance conditions that require them to be available for, and genuinely seeking, full-time work. As such, no lone parent with a youngest child aged under 14 years is required to take up employment in order to receive income support from the Department. They can also move into education and/or employment, including into part-time employment (for example, during the mornings, when their children are at school), if they so wish, and still receive payment, subject to a means test.
Jobseeker’s transitional payment recipients are required to engage with the Department’s Intreo services and, more significantly, can avail of a wide range of employment support programmes, including the community employment scheme, JobBridge, the back-to-work enterprise allowance, the rural social scheme, and JobsPlus. These customers can also avail of a wide range of educational options. They can apply for both the SUSI maintenance and tuition grants and, if eligible, their maintenance grant will not be assessed as means for the jobseeker’s transitional payment. They can also participate in a wide range of SOLAS and education and training board courses.
Access to these services and supports is imperative for lone parents, in order to ensure that their prospects of securing employment and financial independence are improved.
Former one-parent family payment recipients who have a youngest child aged 14 years or over who are either not working or working under 19 hours per week, transitioned to a jobseeker’s allowance payment – with the full conditionality of that scheme applied. These customers receive the same level of activation supports as all other jobseekers.
For any affected customers who are currently working less than 19 hours per week and are having difficulty increasing their hours to qualify for the FIS and BTWFD payments, the Department will work with these customers and employers to assist them to find additional employment.
102. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that all appropriate support measures are put in place immediately to assist employees of an insurance company (details supplied) who face redundancy; the meetings and advisory sessions that have been held to date with employees in the company who are seeking advice and support regarding entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27690/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 24th June 2015, Liberty Insurance announced 250 redundancies in their Cavan and Blanchardstown offices. Immediately on learning of the proposed redundancies, officials from the Department of Social Protection contacted Liberty Insurance in both Cavan and Blanchardstown.
From 6th July to 9th July 2015 a number of information events will be provided by officials of the Department onsite for staff in Liberty Insurance in both Cavan and Blanchardstown providing the following: Group Information Sessions detailing services and opportunities offered by the Department; Information packs including information regarding individual benefits, application completion, advice on redundancy payments and how it may affect a person’s claim; Information on current job vacancies in both Cavan and Blanchardstown and on employment supports and training and education opportunities; One-to-one consultations with a Case Officer will be made available to Liberty Insurance staff members regarding employment supports and training and education opportunities. The Education & Training Boards are also available to attend and speak with staff.
Finally it is also proposed that the Public Service Card facility will be made available to Liberty Insurance staff members onsite at a mobile unit in Cavan and at Blanchardstown Intreo Centre via walk in or appointment.
103. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for a fuel allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 was refused. [27716/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been receiving supplementary welfare allowance from this Department since 28 August 2014. However, there is no record in the Department of an application from him for the 2014-15 fuel allowance scheme being received or being refused. If there are any additional details available and they are provided to the Cork Street Intreo Centre officials there will follow up and advise.
104. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan, given that a determination on a local authority house will be made within a week, and this is dependent on the person being in receipt of a social welfare payment. [27719/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 30 June 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.
105. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the contingency plan he and his officials have drawn up on the possibility of Greece leaving the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27062/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGreece remains a full member of the euro area and it is in all our interests that this continues to be the case. However, as a member of the euro area, each Member State has obligations, and this is no different for Greece.
The second economic adjustment programme for Greece expired on 30 June and all associated financing attached has also expired. Any agreement at this stage would likely be in the form of a new programme with associated conditionality. It is in everyone's interest that an agreement is reached.
Following the result of Sunday's referendum in Greece, I hope that the Greek Government will continue discussions with fellow Member States in an effort to provide certainty for the Greek people and return stability to their economy. Ireland will continue to engage in an effort to reach a successful conclusion to any negotiations.
I will attend the Eurogroup (euro area Finance Ministers) today, where we will take stock of developments and listen to the new Greek Finance Minister. Subsequently the Taoiseach will attend the meeting of the euro area Heads of State or Government (the Euro Summit).
I am hopeful that a way forward can be found and that Greece remains in the euro area. Having said that, my officials have contingency plans in place for a number of eventualities, including the possibility of Greece leaving the euro area. In this regard, it is worth highlighting that the euro area's institutional framework has been strengthened significantly in recent years, as is evident from that the fact that the market reaction to recent developments has been relatively muted; in other words, contagion has been limited.
Finally, I would also point out that I recently met with the Governor of the Central Bank to discuss the situation, while the Governor and the Head of the NTMA recently briefed the Economic Management Council on emerging developments.
106. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposition to increase the value added tax on tourism in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27065/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny programme between Greece and its creditors must be based on credible, growth-friendly measures that strike an appropriate balance between fiscal consolidation on the one hand and supporting economic recovery on the other hand.
My primary objective therefore is that, if a programme can be negotiated, there is ownership by the authorities and the measures implemented are as growth-friendly as possible.
In terms of the specific measures I would, of course, support appropriate levels of flexibility, as was the case in the Irish programme. I would be strongly supportive of the view of the Institutions (Commission, ECB and IMF) that measures are required to tackle the underlying problems of weak tax collection and poor levels of tax compliance. This is one of the reasons for the situation that Greece now finds itself in and addressing this structural problem must be part of any solution.
107. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views that there has been enough engagement between the European Union and the Greek Government on dealing with its debt issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27066/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiscussions regarding the Greek programme, its financing needs and the sustainability of its debt take place at the euro area level, involving Finance Ministers (the Eurogroup).
The Eurogroup in its statement of November 2012 committed to considering further measures and assistance (including inter alia lower co-financing in structural funds and/or further interest rate reductions on the Greek Loan Facility) to achieve a further credible and sustainable reduction of Greek debt-to-GDP ratio; this was conditional upon Greece achieving an annual primary surplus as well as on full implementation of all conditions contained in the (second) programme.
As I have said on numerous occassions, I have great sympathy for the Greek people and I along with my euro area colleagues have worked to help the Greek authorities to move to a position whereby realistic negotiations were taking place up to 26th June.
Unfortunately, the Greek authorities unilaterally withdrew from negotiations before agreement could be reached or the issue of debt was discussed or agreed upon by the Eurogroup.
I note the results from Sunday's Referendum in Greece.
I hope that following this result the Greek Government will continue to engage in discussions with fellow Member States in an effort to provide certainty for the Greek people and return stability to their economy. Ireland will continue to engage in an effort to reach a successful conclusion to any negotiations.
108. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to deal with the volatility in the market following the Greek Government's announcement to hold a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27067/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinancial market developments in the euro area (outside of Greece) have been relatively calm in recent days despite the announcement of the Greek referendum and the subsequent results on Sunday.
While some Member States initially experienced some widening of bond yields, this was relatively small and suggests that the firewalls created and the governance changes made during the crisis are having the desired effect.
Nonetheless, the ECB is monitoring the financial stability of the euro area closely and stands ready to use all available instruments to ensure the stability of the euro area as a whole.
Having said that, I hope that the Greek Government will continue to engage in discussions with other Member States in an effort to provide certainty for the Greek people and put the economy back on a stable path. Ireland will continue to engage in an effort to reach a successful conclusion to any negotiations.
109. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if a personal public service number provided to a non-resident tax payer for local property tax purposes may be used for all other Revenue Commissioner purposes, such as getting a land lease stamped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27264/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person in question is a non-resident owner of a residential property located in the Republic of Ireland.
As far as the Commissioners are aware the person does not hold an Irish Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) and was allocated a Local Property Tax (LPT) 'Customer Number' purely to facilitate her online payment and filing obligations in respect of that tax.
The LPT 'Customer Number' has no other function and is not an alternative to the Personal Public Service Number, which is a requirement to register for the generality of taxes. All Personal Public Service Numbers are allocated by the Department of Social Protection and where a non-resident person needs to register for specific taxes, including Stamp Duty, he/she must firstly apply to that Department for her personal number, which is in turn activated by the Revenue Commissioners as a tax number.
The person should immediately apply to the Client Identity Services Unit in the Department of Social Protection (DSP), at Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim (Locall 1890927999 or 353 71 9672616) for a Personal Public Service Number.
On receipt of the Personal Public Service Number the person should contact Revenue's National Stamp Duty Office at telephone 1890 482 582 or at email stampdutytaxnumbers@revenue.ie have it applied as a tax number so that matters can be concluded.
The telephone contact hours for the National Stamp Duty Office are Tuesday to Thursday from 10.00 to 13.00. Alternatively the person can write to the National Stamp Duty Office at, The Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Cross Block, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.
