Tuesday, 8 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 95-117

Ministerial Advisers Data

Ceisteanna (95)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

95. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the number of special advisers on his staff and their yearly salary from 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43686/15]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are five Special Advisors on staff in my Department. The following table provides a breakdown of gross salary for Special Advisors per annum from 2011 to 2015.

Total Gross Salary 2011	Total Gross Salary 2012	Total Gross Salary 2013	Total Gross Salary 2014	Total Gross Salary 2015
€576,153	€586,011	€557,788	€566,878	€574,534

Live Register Data

Ceisteanna (96)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of persons for each individual local social protection office and Intreo centre in County Donegal, who are recorded as having been on the live register on the last Friday of January in each of the years 2005 to date in tabular form; the number of claimants of jobseeker's allowance and of jobseeker's benefit, including the annual change to claimant numbers, in respect of each of these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43200/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Paul Kehoe)

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

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 most recent Live Register figures available are for November 2015.

Table 1a below shows the number of persons in each local office in County Donegal on the Live Register in January of each year from 2004 to 2015 and the latest November 2015 figures.

Table 1b below shows the annual change in the number of persons in each local office in County Donegal on the Live Register in January of each year from 2005 to 2015.

Table 2a below shows the number of persons in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit and Other Registrants in each local office in County Donegal in April of each year 2005 to 2015 (this information is only available twice yearly in April and October).

Table 2b below shows the annual change in the number of persons in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit and Other Registrants in each local office in County Donegal in April of each year 2006 to 2015 (this information is only available twice yearly in April and October).

In relation to Tables 2a and 2b, 2005 to 2009 data refers to the week of the second last Friday in the reference period. 2010 to 2015 data refers to the week of the last Friday in the reference period. April 2005 data are the earliest data which can be sourced at this time. April 2015 are the latest data published at this level of detail.

It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.

Table 1a Persons on the Live Register in County Donegal classified by Local Office in January 2005 - 2015 and November 2015

Total persons	Jan 2004	Jan 2005	Jan 2006	Jan 2007	Jan 2008	Jan 2009	Jan 2010	Jan 2011	Jan 2012	Jan 2013	Jan 2014	Jan 2015	Nov 2015
Ballybofey	890	801	735	833	942	2,101	2,662	2,689	2,674	2,673	2,545	2,306	2,153
Ballyshannon	588	559	498	588	642	1,152	1,532	1,597	1,581	1,592	1,489	1,388	1,283
Buncrana	1,821	1,754	1,573	1,684	1,928	3,939	5,005	4,938	4,711	4,421	3,900	3,528	2,976
Donegal	519	476	437	622	632	1,155	1,501	1,453	1,432	1,482	1,394	1,204	981
Dunfanaghy	1,091	954	845	824	842	1,304	1,620	1,650	1,660	1,628	1,508	1,322	1,154
Dungloe	1,633	1,455	1,361	1,270	1,232	1,740	2,256	2,207	2,247	2,144	1,999	1,931	1,769
Killybegs	900	1,009	940	869	812	1,096	1,253	1,296	1,284	960	1,138	1,061	832
Letterkenny	2,889	2,582	2,391	2,329	2,621	4,269	5,644	6,005	5,978	6,005	5,749	5,454	4,908
Total Couny Donegal	10,331	9,590	8,780	9,019	9,651	16,756	21,473	21,835	21,567	20,905	19,722	18,194	16,056

Source: CSO Live Register

Table 1b Persons on the Live Register in County Donegal classified by Local Office in January 2005 - 2015 - Annual change

Total persons	Jan 2005	Jan 2006	Jan 2007	Jan 2008	Jan 2009	Jan 2010	Jan 2011	Jan 2012	Jan 2013	Jan 2014	Jan 2015
Ballybofey	-89	-66	98	109	-1,159	561	27	-15	-1	-128	-239
Ballyshannon	-29	-61	90	54	510	380	65	-16	11	-103	-101
Buncrana	-67	-181	111	244	2,011	1,066	-67	-227	-290	-521	-372
Donegal	-43	-39	185	10	523	346	-48	-21	50	-88	-190
Dunfanaghy	-137	-109	-21	18	462	316	30	10	-32	-120	-186
Dungloe	-178	-94	-91	-38	508	516	-49	40	-103	-145	-68
Killybegs	109	-69	-71	-57	284	157	43	-12	-324	178	-77
Letterkenny	-307	-191	-62	292	1,648	1,375	361	-27	27	-256	-295
Total Couny Donegal	-741	-810	239	632	7,105	4,717	362	-268	-662	-1,183	-1,528 Source: CSO Live Register

Source: CSO Live Register

Table 2a - Number of persons on the Live Register in County Donegal classified by Local Office and Social Welfare Scheme in April 2005 - 2009

County Donegal	Social Welfare Scheme	April 2005 1	April 2006 1	April 2007 1	April 2008 1	April 2009 1
Ballybofey	Jobseekers Benefit	412	414	249	406	985
	Jobseekers Allowance	282	289	475	671	1,349
	Others	34	29	23	21	42
	Total	728	732	747	1,098	2,376
Ballyshannon	Jobseekers Benefit	251	251	230	294	630
	Jobseekers Allowance	194	204	269	357	626
	Others	34	23	28	34	37
	Total	479	478	527	685	1,293
Buncrana	Jobseekers Benefit	1,061	1,030	504	700	1,729
	Jobseekers Allowance	441	473	1,027	1,407	2,566
	Others	104	99	81	89	120
	Total	1,606	1,602	1,612	2,196	4,415
Donegal(BO)	Jobseekers Benefit	189	192	394	396	766
	Jobseekers Allowance	238	233	188	229	463
	Others	11	12	12	28	39
	Total	438	437	594	653	1,268
Dunfanaghy	Jobseekers Benefit	526	489	227	257	517
	Jobseekers Allowance	265	191	484	512	797
	Others	58	47	49	59	69
	Total	849	727	760	828	1,383
Dungloe	Jobseekers Benefit	813	795	371	443	716
	Jobseekers Allowance	458	361	697	708	1,011
	Others	156	130	129	119	157
	Total	1,427	1,286	1,197	1,270	1,884
Killybegs	Jobseekers Benefit	202	233	620	579	781
	Jobseekers Allowance	639	677	193	205	360
	Others	71	75	55	54	58
	Total	912	985	868	838	1,199
Letterkenny	Jobseekers Benefit	1,657	1,635	584	733	1,708
	Jobseekers Allowance	665	638	1,595	1,828	2,821
	Others	97	99	98	105	145
	Total	2,419	2,372	2,277	2,666	4,674
County Donegal	Jobseekers Benefit	5,111	5,039	3,179	3,808	7,832
	Jobseekers Allowance	3,182	3,066	4,928	5,917	9,993
	Others	565	514	475	509	667
	Total	8,858	8,619	8,582	10,234	18,492

Table 2a cont'd - Number of persons on the Live Register in County Donegal classified by Local Office and Social Welfare Scheme in April 2010 - 2015

County Donegal	Social Welfare Scheme	April 2010 2	April 2011 2	April 2012 2	April 2013 2	April 2014 2	April 2015 2
Ballybofey	Jobseekers Benefit	688	475	406	327	279	165
	Jobseekers Allowance	1,839	2,088	2,116	2,161	2,153	1,912
	Others	56	76	100	110	103	90
	Total	2,583	2,639	2,622	2,598	2,535	2,167
Ballyshannon	Jobseekers Benefit	478	391	296	247	190	154
	Jobseekers Allowance	926	1,103	1,127	1,160	1,140	1,021
	Others	68	84	103	101	118	115
	Total	1,472	1,578	1,526	1,508	1,448	1,290
Buncrana	Jobseekers Benefit	1,107	871	676	500	327	248
	Jobseekers Allowance	3,595	3,743	3,560	3,448	3,230	2,903
	Others	196	238	242	264	264	259
	Total	4,898	4,852	4,478	4,212	3,821	3,410
Donegal(BO)	Jobseekers Benefit	608	514	415	417	295	243
	Jobseekers Allowance	703	812	827	891	884	787
	Others	63	82	92	96	93	93
	Total	1,374	1,408	1,334	1,404	1,272	1,123
Dunfanaghy	Jobseekers Benefit	343	264	213	170	139	126
	Jobseekers Allowance	1,117	1,193	1,226	1,187	1,112	962
	Others	109	134	143	145	136	119
	Total	1,569	1,591	1,582	1,502	1,387	1,207
Dungloe	Jobseekers Benefit	650	462	370	290	221	248
	Jobseekers Allowance	1,381	1,489	1,549	1,514	1,415	1,352
	Others	206	235	255	266	264	240
	Total	2,237	2,186	2,174	2,070	1,900	1,840
Killybegs	Jobseekers Benefit	675	675	610	483	415	363
	Jobseekers Allowance	498	576	565	608	626	538
	Others	88	99	102	106	105	109
	Total	1,261	1,350	1,277	1,197	1,146	1,010
Letterkenny	Jobseekers Benefit	1,347	1,280	931	763	585	440
	Jobseekers Allowance	4,024	4,568	4,611	4,743	4,773	4,426
	Others	231	275	312	338	343	317
	Total	5,602	6,123	5,854	5,844	5,701	5,183
County Donegal	Jobseekers Benefit	5,896	4,932	3,917	3,197	2,451	1,987
	Jobseekers Allowance	14,083	15,572	15,581	15,712	15,333	13,901
	Others	1,017	1,223	1,349	1,426	1,426	1,342
	Total	20,996	21,727	20,847	20,335	19,210	17,230

CSO: Live Register

1 Data refer to the week of the second last Friday in the reference period.

2 Data refer to the week of the last Friday in the reference period.

Table 2b - Number of persons on the Live Register in County Donegal classified by Local Office and Social Welfare Scheme in April 2006 - 2009 - Annual change

County Donegal	Social Welfare Scheme	April 2006 1	April 2007 1	April 2008 1	April 2009 1
Ballybofey	Jobseekers Benefit	2	-165	157	579
	Jobseekers Allowance	7	186	196	678
	Others	-5	-6	-2	21
	Total	4	15	351	1,278
Ballyshannon	Jobseekers Benefit	0	-21	64	336
	Jobseekers Allowance	10	65	88	269
	Others	-11	5	6	3
	Total	-1	49	158	608
Buncrana	Jobseekers Benefit	-31	-526	196	1,029
	Jobseekers Allowance	32	554	380	1,159
	Others	-5	-18	8	31
	Total	-4	10	584	2,219
Donegal(BO)	Jobseekers Benefit	3	202	2	370
	Jobseekers Allowance	-5	-45	41	234
	Others	1	0	16	11
	Total	-1	157	59	615
Dunfanaghy	Jobseekers Benefit	-37	-262	30	260
	Jobseekers Allowance	-74	293	28	285
	Others	-11	2	10	10
	Total	-122	33	68	555
Dungloe	Jobseekers Benefit	-18	-424	72	273
	Jobseekers Allowance	-97	336	11	303
	Others	-26	-1	-10	38
	Total	-141	-89	73	614
Killybegs	Jobseekers Benefit	31	387	-41	202
	Jobseekers Allowance	38	-484	12	155
	Others	4	-20	-1	4
	Total	73	-117	-30	361
Letterkenny	Jobseekers Benefit	-22	-1,051	149	975
	Jobseekers Allowance	-27	957	233	993
	Others	2	-1	7	40
	Total	-47	-95	389	2,008
County Donegal	Jobseekers Benefit	-72	-1,860	629	4,024
	Jobseekers Allowance	-116	1,862	989	4,076
	Others	-51	-39	34	158
	Total	-239	-37	1,652	8,258

Table 2b cont'd - Number of persons on the Live Register in County Donegal classified by Local Office and Social Welfare Scheme in April 2010 - 20015 - Annual change

County Donegal	Social Welfare Scheme	April 2010 2	April 2011 2	April 2012 2	April 2013 2	April 2014 2	April 2015 2
Ballybofey	Jobseekers Benefit	-297	-213	-69	-79	-48	-114
	Jobseekers Allowance	490	249	28	45	-8	-241
	Others	14	20	24	10	-7	-13
	Total	207	56	-17	-24	-63	-368
Ballyshannon	Jobseekers Benefit	-152	-87	-95	-49	-57	-36
	Jobseekers Allowance	300	177	24	33	-20	-119
	Others	31	16	19	-2	17	-3
	Total	179	106	-52	-18	-60	-158
Buncrana	Jobseekers Benefit	-622	-236	-195	-176	-173	-79
	Jobseekers Allowance	1,029	148	-183	-112	-218	-327
	Others	76	42	4	22	0	-5
	Total	483	-46	-374	-266	-391	-411
Donegal(BO)	Jobseekers Benefit	-158	-94	-99	2	-122	-52
	Jobseekers Allowance	240	109	15	64	-7	-97
	Others	24	19	10	4	-3	0
	Total	106	34	-74	70	-132	-149
Dunfanaghy	Jobseekers Benefit	-174	-79	-51	-43	-31	-13
	Jobseekers Allowance	320	76	33	-39	-75	-150
	Others	40	25	9	2	-9	-17
	Total	186	22	-9	-80	-115	-180
Dungloe	Jobseekers Benefit	-66	-188	-92	-80	-69	27
	Jobseekers Allowance	370	108	60	-35	-99	-63
	Others	49	29	20	11	-2	-24
	Total	353	-51	-12	-104	-170	-60
Killybegs	Jobseekers Benefit	-106	0	-65	-127	-68	-52
	Jobseekers Allowance	138	78	-11	43	18	-88
	Others	30	11	3	4	-1	4
	Total	62	89	-73	-80	-51	-136
Letterkenny	Jobseekers Benefit	-361	-67	-349	-168	-178	-145
	Jobseekers Allowance	1,203	544	43	132	30	-347
	Others	86	44	37	26	5	-26
	Total	928	521	-269	-10	-143	-518
County Donegal	Jobseekers Benefit	-1,936	-964	-1,015	-720	-746	-464
	Jobseekers Allowance	4,090	1,489	9	131	-379	-1,432
	Others	350	206	126	77	0	-84
	Total	2,504	731	-880	-512	-1,125	-1,980

CSO: Live Register

1 Data refers to the week of the second last Friday in the reference period.

2 Data refers to the week of the last Friday in the reference period.

Public Sector Staff Redeployment

Ceisteanna (97)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

97. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of employees who will be employed in the 2016 centenary programme office by grade; the criteria and processes used to select these employees; the number of applications received from employees of the Revenue Commissioners by grade and why all these applications were rejected; if unsuccessful applicants have any appeal or review options open to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter [43827/15]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The 2016 Centenary Programme Office is shared between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. In my Department, 1 Assistant Principal Officer, 1 Higher Executive Officer (seconded) and 1 Clerical Officer (seconded) will be assigned to the Programme Office.

Expressions of interest for temporary assignment to the 2016 Centenary Programme Office were sought from across the Civil Service via the Human Resource (HR) Units in each individual Department and Office. Prospective candidates were requested to complete an application form and submit their Curriculum Vitae and any relevant supporting documentation to their local HR Unit for onward transmission to the HR Unit in my Department.

All applications received (179 in total) were considered by a Selection Board comprising staff from my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Each candidate's application was scored based on the criteria specified in the application form i.e. event management / project management experience; Irish language proficiency; ICT skills; and other relevant experience. At the end of the process, 9 candidates were selected for assignment to the 2016 Centenary Programme Office. All applicants received feedback on the selection process along with a scoresheet detailing their marks under each criterion.

34 applications were received from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners broken down by grade as follows: 2 Assistant Principal Officers; 7 Higher Executive Officers; 1 Administrative Officer; 14 Executive Officers and 10 Clerical Officers.

It is open to any applicant to request further feedback from my Department's HR Unit on the selection process.

Departmental Legal Costs

Ceisteanna (98)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

98. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the total cost to his Department, and those under his aegis, for the procurement of legal services in the State from 2011 to 2015 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44566/15]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department does not procure legal services as such. When necessary, my Department avails of the services of the State Claims Agency and obtains legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General.

The legal costs incurred by my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office from 2011 to 2015 is provided in the following table:

Year	€
2011	€43,535
2012	*€241,676
2013	Nil
2014	€22,909
2015	€3,650

The table does not include any costs that have been incurred in relation to the Tribunal of Inquiry (Moriarty) or the Commissions of Investigation (Fennelly and Cregan).

*In 2012 my Department paid €241,676 in legal costs incurred in respect of the applicant's costs in proceedings taken against the previous Government about the holding of a by-election in Donegal South-West.

Disability Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (99)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

99. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if arrears under the disability allowance scheme will issue before Christmas 2015 to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43515/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I am pleased to inform you that disability allowance arrears issued to the person in question on 2 December 2015.

Carer's Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (100)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

100. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 is receiving the full entitlement under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43526/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned has been in receipt of CA since 15 July 2010 and is on a reduced rate of payment based on her husband’s earnings.

The person concerned will be requested to submit up to date information on her means so that her entitlement may be reviewed to ensure that it remains valid and correct.

Water Conservation Grant Eligibility

Ceisteanna (101)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

101. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a water conservation grant has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43528/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The eligibility criteria for the Water Conservation Grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Under regulation 5(1) a person who registers with Irish Water, as required under section 5(2)(a) of the Water Services Act 2014, on or before 30 June 2015 shall be eligible to receive the grant in 2015 if they were normally resident at the principal private residence on that date.

To date Irish Water has transferred details of over 1.3 million registered households to this Department including the details of the person concerned. A letter issued to the person concerned at the address given inviting them to apply for the grant before the deadline of 8 October 2015 and advising them that they could make this application either online or with the assistance of the Water Grant Support Team by telephone. Statutory Instrument 434 of 2015 provided for the extension of the deadline for the submission of a completed application for the Water Conservation Grant to the Department of Social Protection from 8 October 2015 to 22 October 2015. However, there is no record of the person having applied for the grant prior to the closing date.

Water Conservation Grant Eligibility

Ceisteanna (102)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

102. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a water conservation grant has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43529/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The eligibility criteria for the Water Conservation Grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Under regulation 5(1) a person who registers with Irish Water, as required under section 5(2)(a) of the Water Services Act 2014, on or before 30 June 2015 shall be eligible to receive the grant in 2015 if they were normally resident at the principal private residence on that date.

So far Irish Water has transferred details of over 1.3 million registered households to this Department. However, the details for the person concerned have not been received by the Department to date.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (103)

Sean Conlan

Ceist:

103. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has been waiting almost a month for contact from a social protection inspector so that an application under the carer's allowance scheme can be competed. [43532/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 September 2015.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 4 November 2015 to confirm the number of hours worked by the applicant and to determine if adequate care was provided for the care recipient while the person concerned was working.

Subsequently, the Department was notified of the death of the care recipient in this case.

This case will be expedited and, once the SWI has reported, a deciding officer will make a decision on the application as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

On behalf of myself and the Department, sincere sympathy is offered to the applicant and to the family of the care recipient on their recent bereavement.

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (104)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

104. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a claim under the illness benefit scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43563/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Illness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. One of the PRSI conditions is that a person must have a minimum of 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. Claims made in 2015 are governed by the 2013 tax year, and only PRSI Classes A, E, H, and P are reckonable for illness benefit purposes.

The person concerned made an application for illness benefit from 19 Oct 2015 and has an entitlement to illness benefit at the graduated personal weekly rate of €147.30 based on weekly earnings of €231.29 in 2013 . They also qualify for payment of qualified child allowance at the rate of €59.60. The total weekly entitlement is €206.90.

The person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance at the time the application for illness benefit was made. Supplementary welfare allowance is a means tested payment and it was necessary to offset any arrears of illness benefit against the amount paid by way of supplementary allowance. This has now been done and illness benefit payment issued to the bank account of the person concerned on 23/11/15.

Social Welfare Fraud Investigations

Ceisteanna (105)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

105. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will undertake a national print media advertising campaign to encourage members of the public to report social protection fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43570/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

It is evident that the vast majority of social welfare recipients are legitimately entitled to the payments they receive. However social welfare fraud undermines public confidence in the entire social protection system as well as being unfair to other recipients of social welfare payments and to taxpayers. Control of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is one of the three key functions of the Department and therefore has been one of my priorities since I came to the Department.

The Department has made some significant inroads in tackling social welfare fraud. In April of 2014 the Department published a new Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2014 – 2018. The new strategy builds on the approach and progress made under the previous Initiative.

Enhanced access channels - both online and dedicated phone lines - are available to citizens who wish to report incidences of welfare fraud. Citizens who wish to report suspected incidences of welfare fraud can do so both online and to dedicated phone lines as follows:

- By email: www.welfare.ie

- By phone: [phone] or [phone] or Locall: 1890 927999.

- By Post: Central Control Division, DSP, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

A payment is not suspended or stopped solely on the basis of an anonymous report. The anonymous report, however, may be a “trigger” for the instigation of a review of a customer’s entitlement. All anonymous or confidential reports received are examined and where relevant, are referred for follow-up action. A total of 12,787 reports were dealt with by the Department’s Control Division from January - October 2015.

There are no plans to undertake a national print media advertising campaign encouraging members of the public to report social welfare fraud at this time. It should be borne in mind that there is often a perception of fraud however when a case is examined the individual may be doing something that is allowed under the rules for the particular payment that they are in receipt of e.g. working and receiving a OPF payment provided earnings are within the limits and the Department is aware of the situation is legitimate.

Social Welfare Fraud Data

Ceisteanna (106)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

106. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons prosecuted for social protection fraud in each of the years 2013 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43571/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

It is the Department's policy to consider for prosecution cases of fraud against the social welfare system. The Department ensures that all cases that merit prosecution are forwarded for consideration of legal proceedings and must ensure that all necessary evidential proofs are available.

In considering, or when referring, cases of social welfare fraud for legal proceedings the Department applies defined and recognised best practice standards. This includes the duration of the fraud, amount overpaid, and previous incidences of social welfare fraud.

In 2013, a total of 275 cases were referred for legal proceedings; of which 207 (198 criminal and 9 civil) were sent to the Chief State Solicitors Office/DPP and a further 68 cases were referred to the Gardaí for consideration of criminal proceedings to be taken under the Criminal Justice (Fraud and Theft) Act 2001.

The corresponding figures for 2014 were 321 cases, of which 206 (201 criminal and 5 civil) cases were sent directly to the Chief State Solicitors Office//DPP and 115 cases were referred to the Gardaí.

As at the end of October 2015, the Department had sent a total of 146 cases to the Chief State Solicitors Office//DPP. The number of cases referred to the Gardaí for prosecution under Criminal Justice legislation will be collated at the end of the year. The overall total for 2015 is expected to be similar to previous years.

The Courts are totally independent of the State and Judges have the discretion to decide on the appropriate penalty to be applied in any case having regard to the evidence presented to them in relation to the case and the relevant maximum penalties.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (107)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

107. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43577/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned is in receipt of carer's allowance (CA) in respect of the care of her son since 2012. I confirm that on the 27 October 2015 the department received an application for CA from the person concerned in respect of a second care recipient, her daughter. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (108)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of meetings requested by private external lobby groups and the number of meetings held, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43605/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

As the Deputy will appreciate, in view of the range of my remit as Minister I receive representations, including requests for meetings from a broad range of sources, including members of the Oireachtas, local and voluntary groups and private individuals and companies.

I meet with a wide number of groups and organisations in the normal course of my duties both formally and informally. While my Office does not maintain a register of all such requests for meetings or invitations received, I can advise the Deputy that since 2014, I have attended some 150 meetings with a variety of individuals and groups, including meetings with representatives of those bodies under the aegis of my Department and other public representatives. These figures would not include informal unscheduled meetings that might arise from time to time.

I have met with groups such as St. Vincent de Paul, Social Justice Ireland, Barnardo’s, Age Action Ireland, Alone, Carer's Association, Centre for Independent Living, Children's Rights Alliance, DFI, EAPN, FLAC, Focus Ireland, Irish Council for Social Housing, Inclusion Ireland, INOU, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, Threshold, One Family and Simon formally, I would also meet members of these groups and others informally, in my duties while attending events both as Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.

The Deputy will be aware that the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 has recently been enacted by the Oireachtas and commenced on 1 September 2015. The Act provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission) will establish and maintain an online register of lobbying and oversee compliance with the legislative provisions. The purpose of the register is to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials. Persons lobbying have to register with the Standards Commission and are required to submit returns on their lobbying activities.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (109)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

109. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her Department's photography costs since she came into office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance by year in tabular form; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion; the policy in place regarding the booking of photographers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43637/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Photography services are used, in conjunction with some press releases and conferences, to communicate the Department’s initiatives, schemes and services to customers and to the regional and national media.

The procurement of these photography services is carried out in accordance with national and EU procurement procedures and since March 2012, the Department has been procuring photography services under the Framework Agreement established by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in February 2012.

I do not use my ministerial allowance for this purpose.

Since March 2011, photography services were used for the occasions as set out in the following table.

Year: 2011	Details	Photographer	Cost (€)
29 July 2011	Launch of JobBridge	Maxwells	1,035.16
16 Aug 2011	Departmental Summer School, Maynooth	Kevin Morris Photography	950.00
07 Nov 2011	Mortgage Arrears Seminar	Ark Photography	254.10
09 Nov 2011	Social Inclusion Forum	Ark Photography and Dragana Jurisic	547.50
21 Nov 2011	2 Social Inclusion Projects	Ark Photography	326.70
		Total 2011:	€3,113.46

Year: 2012	Details	Photographer	Cost (€)
13 Feb 2012	Launch of ‘Partial Capacity’ and ‘Employability’	Maxwells	338.25
23 Feb 2012	Launch of Pathways to Work	Maxwells	536.28
27 Apr 2012	Opening of Community Campus in Phibblestown	Lensmen	280.44
06 Sep 2012	Launch of Mortgage Information Helpline	Ark Photography	258.30
13 Sep 2012	Launch of Good Practice Guide for Breakfast Clubs	Ark Photography	184.50
17 Sep 2012	Presentation of Report of the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund	Ark Photography	184.50
15 Oct 2012	Launch of Intreo, Sligo	Joe Travers	300.00
19 Oct 2012	Intreo roadshow in Limerick	Picsure Ltd (Kieran Clancy)	233.70
26 Oct 2012	Employer roadshow in Galway	Joe Travers	125.00
01 Nov 2012	Employer roadshow in Cork	Tony O’Connell Photography	227.00
16 Nov 2012	Employer roadshow in Dublin	Ark Photography	258.30
		Total 2012:	€2,926.27

Year: 2013	Details	Photographer	Cost (€)
22 Mar 2013	Launch of Intreo in Tallaght	Lensmen	323.48
16 Apr 2013	Launch of JobBridge Arts in Killarney	MacMonagle Photography	338.25
19 Apr 2013	Briefing for Employers in Blanchardstown and Launch of Intreo in Blanchardstown	Lensmen	851.25
1 May 2013	Publication of Indecon Report on JobBridge	Lensmen	589.79
2 May 2013	EU Presidency Conference, Leuven	Peter Cavanagh	707.25
10 May 2013	Kilkenny Local Office	Vicky Comerford	123.00
18 July 2013	Launch of Pathways to Work	Maxwells	482.16
25 Sept 2013	Inaugural Meeting of the Labour Market Advisory Council	Maxwells	424.35
22 Nov 2013	Launch of Intreo in Loughrea (Minister and Taoiseach)	Joe Travers	225.00
		Total 2013:	€4,064.53

Year: 2014	Details	Photographer	Cost (€)
15 Jan 2014	Launch of Benefit of Work ready reckoner and official opening of Intreo in Ballyfermot office	Ark Photography	322.88
20 Jan 2014	Official opening of Intreo in Limerick	Kieran Clancy	221.40
21 Feb 2014	Official opening of Intreo in Castlebar	Joe Travers	300.00
3 April 2014	Medical Assessor Admin Conference	Bobby Studios Photography	270.60
30 April 2014	Launch of Interim Report of Labour Market Council	Ark Photography	258.30
10 Oct 2014	Launch of Pathways to Work 2015	Ark Photography	387.45
29 Dec 2014	Official launch of secondment of Gardaí to Special Investigations Unit	Mac Innes Photography	€378.84
Total 2014			€2,139.47

Year: 2015	Details	Photographer	Cost (€)
24 April 2015	Tánaiste meeting with French Prime Minister in Leinster House	Mac Innes Photography	€246.32
28 Sept 2015	Launch of Jobs Week	Maxwell Photography	€413.28
11 Nov 2015	Launch of Intreo in Galway	Joe Travers Photography	€175.00

Public Relations Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (110)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

110. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her Department's use of external public relations firms since she came into office by year, in tabular form; the uses of these firms and the policy regarding employing them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43653/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

In line with Department of Social Protection policy, the press office deals with all media queries and public relations matters. It is the Department’s policy to use in-house resources as much as possible and to restrict the use of external firms to a minimum.

During the period referred to by the Deputy, the Department has used the services of one external public relations firm for training purposes, details of which are outlined in the following table.

Year	Company	Function
2012	Carr Communications, 5 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.	Communications training for senior management.
2014	Carr Communications, 5 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.	Media Skills one-day training for a group of officials.
2015	Carr Communications, 5 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.	Interview training for a group of managers.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (111)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

111. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reports she commissioned from external consultants since March 2011 by year, by title, by cost, by date published and by company in tabular form. [43669/15]

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 information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables.

Report	Name of Consultants	Commissioned	Publication Date	Cost €
External quality assessment of DSP Internal Audit under the D/PER Internal Audit standards 2012	EisnerAmper Ireland	Nov-2015	Internal Management Report	€5,535
Analysis & Measurement of Poverty & Social Exclusion 2015 Programme: 1. Changes in social risks by life-cycle group 2. Developing a multi-dimensional quality of life indicator	ESRI	Q3 2015	Q1-Q2 2016	€80,000
Jobseeker Customer Satisfaction Survey	W5 Marketing Intelligence Ltd	Aug-2015	Q1 2016	€71,463
Confidential Information Security Report	Deloitte	July 2015	Internal Management Report	€7,749
Social Inclusion Forum – Conference Report	Aidan Lloyd	Mar-2015	Q4 2015	€1,650
Policy and practice report: Key lessons learned from the Ballymun Youth Guarantee Project	NUI Maynooth	Jan-2015	March 2015	€11,135*
Evaluation of the Disability Activation Project	Indecon International Economic Consultants	Feb-2015	November 2015	€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	To be determined following completion of the review	€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. Sept-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

Ministerial Advisers Data

Ceisteanna (112)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

112. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of special advisers on her staff and their yearly salary, from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43685/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The amount spent by the Department of Social Protection on special advisors for the years 2007-2015 is outlined in the attached tabular statement. Costs include basic salary and employer’s liability with regard to pay related social insurance.

TABULAR STATEMENT

SPECIAL ADVISORS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2007 TO 2015

YEAR	SPECIAL ADVISORS	TOTAL SALARY	T&S	ANNUAL COST
2015 ( to week 52)
Tánaiste Joan Burton T.D.	4	€459,643	€107	€459,750
2014
Tánaiste Joan Burton T.D.*	4	€191,319	€0	€191,319
Minister Joan Burton T.D	2	€130,975	€0	€130,975
Total 2014				€322,294
2013
Minister Joan Burton T.D.	2	€221, 869	€464	€222.333
2012
Minister Joan Burton T.D.	2	€225,116	€646	€225,762
2011
Minister Joan Burton T.D.	2	€97,833	€0	€97,833
Minister Eamon O Cúiv T.D.	2	€37,921	€0	€37,921
Total 2011				€135,754
2010
Minister Eamon O Cúiv T.D.	2	€134,959	€955	€135,914
Minister Mary Hanafin T.D.	2	€47,261	€69	€47,330
Total 2010				€183,244
2009
Minister Mary Hanafin T.D.	2	€186,976	€405	€187,381
2008
Minister Mary Hanafin T.D.	2	€111,752	€470	€112,222
Minister Martin Cullen T.D.	1	€35,099	€0	€35,099
Total 2008				€147,321
2007
Minister Martin Cullen T.D.	1	€48,269	€0	€48,269
Minister Seamus Brennan T.D.	2	€110,899	€22,127	€133,026
Total 2007				€181,295

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (113)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

113. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing rent supplement limits by 5%, 10% and 15% in the urban areas of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43739/15]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 62,000 people at a cost of €298 million in 2015. The provision for 2015 represents a transfer of funding in excess of €20 million to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to support the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

A review of the rent limits undertaken earlier this year found that the impact of increasing limits at a time of constrained supply will increase costs disproportionately for the Exchequer with little or no new housing available to recipients. Analysis shows that increasing the current rent limits nationwide by 5% would result in a full year cost in excess of €15 million; a 10% increase would carry a cost of almost €32 million, with a 15% increase costing approximately €51 million. A breakdown of this cost on a county basis is not available; however, as an approximation, the costs to apply such an increase in the Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford regions, would account for approximately 70% of the total share of increased costs for the scheme. Though the costing model accurately reflects the increased cost for the scheme, the likelihood is that increased supply would not be achieved as the market would adjust to the revised rent limits.

Rather than increasing limits at this time rent supplement policy will continue to allow for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of current limits. Flexibility is provided under the National Framework for Tenancy Sustainment for both existing customers of the scheme and new applicants. As part of this flexible approach the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special Protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where supply issues have been particularly acute. Plans are actively underway to extend this Protocol to Galway City. This approach has assisted over 5,400 households nationwide to retain their rented accommodation through increased rent payments.

I believe that these measures and the reforms to the private rental sector announced in November will provide increased certainty for both tenants and landlords in the current market.

Living Alone Allowance

Ceisteanna (114)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

114. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the living alone allowance to €15 and to €20; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43745/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The cost of increasing the Living Alone Allowance to €15 and €20 per week is €60.5 million and €110.8 million, respectively, in a full year.

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (115)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

115. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the saving she has achieved from the abolition of the telephone allowance in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43746/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The 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. The Department had to make provision for an additional €168 million in 2015 for the increasing number of pensioners. 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 was estimated to provide annual savings of €48 million, and with the year-on-year increase in the number of people qualifying for the household benefits package, this yearly saving will increase. These savings 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. €227 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 416,000 customers.

I am keenly aware of the impact of Budget decisions on the Department’s clients, and I have sought to ensure that the money available is targeted in the most effective way. In Budget 2016, I was able to announce the first increase in the basic rate of the State pension in seven years, by €3 per week. This will increase the personal rate of the non-contributory pension to €222, and that of the contributory pension to €233.30. I was also pleased to announce a €2.50 increase in the rate of the Fuel Allowance, from €20 to €22.50 per week. I believe that, taken together with other changes, such as increasing the Christmas Bonus to 75% of weekly rate, the impact of this Budget will be very positive for older people.

Social Welfare Schemes

Ceisteanna (116)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

116. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the saving she has achieved from the cuts to free electricity and gas units during the lifetime of the Government, by year to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43747/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Department pays an electricity or gas allowance as part of the household benefits package to 416,000 customers, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2015. The electricity and gas allowance is currently €35 per month. There have been no reductions to this allowance in recent budgets. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full.

Changes were made to the household benefits package and fuel scheme during 2011. These changes were provided for in Budget 2011, which was introduced by the previous Government, but details were not specified at the time. The number of free units provided under the electricity and gas allowance was reduced to the level at the start of 2007 (from 2,400 to 1,800). This change was effective from September 2011. Estimated savings for this measure at that time were €29.8 million per year. As this benefit is now delivered by means of a cash amount, rather than the purchase of a set number of units, my Department is no longer in a position to state the actual saving this particular change will deliver in 2015.

Effective from April 2012, new applicants for carer’s allowance, who are not living with the person for whom they are providing care, are not entitled to household benefits. It is estimated that this affects approximately 1,000 people in a full year, yielding an estimated saving of approximately €420,000 per annum.

In 2013, the electricity and gas allowance was aligned with the cheapest available market rate for 1,800 units of electricity. Previously the rate had been based on the price of one supplier. This provided a saving to the Department but also allowed customers to obtain savings by switching to cheaper companies without the loss of any credit that may have built up, which wasn’t possible under the old system. Estimated savings from this measure was €20 million in 2013 and €22.6 million in each subsequent full year.

Direct Provision Expenditure

Ceisteanna (117)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

117. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the direct provision adult allowance from €19.10 to €25.00, €30.00, €35.00, €38.74, and the cost of increasing the allowance paid in respect of children from €9.60 to €15.00, €20.00, €25.00, €29.80 per year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43756/15]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The direct provision allowance is a non-statutory payment administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to persons in the Direct Provision system. Government has provided €3.5 million for the direct provision allowance in 2015.

There are approximately 2,990 adults and 1,100 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom the direct provision allowance is being paid. The full year cost of increasing the weekly direct provision allowance payment based on current numbers in respect of adults from €19.10 to €25, to €30, to €35, and €38.74; and the cost of increasing the allowance paid in respect of children from €9.60 to €15, €20, €25 and €29.80; is provided in the following table. The numbers of persons seeking asylum in Ireland is increasing which would increase the costs as set out.

The recent Report of the Working Group on the Protection Process recommended an increase in the rate of the direct provision allowance payment in respect of adults and children. The Government in its decision of the 30 June 2015 recommended that the Report should in the first instance be the subject of detailed discussion at the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The recommendation in relation to the rate of direct provision allowance will be considered by the Cabinet Committee in due course.

Cost of increasing the rate of direct provision allowance:

Adult rate €19.10	Additional Annual Cost
Increase to €25	€920,000
Increase to €30	€1,700,000
Increase to €35	€2,470,000
Increase to €38.74	€3,060,000
Child rate €9.60	Additional Annual Cost
Increase to €15	€310,000
Increase to €20	€590,000
Increase to €25	€880,000
Increase to €29.80	€1,150,000