Written Answers Nos. 206-217
206. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if priority will be given to An Post in regard to the distribution of social protection payments, as it is critical to the survival of the rural post office network that all these payments continue to be available through post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12112/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department makes a significant contribution to An Post through the current contract for cash services. In 2015 there were over 38 million social welfare transactions in An Post at a cost of €54 million to my department. These welfare payments through post offices are across all of the department’s major schemes: state pension, jobseekers, one parent family payments, widow/ers or survivors pensions, carers payments, disability payments and child benefit.
My department prioritises customer choice and convenience where appropriate in the method by which customers receive their social welfare payments. For the vast majority of the schemes my department will make payment directly to a bank account or make available a cash payment at a Post Office in line with customer choice. Payment options are set out on scheme application forms with no emphasis or preference on either payment method.
Where customer choice is available the vast majority of customers are choosing to have their payments made direct to bank accounts and my department will respect this choice.
Primary responsibility for An Post and the Post Office network rests with my colleagues the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources and the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and Gaeltacht.
My department, along with the department of Public Expenditure and Reform, will work closely with these departments as appropriate and necessary in considering the recommendations of the recent Post Office Network Business Development Group or as it is known, the Kerr Report.
207. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to address the inequality faced by self-employed persons who receive no supports in the event of sickness, accident or unemployment, despite contributing similar to the PAYE sector during their working lifetime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new partnership Government aims to create an additional 200,000 jobs by 2010, including 135,000 outside of Dublin. This will be achieved by continuing and enhancing a supportive environment for enterprise and employment.
In particular, the role of entrepreneurs and the self-employed will be central to this ambition. The new programme agreed with our partners in Government contains a commitment to introduce an improved PRSI scheme for the self-employed. In addition, we will also ensure that the Earned Income Tax Credit available to the self-employed will match that available to employees, over a number of budgets. This process commenced in Budget 2016 with the introduction of a €550 tax credit.
I want to ensure that appropriate sustainable supports are available to the self-employed in the event of certain contingencies arising. The self-employed already have access to State pension (contributory), widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardians payment (contributory), maternity benefit and adoptive benefit on the same basis as employees. They will also gain access to the new paternity benefit which will be introduced later this year. They can also access jobseeker’s allowance, disability allowance and supplementary welfare allowance on a means-tested basis.
However, unlike the position with employees, they are not covered under the social insurance system for certain contingencies such as long-term illnesses or disability. The former Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare published a report in 2013 which examined the options for extension of cover to the self-employed.
This is a valuable contribution to the issue and my Department will be examining all of the available options in the coming months. This examination will include the level of appropriate additional contribution the self-employed should make for more benefits.
I look forward to making progress on this issue later this year.
208. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of increasing the weekly disability allowance by €20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12144/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment which is paid to persons aged 16 to 66 who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria). The estimated cost in 2017 (and a full year) of increasing the weekly personal rate of Disability Allowance by €20, from €188 to €208 per week, is €131.2 million. Each €1 increase in the weekly personal rate would cost €6.6 million in 2017 and a full year.
There is an analogous social insurance payment, Invalidity Pension, which is paid to persons who are permanently incapable of work (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria and a minimum number - 5 years - of paid Class A PRSI contributions). Each €1 increase in the weekly rate of Invalidity Pension would cost €2.9 million in 2017 and a full year.
In addition, Blind pension is available for those aged 18 to 66 who are blind or visually impaired. The cost of a €1 weekly personal increase in the Blind Pension is €0.07 million in 2017 and a full year.
It should be noted that (i) in the event of the Disability Allowance weekly rate exceeding the Invalidity Pension rate, some Invalidity pensioners (number not determinable) would transfer to the means tested Disability Allowance scheme to avail of the higher rate on that scheme; (ii) the costs shown above do not include the cost of proportionate increases for qualified adults; (iii) any additional costs which might arise as some persons in receipt of other welfare schemes might potentially apply for and qualify for Disability Allowance thereby also benefitting from a higher rate of payment than that which applies to their current scheme or (iv) offsetting savings on the Rent Supplement scheme as the additional weekly increase would reduce the level of entitlement under that scheme.
All of the costings above are provisional and may be subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients. The costs outlined above are based on recipient data for 2016.
209. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding allocated to the reasonable accommodation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12146/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reasonable accommodation fund for the employment of people with disabilities assists employers to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability/impairment to have access to employment by providing a range of grants. These grants and supports include:
- the workplace equipment and adaptation grant,
- the personal reader grant,
- the job interview interpreter grant, and
- the employee retention grant.
The reasonable accommodation fund is a demand-led scheme in that the applicant applies directly to DSP for these grants, and therefore, there is no specified funding level allocated to this scheme.
211. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the funding to the school meals programme by 40%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12211/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to schools and organisations at a total cost of €42 million in 2016.
There are two schemes operated under the school meals programme. The first scheme is the school meals local projects scheme through which funding is provided directly to participating schools and local and voluntary community groups who run their own school meals projects. There were over 1,330 schools, preschools and other groups participating in the school meals local projects scheme in the academic year 2014/2015, benefitting approximately 155,000 children at a cost of €37.7 million in 2015. The second is the urban school meals scheme which is operated by local authorities in some 300 schools and part-financed by the Department, benefitting approximately 55,000 children at a cost of €1.1 million in 2015.
Based on the 2016 budgetary allocation of €42 million, the additional annual cost of expanding the school meals programme by 40% is €16.8 million, at a cost of approximately €6.5 million in the first year covering the new school term from September to December. Any changes to social welfare schemes can only be considered in a budgetary context.
213. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring farm assist to pre-2013 conditions of payment based on current numbers and allowances. [12229/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains the commitment to undertake a "Review of the Farm Assist Scheme, recognising the challenges facing farmers on low incomes". I have asked my officials to review the farm assist scheme from a policy and an administrative point of view. Any changes to the scheme will have to be considered in a budgetary context. The particular information that the Deputy has requested is currently not available but is being calculated by my Department. Given the complex nature of the request, my Department will provide the information directly to the Deputy in due course.
214. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extra resources and personnel that will be deployed to the Irish Embassy in Paris and the Irish Honorary Consulate offices in France during the upcoming UEFA football championship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11938/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Championships are taking place against a backdrop of heightened security concerns in France, which remains in a state of National Emergency since the terrorist attacks of 13 November. Our advice to Irish citizens intending to travel to France is that they should exercise a high degree of caution. Detailed travel advice is available on my Department’s website – www.dfa.ie and I would encourage all those considering travel to France to study it carefully. In view of the large numbers of Irish fans expected to travel, and the exceptional security situation in France, my Department has been developing and implementing a comprehensive action plan to ensure that Embassy of Ireland in Paris is supported in its capacity to deal with the likely increased consular demand over the course of the European Championship. My Department is working closely with An Garda Síochána, the Football Association of Ireland and travel industry representatives on planning and preparation. Our Ambassador in Paris, Geraldine Byrne-Nason and her team have been working intensively with UEFA and the relevant national and local authorities in France in relation to all aspects of planning.
In terms the additional personnel being made available, the Embassy will be reinforced with an additional five experienced officers redeployed from Headquarters in Dublin. Officials will be present on the ground in Paris, Bordeaux and Lille around match dates to provide advice and emergency consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty.
Additional resources have also been allocated and there will be a dedicated Euro2016 consular phone line operational 7 days a week from 10 June at 00 33 1441 76780. Specialised consular and emergency response training has been delivered to the staff at the Embassy and additional communications and IT equipment has also been provided in order to enhance our consular capacity. Furthermore, additional financial resources have been allocated to the Embassy to cover extra transport, communications and other costs during the period of the tournament.
The Consular Division of the Department is working very closely with the Embassy in Paris on contingency planning and, in this context, organised a crisis simulation exercise on May 4 which also involved participation by Garda representatives and the FAI. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has prepared an information campaign targeted at travelling football fans to help them be as well-informed and prepared as possible in advance of the tournament. I launched this campaign on April 18th highlighting the “First Eleven” travel tips for Irish fans. A dedicated microsite has been published in order to relay all of the Department’s key information in relation to the tournament: www.dfa.ie/euo2016. A printed information leaflet will be distributed at the upcoming friendly matches at the Aviva stadium and will be provided to airports, ferry ports, and Irish pubs in France and pushed out on social media.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will launch a Travel App in June that will be a valuable source of information for Irish citizens abroad and will be an important communications tool for our Government’s consular response in the event of any emergency abroad.
215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to north Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy visit to Belfast last week was my first since my re-appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I undertook a series of meetings with political, community and sports representatives. During my visit, I put forward the Government’s position on the UK-EU Referendum and our priorities in the new Programme for Government, which has detailed commitments in relation to Northern Ireland.
I met with the newly appointed Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Robin Newton MLA, and with the recently reappointed deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness MLA. I made clear the Government’s readiness to work together with the Executive and the Assembly, in the months and years ahead, on the important issues facing our island, North and South, including the full implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements.
I also held discussions with the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Ms. Judith Thompson, and UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Mr. Pablo de Greiff on issues arising from the legacy of the past, including how to progress the establishment of the institutions provided for under the Stormont House Agreement. Following the recent Assembly elections, it is now crucial that the outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the past are resolved and the necessary political agreement achieved.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Mr. Les Allamby. Our discussion focused on the human rights commitments contained in the Good Friday Agreement some of which are still outstanding. As a co-guarantor, the Government is determined to work to ensure the full implementation of the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements.
I visited the Houben Centre in the grounds of the Holy Cross monastery in North Belfast, to meet with community representatives and to show my solidarity with them as they work to improve their local area in the face of considerable challenges. While there, I met with the widow of Michael McGibbon, who was murdered earlier this month, and expressed to her my condolences and those of the Government.
I also met with Mr. Jim Shaw, the President of the Irish Football Association, ahead of the participation by both the Ireland and Northern Ireland teams in the Euro2016 championships. We discussed this very positive development for soccer on the island of Ireland, as well as some of the practical arrangements relating to the travel of tens of thousands of fans of both teams to France next month.
Following on from my visit to Belfast, I was in Derry yesterday and today for a programme which included elements on the EU referendum in the UK, the Irish language and community relations. These early visits are a signal of the high priority which the Government attaches to North/South matters and this will be reflected in regular Northern Ireland engagements.
216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meetings he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or with the Executive parties in view of recent murders and the escalation of violence in parts of Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12104/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been three murders in Belfast in recent months – those of Adrian Ismay, Michael McGibbon, and Dan Murray – and a number of shootings. Each was a brutal act of criminality which should have no place in our society. I would encourage anyone with information regarding any of these crimes to bring it to the PSNI. My thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends of those affected, and with those who were wounded in other shooting incidents. I visited the Holy Cross monastery in North Belfast last week, to meet with community representatives and to show my solidarity with them in their ongoing work towards building a reconciled Belfast. While there, I met with the widow of Michael McGibbon and expressed to her my condolences and those of the Government.
Since my reappointment as Minister, I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. We are both firmly resolved to ensure that there is progress on matters of mutual cooperation, including our commitment under the Fresh Start Agreement to achieve a society free of paramilitarism and to reinforce efforts to tackle organised crime and criminality.
That work is already underway, including through the formation of a Joint Agency Task Force to tackle cross-border organised crime. That Task Force is led by senior officers from the PSNI, An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and HM Revenue and Customs.
I look forward to working closely with the new Stormont Executive when it is formed, including the incoming Minister for Justice, in taking forward these issues.
217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meetings he proposes to hold in Northern Ireland over the next few weeks regarding the forthcoming British referendum on membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12108/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a unique perspective and interest in the outcome of the upcoming referendum on UK membership of the European Union. We fully respect that the outcome of the referendum is, first and foremost, a decision for UK voters to make on 23 June. However, I and my Government colleagues are committed to engaging with the debate to ensure that the Irish perspective is heard and understood. In relation to Northern Ireland, I strongly believe that the causes of peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Northern Ireland have been immeasurably assisted by Ireland and the United Kingdom being common members of the European Union. I have set out the Government’s position in detail on the Northern Ireland dimension to the referendum debate, including within Northern Ireland and in Great Britain. Most recently, I discussed the referendum with party leaders in a series of contacts following the recent elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. I addressed the issue in media interviews in Belfast last week. Yesterday evening, I visited Derry, where my programme of engagements included a speech to the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce with considerable focus on the EU referendum.
During these final weeks of the referendum campaign, the Government is arranging a targeted series of Ministerial visits to Great Britain and Northern Ireland so we can reach out directly and contribute our perspectives to the referendum debate. Part of this targeted outreach involves continued engagement in Northern Ireland, with further visits to take place there in the coming weeks.
