Written Answers Nos. 133-143
133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8863/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 8 February 2017. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
134. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8864/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 27 January 2017. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. Please do contact my office if you require any further assistance with this query.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
135. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8865/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 14 October 2016.
On 10 January 2017 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. Although some information requested was submitted, there are some items outstanding. A reminder for these documents issued to the person concerned on 20 February 2017. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision to refuse jobseeker's allowance will be urgently reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8884/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment of jobseeker’s allowance was suspended after the person concerned declared means to an officer of the Department. According to the Department’s records the person concerned does not have a dependent child. As informed by letter on 9th February 2017 if the person concerned wishes to appeal this decision they may do so by contacting their Local Office before 2 March 2017.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial hardship it is open to them to contact their local Community Welfare Officer.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for jobseeker's benefit in the case of a person (details supplied); if supplementary welfare will issue in the interim due to ongoing hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8896/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per response to Question No. 188 of 2 February 2017, an application for jobseeker’s benefit was submitted in the case of the person concerned. Specific documentation was requested from the person concerned in order to complete the application. This documentation is still outstanding and upon receipt, a decision will issue as soon as possible. If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties it is open to him to contact his local Community Welfare Service to apply for a supplementary welfare allowance. If you require any further assistance on this query please do not hesitate to contact my office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
138. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who are in receipt of the free travel scheme that are under and over 66 years of age respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8913/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested regarding the age profile of free travel customers is as follows –
Under 66 years 245,931
Over 66 years 628,707
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of private bus transport companies that have opted into the free travel scheme; if he will provide a list of those companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8915/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 80 private operators participating in the free travel scheme and of this 60 are bus companies.
The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
County |
Company Name |
Routes |
|
Cavan |
Sillan Tours Ltd. |
Cootehill- Shercock- Dublin (Daily except Saturday) |
|
Cork |
Barry's Coaches Ltd |
Cobh Town area (Mon-Sat) |
|
Cork |
Joseph P Foley |
Effin-Charleville (Fridays only) |
|
Cork |
Maurice & Felix O Donoghue |
Castletownbere-Bantry (Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat) |
|
Cavan |
Leydon Coaches |
Swanlinbar- Cavan |
|
Donegal |
Bus Feda Teoranta |
Donegal-Sligo-Mayo-Galway (Twice Daily) |
|
Donegal |
Foyle Coaches (North West Busways Ltd) |
Shrove-Derry |
|
Donegal |
McGeehan Coaches/John & Michael |
Glencolmcille-Letterkenny (Mon-Sun) |
|
Donegal |
John McGinley |
Annagry-Dublin (Mon-Sun) |
|
Donegal |
Joseph Mangan |
Letterkenny-Crolly (Mon-Sat) |
|
Donegal |
Patrick Gallagher Brinaleck |
Dungloe-Belfast |
|
Donegal |
Patrick Gallagher Churchill Ltd |
Glen - Letterkenny (Mon-Sat) |
|
Donegal |
Hugh McGonagle |
Cockhill- Bridgend |
|
Donegal |
Doherty's Travel/Seamus Doherty |
Dungloe-Dungloe(via Crolly, Annagry,Burtonport) (Mon-Sat) |
|
Dublin |
Last Passive (T/A Aircoach) |
Greystones and Dublin Airport via Port Tunnel |
|
Dublin |
Citibus |
Portlaoise-Dublin Airport |
|
Dublin |
Dualway Coaches Ltd |
The Square Tallaght-Dublin Airport |
|
Dublin |
Eirebus Ltd |
Eden Quay, Dublin City Centre and Swords Manor |
|
Galway |
Irish Citylink ComfortDelgro |
Galway and Dublin Airport via Dublin City (Multistop -Route No:763) |
|
Galway |
Farragher International Travel |
Tuam-Kilcuriff |
|
Galway |
Galway City Direct Ltd |
Carrigeen Estate Clybaun to Eyre Square Nth, Galway |
|
Galway |
Burke Bros.Coaches Ltd |
Tuam and Tuam |
|
Galway |
Lally Coach Hire |
Tourist Office-Rossaveal |
|
Galway |
Farrell Travel T/A Buslink |
Athenry-Galway |
|
Kerry |
David Culloty (T/A Tralee Peoples Bus Service) |
Tralee Town Service (Mon-Sat) |
|
Kerry |
John Liston T/A GoCoach |
Dingle and Killarney ( Mon -Sun 3 times per day) April to Oct |
|
Kilkenny |
Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Ltd |
Urlingford-Kilkenny (Mon-Sat) |
|
Kilkenny |
JJ Kavanagh & Sons Ltd |
Urlingford-Kilkenny (Mon-Sat) |
|
Kilkenny |
Michael Kilbride |
Gariguenamanagh-Kilkenny (Mon-Fri) |
|
Kilkenny |
Buggy's Coaches Ltd/Denis Buggy |
Castlecomer PO - The Parade, Kilkenny |
|
Kilkenny |
Avalen Ltd. |
Clonmel-Dublin Airport (Mon-Sun) |
|
Kilkenny |
Kenneallys Bus Service Ltd |
Tramore-Dub Airport (Mon-Sun) |
|
Laois |
Slieve Bloom Coach Tours Ltd. |
Portlaoise-Tullamore (Mon-Fri) |
|
Laois |
P.J. Martely (Martley's of Portlaoise) |
Portlaoise & UCD Belfield |
|
Leitrim |
Brian Doherty |
Drumkeeran-Sligo (Friday only) |
|
Leitrim |
Westlink Coaches Ltd |
Drumshambo-Sligo (Mon-Fri) |
|
Limerick |
Catherine Madigan |
Ardagh Village Service (Tuesday p.m. only) |
|
Limerick |
Michael Donegan (Donegan's Mini Bus) |
Leeney's Cross-Charleville (Fri only) |
|
Limerick |
Michael Kelly/Kelly Travel |
Killduff-Pallasgreen (Tuesday & Sat only) |
|
Limerick |
William Keogh |
Tournafulla-Abbeyfeale (Fri only) |
|
Louth |
Halpenny Transport Ltd. |
Dundalk-Blackrock (Mon-Sun) |
|
Mayo |
Damien Treacy (Treacy Coaches) |
Ballina-Sligo (Mon-Sat) |
|
Mayo |
McNulty Coaches (John McNulty) |
Belmullet-Castlebar (Mon-Sat with restrictions Thurs & Sat) |
|
Mayo |
Sean Heneghan (Heneghan Bus Hire) |
Tourmakeady - Castlebar |
|
Mayo |
McGrath's Coaches (Michael McGrath) |
Glenamoy-Glenamoy |
|
Mayo |
Michael Corduff |
Rossport – Belmullet (via Kilgalligan and Porturlin) |
|
Monaghan |
Matthews Coach Hire |
Dublin - Dundalk (Mon-Sun) |
|
Monaghan |
McConnon Travel Ltd. |
Monaghan-Dublin (Mon-Sat) |
|
Monaghan |
Collins Coaches |
Ballybay-Dublin-Ballybay (Mon-Sun) |
|
Offaly |
K.Buggy Coaches Ltd. |
Tullamore Town Service (Mon-Sun) |
|
Offaly |
Kearns Transport |
Portumna-Dublin (Sun-Sat) |
|
Sligo |
Joseph Doherty |
Swinford-Sligo (Mon-Fri) |
|
Waterford |
Suirway Bus & Coach Service Ltd |
Dunmore East P.O.- Waterford (Mon-Sun) |
|
Wexford |
Ardcavan Coach Tours Ltd. |
Wellington Bridge, Wexford - Dublin (Mon-Sun) |
|
Wexford |
Gorey Bus Links Ltd. |
Gorey Railway Station-Gorey Railway Station(Mon-Sun) |
|
Wexford |
IP Passenger Services/B.Crowley |
Wexford - Kilmore Quay (Mon-Sat) |
|
Wexford |
Matt Whelan |
Ballyedmond and Gorey |
|
Wicklow |
Eugene Finnegan (Finnegan Bray) |
Southern Cross Road - Luas (Mon-Sun) |
|
Wicklow |
John Doyle (St Kevins Bus Service) |
Glendalough-Dublin (St. Stephens Green) (Mon-Sun) |
|
Wexford |
Nash Minibus & Coach Hire |
Taghmon - Wexford |
140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the frequency of use or non-use by persons in receipt of the free travel scheme is recorded or audited; the number of persons using the free travel scheme on private bus transport companies; the number of persons using the free travel scheme on public bus and other transport services; his plans to make changes to the scheme based on results of any such audits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8917/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere the Integrated Ticketing System is enabled by transport operators and the customer is using the new Public Services Card Free Travel variant (rather than the paper free travel pass), it is possible to collect some data on usage. However, as the Integrated Ticketing System has limited roll-out across transport operators at present, the precise data requested by the Deputy is not currently available to my Department. The full roll-out of the free travel variant of Public Services Card will allow for more comprehensive data to be collected on usage or non-usage of free travel when all transport operators have implemented the Integrated Ticketing System. It is important to note however, that if a customer is issued with a free travel pass and does not use it there is no cost to my Department apart from the administrative cost of issuing the pass and maintaining records.
Payments to private travel operators are determined by way of a survey of their passenger numbers at a given point in time. New private operators seeking to enter the free travel scheme or existing private free travel operators seeking an increase in their payments must go through the survey process. Where surveys of operators have not been undertaken in recent years my Department has asked operators to put such surveys in train as part of its control and review strategy.
In addition to the surveys my Department carries out periodic inspections of private operators within the free travel scheme. The inspections are a means of monitoring the scheme to ensure compliance with my Department’s requirements and to confirm information already held on file in relation to operators, routes and schedules. If an operator is found, in the course of an inspection, not to be complying fully with the terms of their agreement, the matter is referred to the National Transport Authority, who is the licensing authority.
My Department makes a block payment to the CIE Group in respect of transport services provided nationwide by the Group and the apportionment of payment between the three constituent companies, Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann is a matter for the CIE Group to determine.
In relation to CIE, rather than carrying out specific surveys of usage, my Department moved to a service model based on the transportation infrastructure and the introduction of new services e.g. LUAS and removal of the restrictions on free travel during peak hours. At each stage, my Department has negotiated rates and discounts to reflect these developments. Payments for LUAS were calculated on the basis of ridership and ticket survey information.
I am fully committed to maintaining the Free Travel scheme and there are no plans to make any changes to customer eligibility for the scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he has taken to protect the all-Ireland free travel scheme that allows a cardholder to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland using a senior smartpass card (details supplied) in view of Brexit and the triggering of Article 50; if he and or his officials have met with Northern Irish counterparts on this matter and other shared social protection schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8919/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 874,000 customers with direct eligibility with an annual allocation of €80 million.
The All Ireland free travel scheme was introduced in April 2007. The scheme allows a free travel pass holder (those aged 66 and older) to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland using a senior smartpass card. Similarly, Northern Ireland senior smartpass holders (aged 65 years or older) are entitled to travel for free on services in Ireland using their existing senior smartpass card.
This is a bilateral arrangement, and does not apply to other parts of the EU.
It is important to state that the current arrangements with regard to the All-Ireland free travel scheme are not affected for some time to come. The future operation of arrangements will, of course, be determined as part of the complex process of negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU.
Clearly, a key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social security schemes and services between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland. This, of course, includes the arrangements for All Ireland free travel scheme.
The Government's long-term objective is to ensure that the reciprocity of civic rights which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the Common Travel Area [CTA], are safeguarded and maintained. I have strongly emphasised the importance of this issue in my meetings with the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Right Hon. Damian Green, M.P. on 2nd February 2017 and with Mr Damian Hinds, Minister for Employment, UK Department of Work and Pensions at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council [EPSCO] on 8 December 2016. In addition, as a member of the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, I will take every opportunity to protect and advance this objective as will my officials.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
142. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has signed the statutory instrument to effect the changes to social welfare entitlements for councillors as referred to in the Social Welfare Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 10 of the Social Welfare Act 2016 provided for the exclusion of members of a local authority from the Class K PRSI charge. Previously, councillors paid PRSI at the Class K rate of 4% on their income as public office holders, provided that income exceeded €5,200 per annum. Payment of Class K by councillors was not reckonable towards establishing entitlement to social insurance pensions and benefits.
Section 10 of the Act came into effect on 1 January 2017 via the Social Welfare Act 2016 (Section 10) (Commencement) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 673 of 2016).
The Social Welfare (Consolidated Contributions and Insurability) (Amendment) (No. 2) (Excepted Emoluments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 671 of 2016) brought, in general, the income of members of a local authority into the Class S PRSI charge as self-employed contributors. These Regulations, which also came into effect on 1 January 2017, provided that members of a local authority would continue to pay a 4% charge on their income, but, on the basis of paying Class S, they would be now be entitled to access the same social insurance benefits available to self-employed people.
Therefore, all the necessary statutory instruments in relation to this matter have been signed.
Payment of S Class contributions provides entitlement to a range of benefits, subject to satisfying the contribution conditions for these schemes. These include state pension (contributory), widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory) as well as maternity benefit and adoptive benefit. Since September 2016, Class S contributors can also access the newly introduced paternity benefit.
143. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) concerning gross human rights violations in the Syrian Government's Saydnaya prison; his views on the call for an urgent and independent investigation into crimes committed at the prison; the action he has taken on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have taken note of the “Human Slaughterhouse” report issued by Amnesty International on the mass murder of detainees by the Assad regime. The details of this report set out the unspeakable and systematic murder of Syrian civilians by the Assad regime.
This report corroborates the February 2016 report by the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry which found that the Assad regime has committed war crimes and the “crimes against humanity of extermination, murder, rape or other forms of sexual violence, torture, imprisonment, enforced disappearance and other inhuman acts.”
In this context, I reiterate Ireland’s long-standing support for legal accountability for war crimes in Syria. Ireland has consistently pressed for action by the international community to ensure that those committing these crimes do not enjoy impunity for their acts.
I welcome the December 2016 decision of the UN General Assembly to establish an independent, impartial independent accountability mechanism for Syria. Ireland was one of the large majority of States voting in favour of its establishment. Our Mission to the United Nations have reported on the steps taken to implement the decision and we will consider all options Ireland can take to give practical support to United Nations in ensuring its effectiveness.
