Written Answers Nos. 243-263
243. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that since the Irish Aviation Authority took charge of aviation security in 2013, there are only three full-time aviation security inspectors covering all the airports, exporters of air freight, trainers, in flight suppliers, airport suppliers, training material approval and so on. [29148/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the long delays in processing aviation security queries, training programmes and security programmes by the Irish Aviation Authority, delays which are causing great difficulty for aviation companies in remaining compliant with regulations, with consequences that some have been threatened with removal of their status. [29149/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together.
In 2013 the Irish Aviation Authority was designated the Appropriate Authority for the purpose of European aviation security regulations EU 300/2008, as provided for under Statutory Instrument 551 of 2012, the European Communities (Civil Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2012.
This involves responsibility on the IAA for compliance monitoring based upon a National Aviation Security Quality Control Programme (NCASQCP) against implementation of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and includes approval of regulated entities aviation security programmes and training programmes and related matters.
The purpose of aviation security oversight by the IAA is to ensure that regulated entities are fully implementing security controls in accordance with their responsibilities under the NCASP. This oversight does not substitute for the responsibility of regulated entities to ensure compliance.
It is also to be noted that the 2016 EU Commission Inspection of the Irish Appropriate Authority, which includes as assessment of its capability to fulfil the NCASQCP, has been closed with no outstanding findings.
Nevertheless, in order to ensure the sustainability of the current arrangements, my Department made a commitment at the National Civil Aviation Development Forum earlier this year, to bring forward legislative amendments to extend the existing cost recovery mechanism which is used currently to support the IAA Safety Regulation Directorate activities to also include its aviation security regulation functions and activities. This could also support the engagement of additional resources if deemed necessary by the IAA subject to its ongoing assessment of capacity to meet aviation security regulation requirements.
My Department as part of a wider proposal for aviation security and safety consulted last year on proposed legislative amendments which would support cost recovery by the IAA to extend to aviation security regulation. This aspect of the proposal will be expedited this year and my Department will shortly bring forward a Memorandum for Government seeking permission to proceed to drafting of legislation on this matter.
245. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a capital sports grant application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29156/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme.
All of the 2,320 applications received are being assessed by officials in my Department. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process. I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
246. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expedite the scheduling of a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29157/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
247. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to announce the allocation of the 2017 sports capital grant. [29173/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the 2,320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme are being assessed by officials in my Department. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process. I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
248. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will direct the National Driver Licence Service to change its policy of driver licence renewal date beginning from the date of application when a person is encouraged to apply up to three months early instead of receiving the additional time as per the NCT system when the current licence expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29213/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an administrative matter for the National Driver Licensing Service, for which the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
249. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his Department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Departments website at the following link External Expenditure. This information is updated twice yearly, the first 6 months of 2017 will be available on the website early in the coming weeks. With regard the agencies under my Department's remit, I will forward your question to the agencies for their direct reply to you. If you do not hear back within 10 working days please contact my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
250. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by her Department and State agencies under her aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29226/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere was no spend by my Department on the matters referred to in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The spend to date in 2017 is in the table. The figures refer to spend on public relations advice. There has been no spend in relation to public relations training to date in 2017.
The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Ombudsman for Children and the Oberstown Children Detention Campus. I have referred the question to each of these bodies and asked them to provide the information sought directly to the Deputy.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
251. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her Department since the social welfare fraud campaign began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29135/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra252. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her Department since the social welfare fraud campaign began that have been identified as actual fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29136/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her Department since the social welfare fraud campaign began that have resulted in penalties to a persons payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29137/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 to 253, inclusive, together.
Reports from members of the public on their suspicions of social welfare fraud or wrongdoing are an important element in my Department’s overall efforts to prevent and detect fraudulent activity. Since the launch of the recent campaign on 18 April last, 4,859 reports have been received from members of the public. This compares with some 3,322 reports which were received over the same period in 2016. The reports are now being examined and will be referred for follow-up action by the Department, where this is warranted based on the information provided. This work will be carried out over the coming weeks and months.
A determination of fraud can only be made after a detailed investigation by a social welfare inspector (SWI) and the making of a revised decision under the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 by one of the Department’s deciding officers. The person concerned has a right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeal Office where the facts are disputed. The outcome of an investigation may determine that the claim is correct, that the customer was in error or fraud is present. The payment to the person concerned may be either terminated or reduced in value based on the outcome of the investigation.
The Deputy should note that all reports received do not lead to an investigation. A preliminary examination of each report is undertaken for relevance and to identify the person reported. Once a person can be identified, the next step is to establish if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment. Where a person can be identified, is receiving a payment and sufficient information is provided to warrant further examination, the report is referred to the relevant scheme area in the Department or to a SWI for further investigation. A payment will not be suspended or stopped on the basis of the report received from a member of the public. The Department can only take this action as a result of an investigation and the making of a statutory decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
254. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made regarding a carer's benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29139/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s benefit from the person concerned on 22 May 2017. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which a person (details supplied) was refused a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29177/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 7 February 2017.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the carer must provide full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care. Social welfare legislation defines a person as requiring full time care and attention where the person has such a disability that s/he requires
a) continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions, or
b) continual supervision in order to avoid danger to himself/herself.
The exact amount of hours or days for which care must be provided is not defined. However, one of the tests to decide if full-time care and attention is being provided is whether the care given addresses the above issues.
My Department takes the view that full-time care and attention does not necessarily mean 24 hours in each day. Full-time care and attention can be considered to apply where there is an ongoing and daily commitment by the carer and which also generally results in the carer not being able to support themselves through normal full-time employment.
The person concerned was refused carer’s allowance on the grounds that, based on the evidence available to the Deciding Officer in the case, she was not providing full-time care and attention as required. The person concerned was notified on 2 May 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. To date, no request for a review or appeal has been received from the person concerned.
If the person concerned wishes to provide further information on the hours of care she is providing, her case will be reviewed. To date, there has been no new information submitted which would warrant a review of the decision made in this case.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
256. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost incurred to date regarding the upgrade of a website (details supplied); if she has satisfied herself that the website is now fully operational; if she expects to incur further costs regarding the overhaul of the website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29185/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobsireland.ie is a free online jobs site that enables employers to post job opportunities and jobseekers to search and apply for these opportunities online. At 20 years old, the original site was showing its age. For example, although it enabled jobseekers to search for job opportunities based on job type and location, it wasn’t possible for employers to search for suitable jobseekers on the site.
Accordingly, my Department issued a tender for the development and implementation of a new service that would enable both employers and jobseekers to search for each other using competencies and skillsets as well as the traditional job-type classifications. As part of the new service, candidate profiles are automatically matched to job specifications posted by employers. The system will also integrate with my Department’s Intreo service. Through a link with my Department’s Activation Case Management system, it will facilitate case officers to further support and monitor jobseeker employment search activity.
Following the procurement process, a young Irish technology company is building and delivering the new service. The contract is for a fixed fee of €3.36 million, payable over the first 5 years of a 5.5 year service period (the final 6 months of the service is payment free). The contract includes an optional extension period of 3 years, with the overall term not exceeding 8.5 years in total.
The new service was introduced in July 2016 and the total cost to date is almost €1,174,000.
There were some teething problems with the first phase implementation, but performance issues have now been resolved. Employers can now register and post vacancies, and candidates can register and upload CVs and apply for vacancies online. In addition, the system automatically matches candidates to employer specifications and both parties are notified of successful matches. There are currently almost 6,000 positions advertised on the site.
My Department continues to work with the supplier to enhance the service and will add additional functionality over the coming months. Anyone experiencing difficulties with the website can contact the Department’s National Contact Centre on 1890 800 024 for assistance.
257. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to address the situation whereby a person (details supplied) was refused a disability allowance approved in April 2017 and has yet to receive payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29199/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a successful appeal, payment of disability allowance has been re-instated with effect from 11 January 2017. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 28 June 2017. All arrears due will also issue on that date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for you.
Question No. 258 withdrawn.
259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department and State agencies under her aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29237/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount spent by my department on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form is as follows:
There is ‘nil’ spend for the period in question in respect of the agencies under my aegis, with the exception of the Pensions Authority, whose expenditure is as follows:
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
260. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the use of coral sand to supplement income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29209/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Foreshore Act 1933-2011 defines beach material as, inter alia, "sand, clay, gravel, shingle..". It is not lawful to remove beach material without a licence granted in accordance with the Act.
Detail on the Foreshore consenting process can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/foreshore/foreshore-consenting.
261. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the changes in policy on motor taxation of State owned vehicles, in particular HSE patient transport; when these changes came into effect; the affect that this policy change is having on persons around the country, in particular those accessing services in an association (details supplied); if these changes will be reversed to halt the negative impact on vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29132/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am currently reviewing the legislation in relation to exemptions from motor tax and will revert to the Deputy on the matter in due course.
262. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the functions and responsibilities that will be transferred from his Department to the Department of Community and Rural Affairs. [29181/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra263. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the new Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government will officially be established. [29182/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.
Restructuring of Government Departments is a matter for the Taoiseach and, following on from the Taoiseach’s stated intention to establish a new Department of Community and Rural Affairs, responsibility for certain community functions will transfer from my Department.
Responsibilities transferring are likely to include community and voluntary supports and programmes and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, along with other community-related functions. The final detail of this will be discussed and agreed between my Department and my colleague Minister Ring's team as part of the formal statutory transfer of functions process. Once this transfer of functions process has been completed, my Department will progress the necessary legislation to change the Department's name.
