Written Answers Nos. 242-261
242. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a road project (details supplied); the projected cost for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31921/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocated to a road project (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the planned purpose of each allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31922/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if moneys allocated to a project (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017 have been spent on the project; if money not used remains ring-fenced for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31923/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra245. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocated for a project (details supplied) by the Northern Ireland Executive in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31924/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 to 245, inclusive, together.
The planning and implementation of the A5 project, including management of the project budget and expenditure, are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
The Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start - sets out the Government's commitment to contribute €75 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning procedures in the North have been concluded.
As regards the N2, the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that has been earmarked for the phased upgrading of bus stops on Bus Éireann routes to allow for full accessibility for mobility impaired users throughout the network; if a phased program is planned; the way in which it will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32022/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, etc. in the State.
As the Deputy is aware, accessibility features are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems are fully accessible. In addition, 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets are wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of the Bus Éireann coach fleet.
With regard to existing infrastructure, there is an ongoing programme to upgrade public transport infrastructure and facilities to help improve transport accessibility across the country, including the installation of wheelchair accessible bus stops. The programme is managed by the NTA on behalf of my Department.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply in relation to the upgrading of bus stops on Bus Éireann routes. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
252. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the geographic spread of accessible taxis; the targets that have been set in this regard for full national coverage; the optimum number of taxis; the way in which they are registered; the changes envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including issues pertaining to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
253. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated average hourly subsidy on the targeted child care scheme for those between six months and three years of age. [31854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a number of targeted schemes available to families where the eligibility would include children aged between six months and three years of age.
It is not possible to provide a meaningful hourly estimate given the wide range of eligibility and provision types. To give an indication, a family accessing Community Childcare Service (CCS) on a full-time basis for 25 hours per week on the highest available band would receive a subvention of €145 (the maximum amount available) which works out at €5.80 per week, if the same family accessed 20 hours this would result in an hourly rate of €4 per week.
Full details of all the permutations and eligibility requirements are available on the website www.affordablechildcare.ie. For the Deputy’s information I have provided some of the key tables herewith.
|
CCS Level of service |
Band A (with medical card) |
Band AJ (with medical card) |
Band B |
Band D |
|
Full-day payment (5 hrs +) |
€145 |
€80 |
€70 |
€50 |
|
Part-time payment (3:31 – 5:00) |
€80 |
€80 |
€35 |
€25 |
|
Sessional payment (2:16 – 3:30) |
€45 |
€45 |
€25 |
€17 |
|
Half-session payment (1:00 – 2:15) |
€22.50 |
€22.50 |
€12.50 |
€8.50 |
I would also note that where a family have a child over six months and not yet eligible for the ECCE programme accessing Tusla registered childcare, they are eligible for universal payment of €20 for a full-time place. Again for 25 hours this would work out at 80c per hour. The full table follows:
|
CCS Session Type |
Weekly Subsidy |
|
Full-time (i.e. 5 to 10 hours) |
€20 |
|
Part-time (i.e. 3.5 to 5 hours) |
€10 |
|
Sessional (i.e. 2.16 to 3.30 three hours thirty mins) |
€7 |
|
Half-sessional (i.e. 1.15 to 2.15 two hours fifteen mins) |
€3.50 |
254. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the upcoming review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015; the members of the review group; if she will guarantee members of the transgender community and non-binary community will form part of that review group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 7 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 provides for a review of the Act to commence within 2 years of enactment of the legislation.
Officials in my Department are currently making preparations for the review which is due to commence in September. While the terms of reference and the composition of the review group have yet to be finalised, I would like to assure you that the views of the transgender community and non-binary community will be essential in informing the review.
The findings and conclusions of the review must be presented to the Oireachtas by September 2018.
255. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if progress has been made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities report; the cost associated with its full implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31871/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Make Work Pay interdepartmental group, published on 6 April this year, established under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities considered a range of approaches across relevant Departments to deliver on this commitment and made 24 recommendations under the broad headings of; reconfiguring the system of supports to ensure that work pays; promoting early intervention; communicating effectively that work pays and future proofing.
My Department, has already implemented a number of the report’s recommendations including:
- people with a long-term disability payment who move off the payment to get a job will retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years (the report recommended retention for 3 years);
- a fast–track return to Disability Allowance, or Invalidity Pension for people where employment does not work out;
- and development is underway on a new “Ready Reckoner”, to calculate the net benefits and financial implications of working.
Other actions, such as strengthening the capacity of my Department’s Intreo Service to support people with disabilities to get and maintain employment are ongoing and people with disabilities may, on a voluntary basis, make an appointment with a case officer to explore their options and develop a personal progression plan.
While the Government has decided to implement some of the recommendations others require further reflection or a period of consultation with disability groups and other stakeholders. My Department has already started this process of consultation with the disability sector on the recommendations related to extending the principle of “early intervention” to disability allowance and other disability payments.
Many of the recommended actions being progressed by Government Departments are at a consultative stage and Departments are not in a position to provide costings until specific proposals are in place.
I hope this answers the Deputy’s question.
256. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending social protection supports to the self-employed and permitting such persons to opt into the existing class A structure for jobseeker’s benefit. [31963/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of extending social protection supports to the self-employed and permitting such persons access to invalidity pension for three, six, nine and 12 months of a calendar year, respectively. [31964/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
The Deputy may wish to note that the self-employed PRSI contributors will be eligible to qualify for the Invalidity Pension scheme with effect from December next. This is a major reform as self-employed people will now have access to the safety-net of State income supports, without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability. Once such a contributor qualifies for the payment, it can be paid on an indefinite basis to pension age provided the relevant person continues to satisfy the medical and other criteria.
Consideration was not given to limiting eligibility for the payment to part of calendar years only.
While the measure is being implemented without any increase in the rate of contribution paid by self-employed workers in 2017, consideration will need to be given to the funding arrangements in later years. The estimated 2018 and 2019 costs are €23m and €38m, respectively, and these will rise further in later years.
In addition, Class S self-employed contributors have access since March last to the Treatment Benefit scheme which includes free eye and dental exams, and contributions towards the cost of hearings aids.
The last Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund was published in 2012 and did provide costings of extending two benefits - jobseeker’s benefit and invalidity pension - to self-employed workers on the same basis as it is paid to class A employees. It did not provide a cost for permitting self-employed workers to opt into a class A structure paying equivalent rates of contributions for cover for jobseeker’s benefit.
It should be noted, in this regard, that there would not be a direct correlation between the cost of compulsory cover (and the rates of contributions required) for any given benefit or pension for all self-employed and with the costs of an opt in (or opt out) system. The third report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare on Extending Social Insurance Coverage for the self-employed published in 2013 examined the extension of additional cover for the self-employed on a voluntary basis and concluded that “extension on a voluntary basis, through either an “opt in” or “opt out” basis, could lead to the selection of bad risks and would undermine the social solidarity and contributory principles that underline the social insurance system.” Accordingly, an opt in system would require those who opted in to pay at a higher rate of contribution than would apply under a compulsory system.
The Actuarial Review referred to above was completed in 2012. A new review is now well advanced and is expected to be published next month. This review will re-examine the projected PRSI contribution rates required to fund individual additional benefits, including invalidity pension and jobseeker’s benefit to self-employed contributors. Given the improvements in the labour market and the economy generally over the period since 2012, the forthcoming review will provide a more up to date estimate of the costs of extending new benefits to the self-employed.
258. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason jobseeker's allowance and rent supplement was cut from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 leaving them without financial support for the past two months; the reason there was no response to medical correspondence and correspondence outlining part-time employment submitted to her Department on a number of occasions; and if she will reinstate both payments. [32024/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNotification was received from the Revenue Commissioners on 3 March indicating that the person concerned had commenced employment. As is normal in such cases the Department contacted the customer to establish the circumstances and correspondence commenced. Following receipt of the customer’s correspondence on 12 and 21 March 2017 an official in the Department contacted them by phone on 30 March 2017 to outline the immediate steps the customer needed to take to secure their payment.
With regard to the customer’s correspondence outlining part time employment an official in the Department advised the customer that they must, as is usual in such cases, return the relevant paperwork for the Department to verify the nature and extent of the declared employment.
With regard to the customer’s correspondence outlining her medical situation the Deputy will appreciate that one of the conditions for a person to receive a job seeker payment is that they are capable of full time employment. Where a customer cannot work as a result of an illness they should contact the office who will assist them with applying for a more appropriate payment.
The customer was also advised on 30 March 2017 that there was a job interview scheduled for 6 April 2017, in an area in which they held a qualification in and had expressed an interest in working in, and that non-attendance would affect her payment. The customer did not attend the interview on 6 April and after a number of weeks of no further contact the customer’s claim was deemed to be closed. This initiated a review of the customer’s rent supplement claim.
If the customer wishes to continue with their claim they will need to provide the previously requested details regarding their declared casual employment. The relevant official will contact the customer to discuss the customer’s claim and again advise of the steps required. The customer’s rent supplement claim will be reassessed at that point.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if medical evidence submitted under separate cover can be taken into account in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 12 May 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 27 July 2016 and of her rights of review and appeal.
The person in question appealed to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) a decision by a deciding officer to disallow her application for disability allowance.
Following due consideration, the appeal of the person in question was disallowed by an appeals officer (AO) on 14 December 2016. She was notified of this decision in writing by the SWAO on the same date.
An AO’s decision is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence.
It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA.
260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for rent support in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32039/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rent Supplement claim for the person concerned was disallowed as she failed to provide documentation that would allow an accurate assessment of her entitlement.
The person concerned has appealed this decision and her case has been referred to the Appeals Office accordingly. An Appeals Officer will make a decision on the case based on the documentary evidence presented and/or arising from an oral hearing.
The appeals process functions independently of the Department and will need to be completed before any further action can be considered.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) has remaining contributions to facilitate entitlement to jobseeker's benefit; her views on whether the legislation in place accurately designates a plot of land such as a farm; if in such a case the person is assessed with means derived from the capital or the rental value of such a plot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32041/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned does satisfy the contribution requirements to qualify for jobseeker’s benefit, albeit at a reduced rate with reference to level of remuneration they received in their last employment. Taking this into account the Department has sought to ascertain, given the person’s circumstances, which payment would be more advantageous to the customer to receive, jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit or farm assist.
To this end the person concerned met with a Social Welfare Inspector two weeks ago and was asked to return outstanding information in order to establish eligibility with regard to availability and means. This information was supplied to the Inspector earlier this week and they are now in a position to complete their report and submit it to the Deciding Officer.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
