Written Answers Nos. 189-210
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which his Department remains committed to the concept of support for the family farm enterprise, having particular regard to particular challenges or threats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47291/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2013 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was a useful and progressive reform making the CAP fit for purpose to 2020. It provided Irish farmers and the agri-food sector with policy certainty for the years to come and with strategic financial support to increase sustainability and enhance competitiveness. I will continue to work with my EU colleagues to ensure that we engage in policies that promote the interests of the EU agricultural sector.
Food Wise 2025, the ten year strategy for the agri-food sector published in July 2015, identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the entire sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow it to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness, as well as specific sectorial recommendations. The implementation process is driven by a High Level Implementation Committee, which I chair.
My Department continually monitors the cost of farm production inputs via the most recent data available from national and international sources. These include the Central Statistics Office's Agricultural Price Indices, Teagasc publications, EU level data from Eurostat and international equivalents from bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation and OECD.
Direct payments from my Department serve to support family farm income and act as a fundamental hedge against price volatility. Direct payments amounted to over €1.7 billion last year. Figures from Teagasc’s National Farm Survey 2016 show that average payments per farm represented by the survey amounted to almost €18,000, accounting for 75% of family farm income.
190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which his Department continues to monitor all aspects of animal welfare including canine and non-sporting equines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47292/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is the main legal instrument available to my Department to enforce animal welfare standards. The Act puts clear obligations on owners regarding the need to look after animals under their care. Under the Act, authorised officer status has been given to a small number of employees of the ISPCA, DSPCA and the Turf Club to carry out duties limited to welfare.
My Department employs a large team of veterinary inspectors to enforce the provisions of the Act. Inspections, both announced and unannounced, are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure that the requirements of the Act are strictly adhered to. These inspections are scheduled on both a random and targeted basis. My Department also operates an anonymous helpline through which members of the public can express animal welfare concerns. These reports are promptly examined by trained veterinary staff countrywide and corrective action is taken in those cases where the Act has been breached. The Act also provides for severe penalties in the event of successful prosecutions.
The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) was established by my Department in February 2002 on a non-statutory basis. It has been instrumental in promoting animal welfare in a practical way and providing a forum for different interest groups to meet, exchange views and reach consensus on the various challenges relating to animal welfare on farms.
While my Department remains the central reporting point for animal welfare concerns, it also works collaboratively on a range of issues with the Department of Rural and Community Development. Under Section 37(2) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, the manager of a local authority may appoint authorised officers to exercise functions conferred on them for the purposes of enforcing the Act.
One area of such co-operation is the governance of canine welfare. A joint inspection regime of dog breeding establishments, involving the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Local Authority Veterinary Service, took place in 2015 for the purpose of inspection and follow up action. While a very high percentage of inspections found the conditions of the animals to comply fully with the Act, corrective action was taken where necessary following the discovery of individual cases of non-compliance (mainly infrastructural in nature).
My Department also liaises on a daily basis with Local Authorities in relation to the enforcement of the Control of Horses Act 1996. In order to reduce the numbers of straying horses, my Department has provided funding to a number of local authorities to support the development of urban/traveller horse projects in their respective areas. A number of projects are currently being progressed by local authorities in conjunction with animal welfare organisations. These projects provide many benefits to communities including educational elements which enable greater compliance with animal welfare regulations thereby reducing numbers of straying horses. My Department continues to stress that it is the responsibility of individuals to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. I am glad to report a major improvement in horse welfare outcomes in recent years.
The Dublin Region Horse Welfare Group has recently been instigated by South Dublin County Council to directly address equine issues within the greater Dublin area. I welcome this initiative and my Department will work closely with our partners in Local Authorities, Welfare Groups and An Garda Síochána to achieve its aims.
The Deputy may be assured that this level of monitoring, enforcement and education will remain in place in the future, both by my Department and the various agencies of the State.
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the mushroom industry can recover from the ongoing impact of Brexit; if the issue has been sufficiently recognised at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47293/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK is a very important market for Irish mushrooms accounting as it does for around 85% of our annual production. Access arrangements to the UK market post-Brexit will depend on the outcome of the UK’s Brexit negotiations with the EU. However, during this period the Irish Government’s position will continue to be to minimise the impact of Brexit on existing trade for all our food exports including mushrooms. As part of this process I have established a dedicated unit within my Department to consider and prepare for the direct impact of Brexit on our agri-food industry.
I am committed to working with the mushroom sector to assist it in adjusting to the challenges that lie ahead. My Department and its State Agencies currently provide supports on a number of fronts.
The 2018 Budget provided for a new “Brexit Loan Scheme” which will provide affordable, flexible finance to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or who will be in the future. The new Brexit Loan Scheme aims to make up to €300 million of working capital finance available to SMEs and mid-cap businesses (up to 499 employees). This will give Brexit-impacted businesses, including potentially a number of mushroom exporters, time and space to adapt and to grow into the future.
Due to State Aid legislation the Brexit Loan Scheme announced in Budget 2018 will not be available to primary producers including mushroom growers. In light of this I have secured €25 million in funding for my Department to facilitate the development of a new Brexit response loan scheme for farmers, fishermen and food businesses in 2018 and further details on this will be announced in due course.
For the wider horticultural sector the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector continues to be the main support for individual growers in the horticulture industry who wish to make capital investments in specialised equipment or buildings. I'm delighted to confirm that Budget 2018 allocated €5m in funding again for the Scheme in 2018, further reflecting this Government's commitment to ongoing support for the sector. The competitive nature of this scheme combined with its flexibility and ability to react to evolving situations are two key strengths in supporting this highly dynamic sector. An early opening of the scheme is anticipated.
The EU Producer Organisation (PO) scheme is also a vital support, with around 80% of Irish mushroom growers in a producer organisation at present. This scheme provides an important mechanism for growers to achieve greater bargaining power in the marketplace by becoming part of a larger supply base. In addition, this scheme is funding a number of initiatives to improve competitiveness, including Lean Training for mushroom growers. Indeed the concentration of supply through the PO Scheme has allowed exporters in many cases to negotiate Sterling price rises from their UK customers in response to the weakening of Sterling. Other contracts now have an inbuilt mechanism to protect against Sterling volatility or are based in Euro.
I can also confirm that starting in January 2018 An Bord Bia will commence a 3-year mushroom promotion campaign on the Irish and UK markets. This campaign will be co-funded by the industry and the European Commission. It is important to emphasise that the overall market for mushrooms in the UK and Ireland remains strong, showing good potential for further growth. This new promotion campaign will build on the success of previous similar initiatives and develop that growth in potential to increase exports.
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which supports continue to be made available to the artisan food sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure that the sector here has support equal to that in other EU jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47294/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFood Wise 2025 recommends actions to support the sector to realise its potential, including festival markets, a pipeline for new entrants to the Artisan Food Market at Bloom, promoting meet the buyer opportunities, delivery of small business specific consumer and market insights, and programmes to assist producers to extend business reach.
Supports for the artisan food sector are available from the development agencies. A number of artisan businesses have participated in the Food Academy programme developed by Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Offices and Musgraves/Supervalu, which has delivered growth and jobs, Food Works (developed by Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland for start-up food entrepreneurs) and from technical assistance from Teagasc.
The farmhouse cheese sector alone includes over 50 cheese-makers producing more than 150 types of cheese valued at over €12 million per annum at farm gate level. The sector is innovative with over 17 new farmhouse cheeses developed in the past year. My Department has supported a three year Bord Bia farmhouse cheese programme under the EU Promotion regime.
In terms of small food businesses in general, close to 500 food companies with a turnover of €100k-€3.5m are registered with Bord Bia for supports and services. These owner managed businesses tend to produce high-end products with a strong focus on the domestic market.
In addition, over the last 5 years over 400 new companies with revenues of less than €100k have entered the sector. Through the Food Academy Start programme, these companies typically start with a standardised support package delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices nationally. This collaborative approach ensures the skills and capabilities of early stage companies are developed through a ‘learn by doing’ approach and over 300 companies have been given the opportunity to get product on the Food Academy fixture.
Farmers' markets remain a valuable entry point for many potential food entrepreneurs and those building a local and visitor customer base. In the past year Bord Bia ran workshops for market managers to support the development of this important local route to market. Feedback was highly positive.
My Department provides bursaries for the UCC Diploma in Speciality Food Production, a food science and business course for food producers, potential start-ups and those interested in developing businesses and/or promoting the artisan sector. Bord Bia, Teagasc and the FSAI contribute to the work of the Diploma. Over 180 students have graduated; many are successfully running small artisan and speciality food businesses.
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has identified weaknesses arising from price fluctuations in the various segments of the food sector; if he has identified mechanisms to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraManaging price volatility is a challenge for the agri-food sector, but significant State supports are in place to assist the sector in managing volatility.
Food Wise 2025, the latest ten year strategy for the agri-food sector, includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness, as well as specific sectorial recommendations. The implementation process for any strategy is vital for its success and I chair the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), with high level representatives from all the relevant Departments and State agencies. The committee reviews progress on detailed actions on a quarterly basis, in order to identify and solve problems quickly. Stakeholders regularly present to the committee meetings on their priorities for particular sectors or themes.
The uncertainty around Brexit is a challenge for the sector, but concerns about the impact on the agri-food sector are at the top of the Government’s Brexit agenda. Our ongoing consultation with stakeholders, together with our engagement with UK, Northern Ireland and EU counterparts, will be informed by the need to have the implications for the agri-food sector understood and taken account of as the negotiations unfold. My Department and State agencies are working together to ensure that the short-term and longer term impacts of Brexit are taken into consideration, and that appropriate supports are in place to help the sector to respond and adapt to the new realities.
With regard to farm incomes and volatility, Teagasc's National Farm Survey 2016 showed average farm income of €24,000. Average farm income has been relatively stable over the last few years, fluctuating between €24,000 and €26,000. However, there are significant differences in farm income depending on the farming system and size of farm. It should also be borne in mind that over 60% of the farms represented by the National Farm Survey are classified as part-time, based on labour input required. On half of farms, either the holder and/or spouse has off-farm employment.
My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Finance on key agri-taxation policy objectives, including responses to income and price volatility.
Ireland is a small open economy which exports the vast bulk of its food production, and therefore will always feel the effects of volatility on world markets. Dairy farms, which have significantly higher incomes on average than other farming systems, also experience greater income volatility. The introduction of fixed price contracts by some processors is increasingly becoming a feature of the producer/processor relationship in the dairy sector, with numerous milk purchasers offering such contracts, which provide producers with the opportunity to lock in prices over the medium term, taking costs of production into account. Such relationships are a welcome development in terms of their potential to mitigate volatility.
One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some agriculture sectors.
The “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” was such a mechanism and was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), making €150 million available to farmers this year at interest rates of 2.95%. There has been a very positive reaction by farmers to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance.
The new Brexit Loan Scheme announced in Budget 2018, based on the template of the Agri Cashflow Loan scheme, aims to make up to €300 million of working capital finance available to SMEs and mid-cap businesses. Given their unique exposure to the UK market, my Department’s funding (€9 million out of total public funding of €23 million) ensures that at least 40% of the fund will be available to food businesses. Due to State Aid rules, this scheme will not be available to farmers and fishermen. However, my Department has secured funding of €25 million to facilitate the development of further Brexit response loan schemes for farmers, fishermen and food businesses in 2018. Further details will be announced in due course.
I am confident that my Department is taking every step to support measures which mitigate price volatility and improve competitiveness in the sector.
194. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to have basic payments and ANC payments due to a person (details supplied) issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47329/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 10 May 2017. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. The final inspection outcome has now been finalised with the intention of issuing any payments due under these schemes to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
195. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of the environmental impact assessment carried out prior to his approval in July 2017 for offshore drilling at the Druid-Drombeg exploration field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47278/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSuccessful exploration in Ireland’s offshore has the potential to deliver benefits to Irish society and the economy, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply and reduced fossil fuel imports. However, any such exploration must be conducted in an environmentally sensitive manner.
In 2015, my Department completed the Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Study 5 (IOSEA5) process with the adoption of the Plan underpinning IOSEA5 and publication of the IOSEA5 Statement. The objectives of IOSEA5 were to inform my Department of specific environmental considerations in future petroleum activities under licensing rounds in the Atlantic Margin Basins, as well as the award of licences in the Celtic and Irish Seas; and to provide exploration companies working offshore with an operational baseline against which they can conduct their work and ensure the protection of the marine environment. On 11 July 2017, approval to drill an exploratory well within Block 53/6-A in the southern Porcupine Basin off the south west coast of Ireland was granted to Providence Resources Plc. Prior to granting approval, the application to drill from Providence Resources was considered against a range of technical, environmental, and financial requirements. In addition, the company had to obtain a safety permit from the Commission for Energy Regulation and approval by the Irish Coast Guard for the company’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan and Well Emergency Response Plan. In respect of environmental requirements, the company was required to submit an Environmental Risk Assessment and a Natura Impact Screening (Appropriate Assessment) Statement in support of its application to commence drilling activities and these were considered in the context of the likely effects on the environment of the proposed drilling. A review was undertaken for my Department by Bec Consultants, an independent consultancy appointed for their expertise in ecological and conservation marine biology to inter alia:
- examine the submitted Environmental Statement and assess whether or not it met the scope and quality of requirements set out or implied by the specific European and Irish Environmental Impact Assessment legislation and guidelines;
- appraise the Environmental Statement, highlighting any deficiencies in respect of the statutory requirements of the Statement and detailing the outcome and resolution of any such deficiencies; and
- ensure that the requirements of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011, for an assessment to be carried out on any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a protected site or species were met by the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report. In addition, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, was requested to provide its observations in terms of Natura 2000 sites, where relevant, and Annex IV species (Cetaceans) in accordance with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The documentation associated with this environmental assessment is available on my Department’s website. In addition, during the course of offshore exploration operations, my Department audits environmental compliance by reviewing daily environmental reporting, as well as daily operational reports for both geophysical survey and drilling operations. A rig inspection visit also takes place during operations in order to audit compliance with the conditions associated with the use and discharge of added chemicals, in accordance with the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment in the North-East Atlantic.
196. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that television service providers based and operating here are broadcasting recruitment advertisements for armed forces outside the State (details supplied); the steps he will take to ensure that persons here are not subject to the recruitment drives of other States' armed forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47320/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of broadcasting and on-demand audiovisual services in the European Union is governed by the Audio Visual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).
Under the country of origin rules laid down by the AVMSD, audiovisual media services are only subject to the regulations in the Member State where they are established. They are not subject to the regulations in each individual Member State where they are made available and may not be subjected to such regulations except in the very limited circumstances provided for in Articles 3 and 4 of the AVMSD.
As the channel referred to in the question is licensed and regulated by the UK Regulator, OFCOM, I have no function in the matter.
Matters relating to the Defence Act 1954 are the responsibility of the Minister for Defence.
197. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a community transport service (details supplied) in County Mayo is to cease operation by the end of 2017; if the circumstances of the discontinuation of the service can be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47182/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) to the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The NTA has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including, since 2012, management of the RTP.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
198. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if grants are available from his Department for a person to re-roof an old forge. [47192/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not provide direct grants for the purpose outlined by the deputy. My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland provides capital funding for investment in tourism attractions, as well as advice on supports available from other agencies.
I would suggest that the Deputy should advise the person to contact Fáilte Ireland with details of the project involved and they will be able to advise if the project might be eligible for funding under any of Fáilte Ireland's grant schemes for tourism projects.
199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital programme will be announced in view of the fact that the previously stated date for announcement has passed. [47204/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received.
When the programme was launched, it was envisaged that €30m would be available which would have made the allocation of grants particularly challenging. Following the conclusion of the budget discussions and in order to allow as many worthwhile projects as possible to receive some funding, I am pleased that significant extra resources have been secured to allocate under this round.
The assessment of all the 2,320 applications is now nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to announce full details of the allocations in the coming weeks.
200. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly by which commercial vehicles that are privately taxed by their owners are charged commercial rates on road tolls; if the issue can be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads.
More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads as well as regional and local roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII (for national roads) and each local authority (for regional and local roads) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). Separately the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has responsibility for Motor Tax Policy.
The Deputy will note that tolls in Ireland vary according to type and size of vehicles, and reflect inter alia the impact of their use on the toll road. They are publicly available on the www.etoll.ie website. Motor tax rates are set by reference to a range of factors, including not only the class of vehicle but also the specific nature of its use as well as either engine size, historically, or CO2 emissions, more recently. These reflect a wide range of policy considerations and are available on www.housing.ie.
There is no basis for rates to correspond between these two very different regimes of tolls for use and motor taxation and therefore it is incorrect to refer to there being any anomaly between the two.
201. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if alternative funding will be provided for a group (details supplied). [47312/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main role of my Department in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy development. It is not involved in the development or management of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland and other agencies.
My Department provides funding to the two tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, to promote tourism initiatives both domestically and internationally. Fáilte Ireland works with the relevant local authorities to develop the signature brands in their areas.
Individual tourism businesses can apply for funding under Fáilte Ireland's Capital Grants Schemes and, through the relevant local authority, for Festivals and Events funding. I am informed by Fáilte Ireland that there are no other mechanisms by which it can provide funding to organisations.
However, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy with any further information that it might consider relevant. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
202. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria required to obtain a limousine licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47314/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the regulatory framework for licensing of limousines, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have 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.
203. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will engage with all groups within the Gaeltacht in Irish. [47161/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not clear if the Deputy has particular organisations in mind. My Department is committed to engaging in Irish with all groups and individuals who wish to do so, including those within the Gaeltacht.
My Department's main area of engagement within the Gaeltacht is with regard to the Early Years Sector. I established a subgroup of the Early Years Forum, which includes members from Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNNG), Gaeloideachas, Foras na Gaeilge, Na Naíonraí Gaelacha, the Department of Education and Skills (DES), the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG), Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). This group has considered issues relating to the Irish language generally and has fed the outcomes into the wider Early Years Forum. Consideration is now being given to the subgroup’s recommendations.
At a more general level, my Department seeks to comply with its obligations under the Official Languages Act and is currently engaged with the Coimisinéir Teanga in the review of our Scheme under that Act with regard to the implementation of those obligations.
204. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when persons who are self-employed will be in a position to apply for an invalidity pension; if the contribution rule has been determined; her plans to provide the option of partial capacity benefit for self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47166/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSelf-employed contributors will be eligible for the invalidity pension from December 2017. This is a major reform as self-employed people could have access to income support without having to go through a means test, if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability. Details as to how to apply will be made public by my Department in the coming weeks.
Partial capacity benefit (PCB) is designed for people who have some capacity for work and who wish to return to the workforce. To participate on this scheme the applicant must be in receipt of either invalidity pension or illness benefit – illness benefit must be in payment for at least six months at the date of application for PCB (the six months rule does not apply to invalidity pension). Self-employed persons who are awarded an invalidity pension could potentially have access to this scheme in due course as a consequence of the extension of invalidity pension to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
205. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if pension entitlements will be introduced for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47173/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector. The State is not responsible for funding pension arrangements for such employees even where the companies in question are reliant on State funding. It is open to individuals to make provision for a pension by way of PRSA which all employers are obliged to facilitate.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that the issue of CE supervisors’ pension provision is currently being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is represented on this group, as are IMPACT, SIPTU, Pobal and other relevant Government Departments. I understand their work is ongoing and that the Forum is due to meet again later in November 2017.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
206. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the payment of rent allowance in respect of a property (details supplied); the reason payment to the tenant was not suspended on receipt of reports that rent payment was not being made to the landlord; and the action she will take to clarify this situation. [47178/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to the Deputy’s previous PQ about this matter. Reference Number 42721-17 refers.
The planned review of the case is currently underway but is not yet completed. A response will be provided shortly to the Deputy in this regard.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
207. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the national fuel allowance scheme will be reviewed in respect of persons who are in receipt of social welfare and reside with a person who is in receipt of the minimum wage or is on low income but is over the threshold of €100 per week in view of the difficulties many persons on social welfare experience in meeting the cost of purchasing fuel. [47183/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week from October to April, to 376,000 low income households to assist them with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. People who are in receipt of a qualifying contributory payment must also satisfy a means test. All non-contributory recipients are accepted as satisfying this means test.
A fuel applicant and members of his/her household may have a combined assessable income of up to €100 a week above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory and qualify for a payment. This ensures that the fuel allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. The €100 a week means limit is significantly higher that the weekly fuel allowance rate of €22.50 and also the combined weekly total of household benefits and fuel allowance added together (€33.65).
Fuel applicants must also satisfy the household composition criteria, i.e., they must live alone or only with the following:
- a qualified spouse / civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child(ren);
- a person in receipt of a qualifying payment who would be entitled to the allowance in their own right;
- a person who is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit in respect of providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant or their qualified spouse / civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child(ren);
- a person receiving short term Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (less than 391 days for JA and less than 15 months/456 days for Basic SWA).
Therefore a social welfare dependant who is living with someone other than those listed above would not be entitled to the fuel allowance.
The Guidelines for the Fuel Allowance Scheme are kept under review. However, any decision to change the household composition requirement and to increase the combined assessable income for a household would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs due to ill health or infirmity. Exceptional needs payments may also be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which a person is unable to meet from his/her own resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
208. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will change from their current social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47198/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the person concerned is currently in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) at the weekly rate of €209.00. From 30 November 2017 this rate is set to increase to €247.00 weekly as he will have reached State pension age.
However, I note that the person concerned has made an application for state pension contributory (SPC).
Normally two social welfare income supports are not payable at the same time. However, CA can be paid at the same time as another social welfare payment. When a person is in receipt of a social welfare payment (other than jobseeker payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or is being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse’s, civil partner’s or cohabitant’s social welfare payment, and also qualifies for CA, the allowance is paid at up to half the normal rate.
In this case, for example, if the person concerned is awarded SPC, he will be paid CA at the weekly rate of €123.50 in addition to their SPC.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
209. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of the State pension contributory, State pension non-contributory, widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension contributory and death benefit, by gender, in tabular form. [47202/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested (where available) by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
Scheme recipients by sex at 31 October 2017
|
Scheme |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
State Pension Contributory |
247,014 |
144,984 |
391,998 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
36,726 |
58,269 |
94,995 |
|
Widow's, Widower's and Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory) |
17,931 |
103,212 |
121,143 |
|
Death Benefit |
14 |
719 |
733 |
|
Totals |
301,685 |
307,184 |
608,869 |
210. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons investigated for social welfare fraud since the roll-out of the social welfare fraud campaign; the number of those investigated that were found to be committing fraud; the number of cases found to be in error by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47203/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe social welfare fraud awareness campaign from earlier this year was designed to encourage a discussion and debate about social welfare fraud and to challenge the perceptions of those who see it as a victimless crime, while promoting the Department’s online and telephone fraud-reporting services.
It was also aimed at demonstrating the considerable work undertaken by the Department to deter, prevent and detect fraud through control reviews and investigations of payments to customers. This campaign was also designed:
- To help raise overall awareness of the consequences of welfare fraud and the positive role that can be played by members of the public in supporting the Department in its work; and
- To remind customers to contact the Department if their circumstances change, thereby helping to reduce and prevent customer errors in claims, as well as deliberate fraud.
It is important to note that the advertising campaign commenced in April this year and, therefore, statistics to date would not be indicative of the overall results of the campaign, nor do these statistics alone reflect the complete set of objectives set for the campaign. The success will also be measured by behaviour and attitudinal changes to welfare fraud and public awareness of fraud reporting services.
The number of reports registered to the end of September stood at just over 16,500, compared to just over 13,900 in the same period last year, an increase of 19% approximately.
It is the policy of my Department to examine all reports of suspected fraud and abuse. Of the overall numbers received to end September, close to 14,000 have been examined and following the initial stages of examination, close to 9,000 have been referred for further investigation and appropriate follow-up action.
It is important to note that a payment is not suspended or stopped solely on the basis of a report received. The report provides a “trigger” for the instigation of a review of a specific entitlement and further investigation if that is considered to be warranted.
It is also important to note that anonymous reports are not available to Deciding Officers when they are making their decisions on cases. The Deciding Officer’s decision must be based on the full facts and circumstances of the case and, as a result, statistics are not available on the outcome of anonymous reports. Furthermore, anonymous or confidential reports of abuse do not form any part of the evidence when a case is being considered for prosecution.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
