Written Answers Nos. 238-248
238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the re-examination of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that in light of additional evidence submitted, the Appeals Officer has completed a review of his original decision to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. Regrettably, the Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of his earlier decision. A detailed letter outlining the result of the Appeals Officer’s review has issued to the Deputy and has been copied to the appellant.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
239. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the parents of foster children whose attention was not drawn to the fact that they could declare foster children as child dependants on the jobseeker’s allowance payment can have this payment backdated to when they first started caring for the foster children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49582/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and who are available for and genuinely seeking full-time employment. Jobseeker’s allowance is a means tested social assistance payment whereas jobseeker’s benefit is a contribution based insurance scheme. The 2017 Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure this year on the jobseekers’ schemes of €2.5 billion.
Jobseeker’s payments compensate for periods of involuntary unemployment only and for this reason social welfare legislation provides that all jobseekers must satisfy certain qualifying conditions in order to be entitled to an unemployment payment.
It is open to any individual to make a claim for jobseeker’s allowance including for their dependents at any time. There is a requirement under the legislation that persons must claim their entitlements within a specific period from the date their entitlement arises. This period is referred to as the 'prescribed time'. Under the legislation an applicant shall be disqualified for payment in respect of any period before the date on which a claim for jobseekers allowance is made.
Where a claim is made after the prescribed time, a statutory disqualification is incurred, and payment cannot be made for the period of disqualification. Notwithstanding this, a person may be entitled to a payment where the claimant shows "good cause" for not making the claim within the prescribed time, subject to all of the other criteria of the scheme being satisfied.
Lack of knowledge by itself is not regarded as a sufficient reason for not claiming in time. My Department publishes information leaflets as widely as possible and advertises social welfare schemes in the national press and on radio. Information Offices are available throughout the country for people to make enquiries as to their entitlements. My Department’s website also provides information on entitlements for all social welfare schemes including the jobseekers allowance scheme.
240. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a back payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49593/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis gentleman has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 18 November 2015.
Arrears of payment due for the period 18 November 2015 to 9 August 2016 issued to his home address by cheque on 3 November 2016 less an outstanding debt to the department. The outstanding debt relates to an overpayment of Jobseekers Allowance. My department is obliged to recoup any debt to it in an appropriate and timely manner and this includes the setting off of arrears due against the debt.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
242. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the research that has been carried out on the effects of wind turbines on wildlife, in particular the effect of moving blades on bats and birds and the effect of tremors caused by turbines on livestock. [49637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not conducted any specific research on the issues referred to by the Deputy.
However, I understand that there are a number of international studies on the impact of wind turbines on wildlife. In addition, I have been informed that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, has recently provided funding for the following independent research projects on interactions between wind farms and wildlife, including:
- Birdwatch Ireland - Phase 1 delivery of a fully consolidated bird sensitivity map for Ireland;
- University College Dublin - Study on the interactions of bats with onshore wind farms;
- BirdWatch Ireland - a project on ‘Scoping the potential requirements for delivery of a Bird Sensitivity Map for offshore renewable energies supported by deployment of innovative tracking technology on seabirds and coastal waterbirds along the east coast’.
I understand that the SEAI also provides funding to BirdWatch Ireland to participate in the international research collaboration, under the aegis of the International Energy Agency Wind Research, Design and Development Task 34: Working Together to Resolve Environmental Effects of Wind Energy (WREN).
In addition, I am informed that an independent study has been undertaken by University College Cork on the interactions between hen harriers and turbines, details of which can be found at: www.ucc.ie/en/forestecology/research/windharrier/.
243. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the LIHAF funding will be made available in view of the fact that south County Kildare needs funding for a new bridge. [49474/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first call for proposals under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) was issued to all local authorities in August 2016 and 34 projects received preliminary approval in March 2017. Three of the approved projects were in County Kildare at Maynooth, Naas and Sallins.
As part of Budget 2018, I announced an additional €50 million funding which will be available for a second LIHAF call and which will again be subject to matching funding of 25% by local authorities. This capital funding will facilitate the provision of more public infrastructure to unlock further sites and activate more housing supply.
A further call for proposals under LIHAF is likely early in 2018 and it will be open to all local authorities to submit new projects or resubmit previous unsuccessful projects for consideration at that time.
244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied); the reason this increase has been introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49540/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the CRU has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
Any business connected to a public water supply is liable for charges as a non-domestic customer. It should be noted that the arrangements in place for all non-domestic customers on 1 January 2014 remain in place with no changes for the time being. Non-domestic water tariffs are published by Irish Water online and the charges in Monaghan are available at www.water.ie/for-business/billing-explained/charges/monaghan-county-council/. This shows that the volumetric charge for water supply services for business customers in Monaghan is €1.01 per m3.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is progressing a review of all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs and in conjunction with Irish Water will establish an enduring non-domestic tariff framework. The CRU has published an information note informing customers and interested parties about the project and will shortly engage in a period of public consultation on the enduring tariff framework for non-domestic water and/or wastewater customers of Irish Water.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) also has a statutory responsibility to provide a complaints resolution service to Irish Water customers who have an unresolved dispute with the utility. A Customer Care Team has been setup within the CRU to deal directly with customers who have complaints. Further information about CRU's complaints procedure is available on their website at www.cer.ie/customer-care/water/complaints.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
245. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding sought by local authorities in Counties Louth, Meath and Kildare for each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017 for the purposes of constructing new local authority houses; the moneys allocated to each of these authorities in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017 for the purpose of such construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49543/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table sets out the funding provided for the construction of new local authority social housing in Counties Louth, Meath and Kildare in the years 2012-16 and to date in 2017, including in some instances, amounts self-funded from local property tax in lieu of exchequer funding. The level of capital funding provided to local authorities for their social housing construction activity is directly linked to the scale of delivery they achieve on these projects.
|
Year |
Louth |
Meath |
Kildare |
|
2012 |
€6,406,989 |
€322,048 |
€990,154 |
|
2013 |
€997,636 |
€3,667,603 |
€110,378 |
|
2014 |
€171,774 |
€158,940 |
€480,338 |
|
2015 |
€321,189 |
€810,608 (including €391,000 self-funded from local property tax) |
€476,730 |
|
2016 |
€741,690 |
€1,142,547 (including €222,547 self-funded from local property tax) |
€1,685,683 (including €955,658 self-funded from local property tax) |
|
2017 to date |
€29,515 |
€3,171,936 |
€4,800,367 |
Since the publication of the Social Housing Strategy in late 2014 and Rebuilding Ireland in 2016, an increased level of approvals for the construction of new local authority social housing have been issued. This can be seen in the social housing status reports, which are now published quarterly and show details of all approved social housing construction schemes, including locations, number of new homes being constructed and information relating to their advancement.
The most recent of these reports covers the period up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017 and contains information on the delivery of 11,000 approved new social homes, some 1,100 of which were delivered in 2016 and up to the end of quarter 2 of 2017. A further 2,700 of these new homes are now on site and under construction, with the remainder progressing through planning, design and on to construction.
The report which is available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-schemes-2017/, includes the social housing construction schemes progressing in Counties Louth, Meath and Kildare. In the time since the publication of that report, I have approved further construction schemes to deliver around 100 additional new social homes in these areas; details of these will be included when the latest construction status report is published shortly, covering the period to quarter 3 of 2017.
The construction status report also contains details on new social housing construction projects being advanced by approved housing bodies on behalf of local authorities, the funding for which is additional to the local authority funding shown in the table.
246. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the discussions at the EU Council meeting on PESCO. [49076/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume that the Deputy is referring to the FAC Defence Council which took place in Brussels on 13 November last, where Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers discussed over a working lunch, developments in the security and defence area, including PESCO.
As the Deputy is aware, PESCO is a mechanism provided for in the Treaty of the European Union to enable countries to come together and, on a project by project basis, jointly develop military crisis management capabilities for use in support of CSDP Operations. Under the treaties, PESCO is firmly set within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and CSDP. PESCO is seen as the primary initiative in demonstrating EU ambition in advancing the agenda on CSDP. In this regard, the establishment of PESCO is seen at EU level as a political demonstration of unity, inclusivity and continuing ambition to provide global leadership, in the face of Brexit and the increased security threats in the European Neighbourhood and beyond.
There has been significant engagement by all member States in the development of PESCO to ensure that it fully respects the differing security and defence policies of the member States as reflected in the treaties and the treaty protocols including in respect of the development of the ‘Notification’ to participate in PESCO. The ‘Notification’ document recites treaty and protocol provisions, recalls the EU commitment to multilateralism with the UN at its core with a view to increasing the commitment and contributions that Member States can make towards crisis management. It also sets out the criteria for participation. Once a country has agreed to join PESCO it can decide on the projects in which it participates on a case-by-case basis.
En marge of the Council meeting and prior to the working lunch, 23 Member States signed the PESCO Notification. The five that did not sign were; the UK due to Brexit, Denmark - which has an opt out on military CSDP matters, Portugal, which I understand intends to participate but has yet to complete its decision making process and Malta which has a very small and limited defence capacity and does not therefore intend to participate at this time. A further FAC Defence, is scheduled for 11 December in Brussels and at which it is expected that PESCO will be formally launched.
Accordingly, discussions on PESCO were forward looking on the follow-up to the expected launch of PESCO in December. Discussion centred on the EU’s comprehensive approach, encompassing foreign policy, trade, aid as well as security and addressed the need for PESCO projects to strengthen same and the requirement to also strengthen and reinforce civilian capabilities and crisis management tools. Regarding budgetary commitments, Ministers noted that commitments should not be seen nor presented as prejudging national parliaments' prerogatives in this area. Ministers also discussed the need for communication to the wider public.
To date Ireland has participated in all aspects of CSDP and has thus been able to influence the overall direction of CSDP, in particular ensuring ongoing support for the UN and multilateralism. Given this and the priority being given to the security and defence agenda by our partners in Europe, it will be important for Ireland to participate in PESCO so as to maintain a central influence on the development of CSDP, but also in terms of ensuring access to the latest developments on military capabilities for our Defence Forces on crisis management operations.
Participation by Ireland in PESCO will be subject to the approval of the Government and Dáil Éireann in accordance with the provisions of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2009. I am pleased to advise that the Government has approved Ireland’s participation in PESCO and Dáil approval will now be sought. I am satisfied that participation will contribute to both Ireland's and the EU's enhancement of capabilities for United Nations mandated missions engaged in peace keeping, conflict prevention or the strengthening of international security in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
247. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider introducing a service medal for long service for all those from the Reserve Defence Force formerly the FCA that have in excess of 30 years continuous service done in addition to the existing 21 year service medal to date; if he will further consider it in the context of the 1916 to 2016 commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49501/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bonn Seirbhíse (Na hÓglaigh Cúltaca) (The Service Medal (Reserve Defence Force) (formerly known as The Service Medal FCA and An Slua Muirí) was introduced in June 1961 for members and former members of the Reserve. The medal is awarded to qualifying personnel after 7 years’ service. A bar is awarded after 12 years’ service and a second bar is awarded after 21 years’ service.
The award of this medal to qualifying personnel reflects the service given by those personnel to the Reserve Defence Force and by extension to the wider public during the periods for which they served. The Government deeply appreciates and values the contribution of members of the Reserve Defence Force and the award of this medal reflects the esteem in which its members are held. I am satisfied that this medal meets the need of marking service of personnel with the Reserve Defence Force and I have no plans to introduce additional medals in this regard.
248. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a general pay increase and-or pay restoration is planned for Army rangers; the details on this matter; if there are payments of increases and-or restoration of payments outstanding for Army rangers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49601/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces are set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various parts of the public sector. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2015 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (the Lansdowne Road Agreement) define current pay policy for Public Servants and members of the Permanent Defence Force.
The Defence Forces have received the benefits of collective agreements in the past and it is intended that future remuneration of Defence Forces personnel will continue to be dealt with within this process.
Members of the ARW have received the general increases in pay provided to all members of the Permanent Defence Force under the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. Should the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations sign up the extension of the Lansdowne Road Agreement, they will also benefit from the increases contained therein.
The Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides a formal mechanism for the PDF Representative Associations, RACO and PDFORRA, to engage with the Official side. Having regard to commitments made under pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force can make representations in relation to their pay and conditions of service through their representative bodies. Where agreement is not reached it is open to both official and representative sides to refer the matter to an Adjudicator or an Arbitration Board to settle the matter. There are a number of outstanding Adjudication findings, across the Public Service, which cannot be implemented at this time having regard to the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009-2015. This includes the adjudication on an increase in the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) allowance.
Paragraph 5.21 of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, provides that the parties will commit to entering into a process to conclude by end-September 2018, which will involve engagement in relation to an appropriate, time-bound process for addressing any outstanding adjudications, having due regard to the question of their continued validity and cost implications. The review mechanism is the subject of ongoing consideration in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
