Thursday, 8 Mar 2018

Written Answers Nos. 597-621

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ceisteanna (597)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

597. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review and repeal the decision whereby widow's, widower's and survivor's pensions are not payable to persons married here following an overseas divorce; if it is recognised that the operation of this provision is likely to cause serious consequences in the future and hardship in the interim for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11586/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

To qualify for a widow(er)’s or surviving civil partner’s (contributory) pension, the surviving spouse must be deemed, under Irish State Law, to be the legal widower of the deceased.

The person concerned was divorced in Northern Ireland. The legislative provisions pertaining to the recognition of divorces outside the State are set out in Section 5 of the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act, 1986. Responsibility for this legislation lies with the Minister for Justice and Equality. In accordance with that Act, a foreign divorce will be recognised in this state, if one of the parties to the divorce was domiciled in the country granting the divorce when proceedings were initiated.

The evidence available to the Department indicates that both parties to the divorce were domiciled in Ireland at the time their divorce proceedings were initiated in Northern Ireland. Therefore, in accordance with the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act, 1986, the divorce cannot be recognised under Irish State Law.

The person concerned subsequently married his late wife in Northern Ireland. As the foreign divorce cannot be recognised, the subsequent marriage cannot be recognised, and the person concerned cannot be deemed, under Irish State Law, to be the legal widower of the deceased. Consequently, there is no entitlement to widower’s contributory pension.

It is open to the person concerned to apply to the Family Law Court to have a declaration made under Section 29(1) of the Family Law Act 1995 as to whether the divorce obtained in Northern Ireland should be entitled to recognition in the Irish State.

Additionally, the person concerned may appeal the decision of the Deciding Officer to the independent Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, D’Olier St., Dublin 2.

The person concerned can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance from their local community welfare service accessed through the nearest Intreo Centre, if the resources currently available to them are insufficient to meet their needs.

I have no plans to review or change the eligibility criteria for widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s (contributory) pensions at this time.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

Ceisteanna (598, 599)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

598. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount paid out of the humanitarian assistance scheme in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11629/18]

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

599. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average waiting times for payment under the humanitarian assistance scheme in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11630/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies and the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for capital flood relief activities. However, my Department has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as flooding under the humanitarian assistance scheme.

The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to provide income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair. The scheme is demand led and expenditure for the period from 2010 to 2018 to date is approximately €6 million. A yearly breakdown of this expenditure is provided in the attached tabular statement.

Statistics are not maintained on the average waiting times for payment; however I can assure the Deputy that supports are provided to those affected as swiftly as possible given the emergency nature of these situations. Officials in my Department’s Community Welfare Service closely monitor the situation on the ground and engage with the relevant local authorities and other agencies to ensure a co-ordinated and immediate response.

Emergency income support payments to cover essential items such as food, clothing and personal items are quickly issued in the immediate aftermath of the event. Supports towards the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items may take longer as it is not until the flood water abates and houses dry out that the full extent of the damage to homes becomes known. The longer term supports covering remedial works such as plastering, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting can take several months before this stage of the response is completed.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Expenditure under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme 2010 – 2018 (end of February)

Year	Outturn €000
2010	1,045
2011	1
2012	714
2013	118
2014	1,189
2015	233
2016	1,682
2017	613*
2018 (End Feb)	124

*2016 Outturn is provisional

Weather Events Response

Ceisteanna (600)

John Brady

Ceist:

600. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to put protocols in place to deal with future severe weather events when it comes to the payment of social welfare to recipients; her further plans to publish such protocols for clarification in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11653/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The provision of payments is a critical function of the Department for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. My Department has robust contingency plans in place to ensure the minimisation of any disruption which would impact on our ability to make payments to our customers. My Department is also represented on the National Emergency Coordination Group with a view to ensuring a whole of Government coordinated response to evolving emergency situations.

Officials of the Department actively maintain a Payment Loss Incident Management Plan and this was activated when it became apparent that severe weather disruption was imminent. Accordingly arrangements were put in place with both of the Department’s payment agents, An Post and the Bank of Ireland, to make early payments so that as many clients of the Department as possible could receive their payments before the severe weather arrived.

During the severe weather, Department officials were in continual communication with both An Post and the Bank of Ireland to monitor the progress of payments and to ascertain details of any disruption. Regular updates were also provided to the public on the Department’s website, social media and via the NECG.

Where situations like this arise, further assistance may be available to people under the Exceptional Needs Payments (ENP) or the Urgent Needs Payments (UNP) schemes. These schemes are administered by experienced Community Welfare Service staff in the Department. Emergency contact details for these services were made available when the Department's offices were closed on 1st and 2nd March. Any person requiring these supports can contact or visit the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo centre. Further information is available on the Department’s website at www.welfare.ie/contactus.

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (601)

John Brady

Ceist:

601. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the possibility of introducing a cold weather payment which would be paid automatically in cases in which temperatures drop below zero after a certain number of days as is in place in United Kingdom will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11654/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 27 weeks (a total of €607.50 each year) from October to April, to over 338,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households 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 UK has a Winter Fuel Payment, which amounts to between £100 and £300 pounds each winter. In addition to this amount, Cold Weather Payments may be awarded to provide help to people in meeting their additional heating costs during periods of extreme cold. Payment is made automatically when the average temperature at the weather station linked to an eligible customer’s postcode has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0 degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. This payment, when it is made, amounts to £25 for a seven day period of extreme cold.

The introduction of a similar scheme in Ireland would result in very significant administrative and technical overheads and could also result in unfair situations where customers in one county receive the payment while customers in neighbouring counties do not.

Given the severity of the weather in recent days, I announced that all people in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive an extra payment of €22.50 in respect of last week, regardless of the temperature in their area over the previous seven consecutive days.

I believe that this was the fairest and best way of ensuring that those in most need received the extra payment and therefore I have no plans to introduce a cold weather payment scheme similar to the one in the UK at this time. If similar exceptionally severe weather occurs in the future I will of course again look at the best way of ensuring customers of my Department can feel safe and warm in their homes.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

Ceisteanna (602)

John Brady

Ceist:

602. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of State pension (non-contributory) payments that have been cut as a result of the fraud and error surveys carried out involving 1,000 pensioners; the amounts cut from the affected pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11662/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

My Department has a duty to ensure that it pays the right person the right amount of money at the right time. It is important that all schemes operated by my Department, including State Pension (non-contributory), are subject to ongoing control reviews and continuing eligibility checks. This includes conducting fraud and error surveys which serve to reaffirm the entitlement of randomly selected recipients to their ongoing social welfare payments.

Fraud and error surveys are an integral part of my Department’s overall approach to control. The results provide an indicator of the risk of non-compliance with scheme rules at a point in time. They also provide evidence on where control activities should be focused and inform risk assessment models for schemes.

As part of an ongoing programme of fraud and error surveys, my Department is currently conducting a survey of the State Pension (non-contributory) scheme. Work on the survey is ongoing and results are not expected to be available for publication until April/May 2018 at the earliest. The results of all such surveys are published by my Department and available on the website www.welfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Schemes Data

Ceisteanna (603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 617)

John Brady

Ceist:

603. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit, supplementary welfare allowance, farm assist, one parent family payment, carer's allowance and carer's benefit in tabular form; the increase to the weekly rates if they were to be increased in line with the Department of Finance's inflation forecast for 2019; the cost of this increase per scheme; the cost of further increasing each of the weekly payments to bring the rate increase to a total of €5; and the cost of the increase per scheme. [11663/18]

John Brady

Ceist:

604. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the disability allowance, blind pension and invalidity pension in tabular form; the increase to the weekly rates if they were to be increased in line with the Department of Finance's inflation forecast for 2019; the cost of this increase per scheme; the cost of further increasing each of the weekly payments to bring the rate increase to a total of €6; and the cost of the total increase per scheme. [11664/18]

John Brady

Ceist:

605. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the family income supplement, FIS, in tabular form; the increase to the weekly rates if they were to be increased in line with the Department of Finance's inflation forecast for 2019; the cost of this increase; the cost of further increasing FIS expenditure to bring the increase to a total of 5% and 10%; and the cost of the increase. [11665/18]

John Brady

Ceist:

606. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the age related under 26 years of age jobseeker's and supplementary welfare allowance payment rates of €102.70 and €148.70, respectively in tabular from; the increase to the weekly rates if they were to be increased in line with the Department of Finance's inflation forecast for 2019; the cost of these increases; the cost of further increasing each of the weekly payments to bring the rate increase to a total of €10; and the cost of the increase per scheme. [11666/18]

John Brady

Ceist:

607. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the State pension in tabular form; the increase to the weekly rates if they were to be increased in line with the Department of Finance's inflation forecast for 2019; the cost of this increase per payment; the cost of further increasing each of the weekly payments to bring the rate increase to a total of €4.50; and the cost of the increase per payment. [11667/18]

John Brady

Ceist:

617. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of increasing all weekly social welfare payments, assuming family income supplement is included in line with inflation in each of the years 2019 to 2023 as per the most recent inflation rate forecasts by the Department of Finance in tabular form. [11727/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 603 to 607, inclusive, and 617 together.

The costings sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following series of tables.

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices used in the tables below are sourced from the Department of Finance’s 2018 Budget Day book. This provides forecasts for inflation for the four years 2018 to 2021 inclusive, and these are the latest published forecasts. However, as there are no projections available for the years 2022 or 2023, costings are provided for the years 2019 to 2021 inclusive only.

All of the costings below are based on 2018 recipient numbers, and include the cost of proportionate increases in reduced rates and the qualified adult rates of payment, where applicable. It should be noted that the costings do not take into account changing trends (increases or decreases) in recipient numbers from 2019 onwards.

The rate increases in line with inflation are calculated based on the Budget 2018 rates that will be paid from the week commencing 26 March 2018.

Table 1: Increases (for certain schemes) linked to the forecast 2019 inflation rate of 1.4% and a €5 increase

Scheme	2019 Inflation (1.4%) rate increase €	Cost of this increase €m	Additional amount with a €5 increase €	Cost of the additional amount €m	Overall cost of a €5 increase €m
Jobseeker’s Allowance – maximum rate payable	2.80	25.2	2.20	19.8	45.0
Jobseeker’s Allowance –rate payable to those aged 25 years of age	2.10	0.4	2.90	0.5	0.9
Jobseeker’s Allowance –rate payable to those aged 18 to 24 years of age	1.50	1.5	3.50	3.4	4.9
Jobseeker’s Benefit	2.80	4.8	2.20	3.8	8.6
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	2.70	2.6	2.30	2.2	4.8
Farm Assist	2.80	1.3	2.20	1.0	2.3
One Parent Family Payment	2.80	5.7	2.20	4.5	10.2
Carer’s Allowance – rate payable to those aged under 66	3.00	8.3	2.00	5.5	13.8
Carer’s Allowance – rate payable to those aged 66 and over	3.50	1.5	1.50	0.6	2.1
Carer’s Benefit	3.00	0.5	2.00	0.3	0.8

Table 2: Increases (for certain schemes) linked to the forecast 2019 inflation rate of 1.4% and a €6 increase

Scheme	2019 Inflation (1.4%) rate increase €	Cost of this increase €m	Additional amount with a €6 increase €	Cost of the additional amount €m	Overall cost of a €6 increase €m
Disability Allowance	2.80	21.1	3.20	24.0	45.1
Blind Pension	2.80	0.2	3.20	0.2	0.4
Invalidity Pension	2.80	9.6	3.20	10.9	20.5

Table 3: Cost of Percentage Increases for Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement – FIS)

Scheme	2019 Inflation (1.4%) increase €m	5% increase €m	10% increase €m
Working Family Payment	6.0	21.6	43.1

There are no set weekly rates of payment for this scheme as payment is calculated based on 60% of the difference in the weekly net earnings of a recipient and the weekly threshold applicable to them. The costs detailed above are calculated using the estimated 2018 expenditure on the Working Family Payment as provided in the 2018 Revised Estimates.

Table 4: Increases for Jobseeker’s Allowance reduced rates of payment linked to the 2019 forecast inflation rate of 1.4% and a €10 increase

Scheme	2019 Inflation (1.4%) rate increase €	Cost of this increase €m	Additional amount with a €10 increase €	Cost of the additional amount €m	Overall cost of a €10 increase €m
Jobseeker’s Allowance –rate payable to those aged 25 years of age	2.10	0.4	7.90	1.3	1.7
Jobseeker’s Allowance –rate payable to those aged 18 to 24 years of age	1.50	1.5	8.50	8.3	9.8

Table 5: Increases for pension schemes linked to the 2019 inflation rate of 1.4% and a €4.50 increase

Scheme	2019 Inflation (1.4%) rate increase €	Cost of this increase €m	Additional amount with a €4.50 increase €	Cost of the additional amount €m	Overall cost of a €4.50 increase €m
State Pension Contributory	3.40	69.3	1.10	22.5	91.8
State Pension Non Contributory	3.20	16.1	1.30	6.6	22.7
Widow/er’s / Surviving Civil Partner (Con) Pension (aged 66 and over)	3.40	14.3	1.10	4.6	18.9
Deserted Wife’s Benefit (aged 66 and over)	3.40	0.4	1.10	0.1	0.5
Death Benefit Pension (aged 66 and over)	3.50	0.06	1.00	0.02	0.08
Incapacity Supplement (aged 66 and over)	3.00	0.2	1.50	0.1	0.3
Carer’s Allowance (aged 66 and over)	3.50	1.5	1.00	0.4	1.9

Table 6: Cost of increasing all weekly social welfare payments in line with inflation, 2019-2021

All weekly Social Welfare payments

2019 – 1.4% €m	2020 – 1.8% €m	2021 – 1.9% €m
225.4	306.7	350.4

The costs for all weekly social welfare payments includes increasing the qualified child increase, the Living Alone Increase and the over 80s allowance in line with projected inflation. It also includes increasing the rates for the employment programmes including Community Employment, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme but it does not include increasing the top-ups paid on these schemes. Furthermore, it includes increasing expenditure on the Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement) in line with projected inflation.

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (608)

John Brady

Ceist:

608. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the areas that will be examined for possible changes to or restructuring of PRSI contributions with a view to manage and finance State pensions into the future as per the newly published Roadmap for Pensions Reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11671/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023 confirms Government’s position that the State pension will be reformed and will remain as the fundamental basis of the pension system in Ireland. To do this, the Government will introduce from 2020 ‘Total Contributions Approach’ (TCA) for the State Pension (Contributory). The TCA is advanced as a more logical and transparent system, where the individual’s lifetime contribution will more closely match the benefit received.

The Roadmap also confirms that State pension payments will be formally benchmarked at 34% of average earnings and that future increases will be linked to the consumer price index and average wages. Taken together, these measures will provide greater confidence regarding pension value over the long term. The changes proposed in this Roadmap will enable people to plan with confidence for their retirement and be assured that the adequacy of their State pension will be protected over time. They will also introduce greater equity into the State pension system.

However the changes can only be implemented and the necessary assurances as to the maintenance of pension adequacy provided, if there is a similar level of assurance as to the funding of the system. In other words, that social insurance contribution rates will be adjusted to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to Government to finance the payment of pensions.

Therefore, in order to bring greater certainty to the funding of the Social Insurance Fund, the Roadmap proposes the establishment of a transparent actuarial basis for the setting of Social Insurance contribution rates and commits to the publication of a consultation paper in this regard. This process will be informed by the recently published Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund which will itself play an important role in informing overall debate on policy developments in relation to the SIF in the years ahead. This includes the financial sustainability of the Fund given the expected demographic challenges and consideration of extending the scope of benefits for workers generally, including the self-employed. This will provide Government with a timely and evidence-led opportunity to undertake a full review of our social insurance system and to consult with stakeholders.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (609)

John Brady

Ceist:

609. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the protections that will be in place to ensure that poverty is avoided for those in receipt of the State pension (non-contributory) in view of the plans detailed in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform to link the State pension (contributory) amount to the consumer price index and wage levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11672/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Roadmap for Pensions Reform commits the Government to examine and develop proposals this year, to set a formal benchmark of 34% of average earnings for the State pension (contributory). These proposals when developed later this year will also set out what this will mean, in practical terms, for those in receipt of the State pension (non-contributory). I can assure the Deputy, however, that the rate of the non-contributory pension will be at least maintained, in real terms, for the duration of this Government, as set out in the Programme for Government.

Last year, a person solely dependent upon State pension (non-contributory) pension and in receipt of full secondary benefits, already received pension payments above the 34% benchmark. The €5 increase later this month will bring the weekly rate to €232 (95.36% of the maximum rate of the contributory pension), with allowances and secondary benefits also available where applicable, including Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits, Living Alone Allowance, Telephone Support Allowance and Over-80 Allowances.

Current poverty rates for people over 66 are much lower than among the general population, with approximately half as many at risk of poverty (8.77%), and less than a fifth as many (1.56%) experiencing consistent poverty. This is a direct result of the success of the Government in defending the core rates of pension payments during the downturn, and the subsequent increases now that the economy has been revitalised.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (610)

John Brady

Ceist:

610. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the 40 years social insurance contributions needed to receive a full State pension was arrived at for the new total contributions approach as detailed in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11673/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023 sets out how we intend to implement the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to calculating entitlement to the State pension (contributory) from 2020 onwards. Subject to finalisation of the scheme design following a public consultation, it is intended that the TCA will offer a full State pension to all people with a full record of 40 years social insurance contributions with pro-rata payments for people with less than 40 years of contributions. People who have to take time out of the workforce to take up caring duties will be eligible to accumulate up to 20 years credits towards meeting the full 40 year contribution record. Similarly, unemployed people and others with an entitlement will, as now, be able to get credited contributions provided that they have a minimum number of paid contributions.

The model proposed in the National Pensions Framework in 2010 required 30 years of contributions, but had a cap of 10 years for credits, including Homemakers credits. It also did not recognise home-making periods before 1994. These factors meant that such a model would be disadvantageous to women who had significant periods outside the workforce raising children.

The 40 year proposal allows for 20 years of credits, including HomeCaring Credits and crucially, removes the limitation on these HomeCaring periods before 1994 that was included in the 2010 plan. The current proposal is far more gender balanced, and supports our policy of making the State pension adequate, sustainable and equitable. A former home-maker can qualify for a maximum rate pension with only 20 years contributions under this system. It also allows a person qualify for a maximum rate pension with 30 years of paid contributions and 10 years of ordinary credits, even if they had no home-making periods over the course of the 50 years between age 16 and state pension age.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (611)

John Brady

Ceist:

611. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the cost of tax reliefs on private pensions was not examined in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform; if this means that tax reliefs will continue for those that need them least; her views on whether this is worthwhile expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11674/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Let me begin by clarifying that policy with regard to tax relief on private pensions is a matter for the Minister for Finance. However, I can say that I am in favour of financially incentivising retirement savings to help address a situation where the proportion of employees in Ireland with supplementary pension cover is far too low at just 35% of the private sector workforce. This suggests that a high percentage of the working population is not saving enough, or is not saving at all, for retirement.

Tax relief is a significant cost to the State but the benefits of tax relief are not at all well understood and many have little or no understanding of how the tax system impacts pension contributions. This is why in launching the new Automatic Enrolment system detailed in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform, to incentivise participation and mitigate the risk of member opt-out, the Government believes that any financial incentives must be effectively communicated, easily understood and appreciated.

To enhance the potential for the success of the automatic enrolment system, any State provided financial incentives should strive to give relief in a manner that supports low to middle income earners and be sufficiently attractive to encourage such earners to participate. Incentives should also avoid complexity and be as transparent as possible.

I can confirm that the Roadmap commits to a review of the cost of funded supplementary pensions to the Exchequer. This will inform decisions relating to financial incentives for retirement savings and underpin the development of an automatic enrolment system. It will include an assessment of the economic and social benefits delivered and an evaluation of equity in the distribution of tax expenditure on pensions.

The Roadmap also confirms that an Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Group (chaired by the Department of Finance) will identity and progress measures to improve the harmonisation of rules to eliminate anomalies in the treatment of different retirement arrangements including taxation treatment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (612)

John Brady

Ceist:

612. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her Department along with other Departments will determine whether or not there is improved flexibility for workers when it comes to remaining at work beyond the traditional retirement age; the way in which this will be kept under review as stated in the Roadmap for Pensions Reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11675/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Government believes that as we live longer and healthier lives many people wish to, and can, continue to work to an older age and make a positive contribution through their work to our society. Accordingly The Roadmap for Pensions Reform details a range of measures intended to support a positive ageing environment, where older people are, to the greatest extent possible, encouraged, and facilitated in working, if they wish to, beyond the ‘normal’ retirement age.

Ireland does not have a default age at which employees must retire and the setting of retirement age remains a matter for agreement between employers/employees and the employment contract. The Government recognises that measures which may support longer working include encouraging employers to more closely consider the logic of, and justification for, mandatory retirement ages in employment contracts.

Employers/employees and their representatives had indicated difficulty in interpreting and engaging on matters relating to retirement age in the absence of an overarching guidance or framework. In response to these concerns, the Workplace Relations Commission has recently published a ‘Code of Practice on Longer Working’. The code informs best practice in managing the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement, including requests to work beyond what would be the normal retirement age in the employment concerned. Following publication of this code, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will prepare and publish further guidance material for employers on the use of fixed-term contracts beyond normal retirement age.

The Government expects that these and other provisions will combine to result in greater employee flexibility to work beyond what may be considered the traditional retirement age of 65. To ensure this is the case, the Roadmap confirms that employment practices in this area will be kept under close review in the near term. This will include engaging with employer and employee representatives and monitoring the labour market more generally to observe changing employment practices.

As the Roadmap makes clear, should it appear that these provisions are not resulting in improved flexibility for workers, the Government will examine and consider the merits of restricting the capacity to use mandatory retirement provisions relative to the State pension age.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 613 answered with Question No. 550.

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (614)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

614. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the report on the costings of pay equality and the timeframe to achieve same (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11682/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

As Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection I have responsibility for State pension policy. However, my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has responsibility for public service pay and pensions.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (615)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

615. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff assigned in her Department to the press office, public relations or communications roles in each year since 2015; the positions by staffing grade and designated role; when each new position came into existence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11702/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Staff in the Communications and Customer Service Unit of my Department perform a number of different roles which may change depending on the business needs of the Department. Staff are divided between the following teams within the Unit:

- Communications Team: The communications team are responsible for all planned external communications and public information campaigns as well as supporting internal communications, developing and designing reports/documents/posters/ and other visual material for use by the Department in its engagements with customers and stakeholders. The team is also responsible for developing useful customer content including explainer videos and information in a range of accessible formats including Irish Sign Language and braille, where required. The team also manages the Department’s official Twitter account in respect of press and campaign related information.

- The Press Office Team: The press office team communicates the messages of the Minister and the Department to the media, manages key media events for the Department and provides timely responses to media enquiries.

- The Information Team: The team operates a general information contact centre and email account on behalf of the Department, which provide general information to customers on the schemes and services of the Department. They represent the Department at various customer and stakeholder events and provide general information talks on aspects of the Department’s work to various organisations on request. They also assist other areas with the logistics associated with representing the Department at events, including the provision of corporate materials for such events. They also manage the provision of a leaflet despatch service on behalf of the Department. At the end of January 2018, there were 9.3 (FTE) officers serving in the Information Team, the largest component of the Communications Unit.

- Customer Service Team: The team is responsible for developing Customer Services Policy on behalf of the Department. The team also coordinates the Department's Comments Complaints and Compliments system which is the formal feedback system from customers on their experiences of interacting with the Department. It manages and coordinates the Customer Charter and Action Plan. The team has recently commenced a Plain English project on behalf of the Department to improve written customer communications.

- Website, Forms Design and Social Customer Service Team: The team manage and update the Department’s website on a daily basis to ensure timely and relevant customer and stakeholder information is available and presented in an accessible and user-friendly way. This includes scheme updates, important changes in the Department, crisis communications and service/office related updates. The Department’s website had 7.36m visits in 2017, with 3.98m of these being unique visits. The team also manages the Department’s official Twitter account for the purpose of customer information/customer service. The forms design team develop and update primary customer application forms for all schemes administered by the Department.

The following table provides a breakdown of the staff numbers serving in my Department in the press office, information section or communications roles at the end of each year since 2015.

Grade	Dec 2015	Dec 2016	Dec 2017	Jan 2018
Principal	0.30	1.30	1.00	1.00
Assistant Principal	2.00	2.00	1.00	1.00
Higher Executive Officer	6.00	6.00	6.00	6.00
Executive Officer	9.80	12.00	10.00	12.00
Clerical Officer	14.40	13.80	9.30	9.30
Total	32.5	35.1	27.3	29.3

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (616)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

616. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a panel has been established in her Department for communications officers; if a Civil Service position of head of communications or similar role or description has been appointed in her Department; if so, when the appointment occurred; the grade at which it occurred; the reason for same; the policy basis for same; the person that approved the appointment; her plans to make such an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11718/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

My Department is continuously engaging with its broad customer and stakeholder base to increase public awareness of its many schemes and services.

With this in mind, a dedicated Communications and Customer Services Unit exists within my Department whose role is to ensure information about the Departments schemes and its work is effectively communicated with customers and stakeholder using a wide range of communications channels. The unit also has responsibility for developing customer service policy for the Department.

The head of this unit, at Principal level, was appointed on the 22nd August 2016 following a Public Appointment Service open competition.

I can confirm that no panel for communication officers has been established in the Department.

Question No. 617 answered with Question No. 603.

Rental Sector Strategy

Ceisteanna (618, 661)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

618. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the composition of the delegation from his Department on a working group further to a commitment in a Rebuilding Ireland strategy document (details supplied); the number of meetings of this working group that he has attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11383/18]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

661. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 779 of 27 February 2018, the reason details of the progress of the report requested were not provided as part of his response; and if this information will now be provided. [11381/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 618 and 661 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 779 of 27 February 2018 in which the extent of progress made by the Working Group involved is evident from the indication that it expects to finalise its report shortly. The representation by my Department on the Group was also outlined in that reply. As the Working Group is an official level group, the question of Ministerial attendance doesn't arise.

Litter Pollution Legislation

Ceisteanna (619)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

619. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on concerns raised (details supplied) about the progress of banning microbeads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11385/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

I agree that plastic microbeads in rinse-down-the-drain products should be banned and, as my Department is responsible for the protection of the marine environment, I am working to ensure that this happens. My Department proposes to implement a legislative ban on the sale or manufacture of personal care products, detergents and scouring agents containing plastic microbeads and it is intended that Heads of a Bill to ban plastic microbeads will be published later this year.

Over recent years, scientists, experts and policy makers have become increasingly concerned about the levels of waste, or marine litter, winding up in our seas and oceans.  It can be found in every aspect of the marine environment and ranges in size from large objects, such as fishing nets or shipping containers, to micro- and nano-litter particles - i.e. particles of smaller than 5 mm in diameter and smaller than 0.05 mm, respectively. It is clear that this is an issue that needs to be addressed, at the very least, under the precautionary principle.  Marine litter also causes socio-economic harm, such as affecting tourism and consumer confidence in seafood.

Plastic is a particular problem for the marine environment.  Due to its buoyancy, it can easily be washed down rivers, blown offshore or collected by the tide from the shore as well as being dumped or lost directly into the seas from ships and fishing boats.  It does not biodegrade and persists in the environment for a very long time.  It can breakdown into secondary microplastic particles through erosion and there is evidence that both large plastic items and microplastics are being ingested by marine fauna with undetermined consequences both for them and for those higher up the food chain who eat them, in turn. Plastics may contain toxic additives or may even absorb other toxins present in the water.  

While it is considered that most marine microplastic litter is created through the erosion of larger pieces, microplastics are also entering the marine environment in other forms such as micro-fibres from artificial fabrics worn off clothes by washing, for example. However, a certain amount of marine microplastic litter is caused by plastic microbeads which are used in cosmetics, body care and cleansing products, and detergents and surface cleaning agents, entering the marine environment via wastewater discharges into rivers and estuaries.

While these microbeads only represent a small fraction of the microplastic litter entering the marine environment, they are a particularly pernicious product as they are “ready-made” microplastics and cannot be removed once they reach it. 

Microbeads could not be regarded as a major human necessity. They are often present merely for decorative purposes or are used as bulking agents in products. Also, where microbeads are used as exfoliating or scouring agents, a wide array of established safe and biodegradable organic particles or natural mineral alternatives is available.

Home Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (620)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

620. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to expand the parameters of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme to allow persons who have lost a house during the recession or have entered and exited bankruptcy to apply for the loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10827/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, a new loan offering, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, was introduced on 1 February 2018.

Applicants for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan must be of good credit standing and have a satisfactory credit record. The Housing Agency provides a central credit assessment service to local authorities and credit checks are undertaken as part of the credit assessment process. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the statutory credit policy, that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authorities.

A person who has been discharged from bankruptcy and is eligible in all other respects, including being a first-time buyer, for a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan may apply for a loan and will be subject to the same credit assessment process that applies to all applicants.

As with the previous local authority home loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first time buyers only. There is no change in this regard. This is to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources.

The option currently available for non-first time buyers is to seek mortgage finance from one of the commercial lending institutions.

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Ceisteanna (621)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

621. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the commercial rates harmonisation process for each local authority; the expected timeframes for completion of the process in tabular form. [10828/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015.  The Commissioner of Valuation has responsibility for valuation matters.  The Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation of each property determined by the Valuation Office to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function.

The Local Government Reform Act 2014 provided for rates harmonisation to cater for differences between Annual Rates on Valuation (ARVs) of towns and counties.  The new structures of local government, including the establishment of municipal districts, provided an opportunity to achieve a more coherent approach to rates and charges on a county-wide basis.  In 2015, local authorities began the process of harmonisation to cater for differences between ARVs of former towns and of counties.  Increases or decreases in rates liability due to harmonisation are being phased in since 2015 and over a period of up to 10 years.  An adjustment mechanism is provided to phase in increases and decreases to be known as the Base Year Adjustment (BYA).  The adoption of the ARV and BYA in respect of each financial year are reserved functions of local authorities.

The information requested in respect of the status of the rates harmonisation process in local authorities is set out in the following table.

Local Authority Name	ARV 2018	BYA 2018	Eff. ARV (Net of BYA) 2018
Carlow County Council	0.2571	None
Carlow Town Council		None
Cavan County Council	60.87	None
Cavan Town Council		None
Clare County Council	72.99	None
Ennis Town Council		None
Kilrush Town Council		None
Cork City Council	74.98	None
Cork County Council	74.75	0.00	74.75
Clonakilty Town Council		-3.12	71.63
Cobh Town Council		-1.29	73.46
Fermoy Town Council		-5.50	69.25
Kinsale Town Council		-3.86	70.89
Macroom Town Council		-3.75	71.00
Mallow Town Council		-6.75	68.00
Midleton Town Council		-6.48	68.27
Skibbereen Town Council		-1.96	72.79
Youghal Town Council		-3.78	70.97
Donegal County Council	71.81	0.00	71.81
Buncrana Town Council		-19.52	52.29
Bundoran Town Council		0.00	71.81
Letterkenny Town Council		0.00	71.81
Dublin City Council	0.2580	None
Dun Laoighaire Rathdown County Council	0.1673	None
Fingal County Council	0.1470	None
Galway City Council	67.40	None
Galway County Council	66.59	0.00	66.59
Ballinasloe Town Council		-5.59	61.00
Kerry County Council	79.25	0.63	79.88
Killarney Town Council		-5.07	74.18
Listowel Town Council		0.37	79.62
Tralee Town Council		-1.25	78.00
Kildare County Council	0.2246	0.0000	0.2246
Athy Town Council		-0.0104	0.2142
Naas Town Council		0.0000	0.2246
Kilkenny County Council	0.2000	None
Kilkenny Borough Council		None
Laois County Council	66.57	None
Leitrim County Council	0.2103	None
Limerick City and County Council	0.2627	None
Limerick City Council		None
Limerick County Council		None
Longford County Council	0.2400	None
Longford Town Council		None
Louth County Council	60.00	-2.00	58.00
Drogheda Borough Council		3.50	63.50
Dundalk Town Council		3.50	63.50
Mayo County Council	73.92	None
Ballina Town Council		None
Castlebar Town Council		None
Westport Town Council		None
Meath County Council	69.625	None
Kells Town Council		None
Navan Town Council		None
Trim Town Council		None
Monaghan County Council	57.63	None
Carrickmacross Town Council		None
Castleblaney Town Council		None
Clones Town Council		None
Monaghan Town Council		None
Offaly County Council	0.2198	None
Birr Town Council		None
Tullamore Town Council		None
Roscommon County Council	0.2250	None
Sligo County Council	0.2305	None
Sligo Borough Council		None
South Dublin County Council	0.2730	None
Tipperary County Council	56.77	0.00	56.77
North Tipperary County Council		0.00	56.77
South Tipperary County Council		0.00	56.77
Clonmel Town Council		0.52	57.29
Carrick-on-Suir Town Council		-1.44	55.33
Cashel Town Council		0.20	56.97
Nenagh Town Council		-0.27	56.50
Templemore Town Council		-0.72	56.05
Thurles Town Council		0.00	56.77
Tipperary Town Council		-1.14	55.63
Waterford City and County Council	0.2583	None
Waterford City Council		None
Waterford County Council		None
Dungarvan Town Council		None
Westmeath County Council	0.183	None
Athlone Town Council		None
Wexford County Council	73.67	None
Enniscorthy Town Council		None
New Ross Town Council		None
Wexford Borough Council		None
Wicklow County Council	72.04	1.19	73.23
Arklow Town Council		-2.02	70.02
Bray Town Council		-1.09	70.95
Wicklow Town Council		-2.2	69.84