Written Answers Nos 911-927
911. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount that has been spent from LEADER on projects in County Carlow; the number of projects pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12197/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development. The programme is administered by Local Action Groups, LAGs, which are responsible for approving projects from applicants in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LAG area.
Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the LEADER programme over the period 2014-2020. The allocation to the LAG in the Carlow LEADER sub-regional area for the period to 2020 is €6.416 million.
As set out on the table at Appendix 1, a total of 16 project applications with a value of €1.25 million had been received by the Carlow LAG up to 9 March 2018. Of these, 11 projects with a value of €810,557 had been approved.
As has been the case with previous LEADER Programmes, there is a natural lead-in period required where the Local Action Groups conclude calls for proposals and work with potential applicants to develop and finalise funding proposals which will ultimately be delivered in each area.
Overall, 834 projects with a value of €23.6 million have been approved to date under the LEADER programme across all LAG areas. A further 243 projects, with a value of €14 million, are at various stages in the approvals process.
I anticipate that there will be a significant increase in project expenditure over the course of 2018 based on the progress which has been made by the LAGs in approving projects in recent months. My Department has also introduced a number of administrative improvements to the LEADER programme which will assist LAGs and project promoters in their delivery of the programme.
LEADER project applications and approvals in County Carlow on 9 March 2018.
|
Sub-Regional area |
LEADER 2014-2020 Allocation |
No of Applications Received |
Value of Applications Received |
No. of Approvals issued |
Value of Approvals |
Value Project Claims Paid |
|
Carlow |
€6,416,803 |
16 |
€1,250,131 |
11 |
€810,557 |
€50,000 |
912. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for CLÁR funding submitted by an association (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12202/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population and is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. Almost 900 projects have been approved for funding since I re-launched the CLÁR programme in the second half of 2016.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for funding under the 2017 CLÁR programme from the Association referred to by the Deputy. However, over 500 applications were received under the programme in 2017 and it was not possible to fund all of the proposals received. The application in question was not amongst those successful last year.
However, I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on 15 March 2018 and the Association may wish to re-apply under this year's scheme. Details of the scheme and application procedures have been provided to all relevant Local Authorities and can also be found on my Department's website at http://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/clar/.
913. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén uair atá sé i gceist aige cur le líon na mbealaí siúlóide a n-íoctar táille bhliantúil le feirmeoirí chun iad a chothabháil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [12321/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs í mo Roinnse a dhéanann riaracháin ar Scéim na Siúlóidí, scéim a éascaíonn forbairt agus cothabháil a dhéanamh ar go leor de na cosáin siúil in Éirinn. Is iad na sealbhóirí talún príomhrannpháirtithe na scéime sa tslí is go gcuireann siad cosáin siúil ardchaighdeán ar fáil agus trí iad a fhostú chun obair chothabhála a dhéanamh ar choda de na príomhshiúlóidí atá ag trasnú a gcuid talún. Faigheann sealbhóirí talún íocaíocht mheasartha ar an obair chothabhála a dhéantar, de réir pleananna oibre comhaontuithe.
Tá 39 cosán ag teacht faoin scéim faoi láthair agus íocaíochtaí déanta le tuairim is 1,900 sealbhóir talún chun na cosáin a chothabháil.
Tá rún agam i mbliana féachaint ar an gcaoi mar atá an scéim ag feidhmiú le breathnú ar an mbealach is fearr lena leathnú a shocrú. Beidh aon chinntí a dhéanfar maidir le siúlóidí nua a chur san áireamh sa scéim bunaithe air seo.
Beidh comhchomhairleoireacht shuntasach le sealbhóirí talún agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile i gceist ach bheadh súil agam, faoi dheireadh na bliana, go mbeadh dul chun cinn déanta maidir le siúlóidí tosaíochta eile a aithint a thiocfadh faoin scéim.
914. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the walkway scheme will be expanded to include farmers' properties in Gurteen, County Sligo to include the Beara Breifne Walkway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12520/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers the Walks Scheme which facilitates the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s walking trails. The scheme involves landholders as key participants in the provision of high quality walking trails, by contracting them to undertake maintenance work on sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken, in line with agreed work plans.
The scheme currently covers 39 trails, with payments made to approximately 1,900 landholders to maintain those trails.
I intend to look at the scheme’s operation this year in order to determine how best to expand the scheme. This exercise will inform any decisions to be made regarding new walks to be included in the scheme, including walks or parts of walks in Co. Sligo and all other counties.
Significant consultation will be required with both landholders and other stakeholders, but by the end of the year I would expect to see progress made on identifying a number of additional priority walks to be covered by the scheme.
915. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants available through his Department and Pobal to support community centres; if there are specific supports to pay for a manager for such centres; his plans to change the support provided to community centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12560/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding is available through my Department's Community Services Programme, CSP, and LEADER Programme to support the management and development of community centres respectively.
The CSP supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Such services include community owned or community managed buildings and facilities that are used for community benefit, including community centres. CSP funding is provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions, with €32,000 per anum provided for a manager and €19,033 per anum for each full-time equivalent position.
I have no plans to change the support provided to community centres in the short term. My immediate priority for the CSP is to ensure its smooth transfer to my Department and maintain the level of service for the 425 organisations funded under the programme. Thereafter, the intention is to monitor the programme's progress over the next six months and, working closely with Pobal, undertake a thorough review, to commence in early autumn 2018.
Capital funding may also be available under my Department's LEADER Programme to develop or renovate community centres. LEADER is delivered through Local Action Groups in 28 rural areas around the country. Applications for funding can be made directly to the relevant Local Action Groups. Contact details for all Local Action Groups are available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie/rural/development/leader.
916. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to LEADER programmes in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2017; the level of funding to be provided for these programmes in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12657/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020, with a total budget of €250 million over that period. €220 million of this funding has already been allocated to the Local Action Groups throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes which will be delivered at a national level.
Funding agreements for delivery of the LEADER Programme in the Cavan and Monaghan sub-regional areas were both signed on 8 July 2016. Funding of approximately €8.5 million was allocated to the Cavan sub-regional area and €7.6 million was allocated to the Monaghan sub-regional area. The allocation for each LEADER sub-regional area is provided for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the Local Action Groups in managing their resources.
Overall, 834 projects with a value of €23.6 million have been approved to date under the LEADER programme across all LAG areas. A further 243 projects, with a value of €14 million, are at various stages in the approvals process.
I anticipate that there will be a significant increase in project expenditure over the course of 2018 based on the progress which has been made by the LAGs in approving projects in recent months. My Department has also introduced a number of administrative improvements to the LEADER programme which will assist LAGs and project promoters in their delivery of the programme.
917. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a group (details supplied) can reapply for CSP funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12780/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme ,CSP, supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Around 425 organisations are supported under the CSP, with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
The organisation in question submitted a business plan to Pobal during 2016 as part of the normal CSP re-contracting process. The business plan did not meet the criteria for continued funding under the programme and the organisation was notified that it would exit the programme in 2018.
In the interim, and pending an appeal, funding was approved for a manager and two full-time equivalent staff for 18 months to June 2018. The organisation chose not to appeal the decision.
My Department and Pobal continues to accept expressions of interest under the CSP and I will consider, in light of available budgets, the possibility of opening the programme to additional new entrants during the year.
918. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an application by a group (details supplied) has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12781/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme, CSP, supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Around 425 community organisations are supported under the CSP, with funding provided as a contribution to the costs of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
The organisation in question submitted a business plan for consideration under the CSP in April 2017. This application was unsuccessful but the organisation was given an opportunity in Autumn 2017 to submit a revised business plan. This was received by Pobal in mid-December. My Department will make a decision on the application shortly.
919. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for the provision of a new public library in Stillorgan, County Dublin as included as a project in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12952/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the development of the proposed library in Stillorgan is primarily a matter for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
My Department funds a Libraries Capital Investment Programme, announced in 2016, that will invest some €22m in 16 or so projects, as well as the My Open Library service, over the period 2016 to 2021. The programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities. Stillorgan library was not submitted as a priority by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2016 and, therefore, could not be considered for funding under the programme.
In late 2017, my Department received a proposal from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown seeking funding for a new library in Stillorgan. While the current libraries capital programme is currently fully committed, funding for the new library could be considered were additional funds to become available.
920. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects mentioned in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 that come under his Department's remit or bodies under its aegis; and the estimated completion dates for each project in tabular form. [12996/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan has provided for a new €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to enable towns, villages and outlying rural areas to grow sustainably and support delivery of the strategic objectives of the National Planning Framework.
Funding of €315 million has been provided over the period 2019 to 2022, which will allow both further activity under existing initiatives as well as the introduction of new investment initiatives under the Fund to be supported during this period. There are no specific projects assigned to this Fund in the NDP; instead the Plan makes clear that allocations from the Fund will be made on a competitive bid based approach. I am currently consulting with my colleagues in Government on the development of this Fund and will make further announcements in due course.
921. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if endometriosis is recognised by her Department as a medical condition that may result in some form of disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12105/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEndometriosis (WHO ICD-10 code N80) is a gynaecological medical condition. It is recognised by this Department as a medical condition which may result in some form of disability. Medical suitability for a disability payment is determined by medical assessment.
922. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount which would be raised if employer PRSI was increased by 0.5%. [12858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra923. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount which would be raised if employee PRSI was increased by 0.5%. [12859/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 922 and 923 together.
The estimated amount of PRSI raised by increasing the employee and employer PRSI rates by 0.5% is provided in the following table:
|
Rate |
Estimated Full Year Yield |
|
Increase Employer Lower Rate by 0.5% |
€18.2m |
|
Increase Employer Higher Rate by 0.5% |
€341.6m |
|
Increase Employee Rate by 0.5% |
€343.2m |
These estimates are based on PRSI Class A contributors. They use the latest available data and reflect macro-economic indicators for 2018. It should be noted that the estimate does not take into account any possible changes in employer behaviour arising from changing rates of contribution.
924. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost to her Department of negative interest rates on deposits held; the details of same for agencies under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11736/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNegative interest arises from the necessary application by the Central Bank of Ireland of the policies and decisions of the European Central Bank (ECB). The ECB imposed negative interest rates on certain overnight deposits held with the Central Bank with effect from June 2014. This included SIF overnight balances in respect of PRSI receipts collected by the Revenue Commissioners (RC) and lodged to SIF Investment account in the Central Bank. With effect from 1 November 2016 Bank of Ireland (BOI) also imposed negative interest but at a lesser rate than the Central Bank. During 2017 BOI has increased its rate of negative interest and it now matches the ECB rate of -0.4% on all overnight bank balances including current accounts.
Overnight balances are required to prefund bank accounts to meet the Departments expenditure as it falls due in the subsequent days. In addition the SIF is self -financing and must maintain adequate daily reserves for prudent treasury management. Vote treasury on the other hand is funded by the Pay Master General (PMG) and therefore incurs a lesser charge for negative interest.
Funds surplus to SIF treasury requirements are transferred to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) via the Central Bank and do not incur negative interest.
In 2017 my Department was charged €1.725 million in negative interest in respect of moneys for which it is accountable; €1.603m relates to the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) and €122K relates to Vote 37 - Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. This charge relates to all of the Department’s bank accounts including current accounts.
The position for bodies under the aegis of the Department is set out in the following table:
|
Agency |
€ Value of Negative Interest Incurred in 2017 |
|
The Low Pay Commission |
Nil |
|
The Social Welfare Tribunal |
Nil |
|
Citizens Information Board |
Nil |
|
Pensions Council |
Nil |
|
Pensions Authority |
€5,386 |
925. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns from January 2017 to date in 2018, by year, month and company engaged in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11766/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is as set out in the following tables:
Public Awareness Campaigns 2017 (Amounts are exclusive of VAT)
|
Date |
Campaign Name |
Cost |
Social Media Spend |
Online |
Company Engaged |
|
March |
MyGovID |
€68,027 |
€6,500 |
€6,500 |
Engage Communications / MEC Ireland |
|
April |
Welfare Fraud |
€163,922 |
N/A |
€11,300 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
April |
Treatment Benefit Part 1 |
€87,714 |
€3,000 |
€19,000 |
Engage Communications / MEC Ireland |
|
July |
Back to School Clothing & Footwear |
€55,408 |
€4,000 |
NA |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
July |
Paternity Benefit |
€106,822 |
€5,000 |
€14,000 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Sep |
Jobsweek 2017 |
€3,147 |
€2,000 |
NA |
MEC Ireland |
|
Sep |
Fuel Allowance Part 1 |
€42,175 |
NA |
NA |
Creed / Language / MEC Ireland |
|
Oct |
Treatment Benefit Part 2 |
€78,886 |
€1,500 |
NA |
Engage Communications / MEC Ireland |
|
Nov |
Fuel Allowance Part 2 |
€52,913 |
NA |
NA |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Nov |
Invalidity Pension |
€75,139 |
NA |
€8,000 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Dec |
National Minimum Wage |
€46,497 |
NA |
€6,000 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Total |
€780,650 |
€22,000 |
€64,800 |
|
Public Awareness Campaigns 2017 (Amounts are exclusive of VAT) |
|||||
|
Date |
Campaign Name |
Cost |
Social Media Spend |
Online |
Company Engaged |
|
March |
MyGovID |
€68,027 |
€6,500 |
€6,500 |
Engage Communications / MEC Ireland |
|
April |
Welfare Fraud |
€163,922 |
N/A |
€11,300 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
April |
Treatment Benefit Part 1 |
€87,714 |
€3,000 |
€19,000 |
Engage Communications / MEC Ireland |
|
July |
Back to School Clothing & Footwear |
€55,408 |
€4,000 |
NA |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
July |
Paternity Benefit |
€106,822 |
€5,000 |
€14,000 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Sep |
Jobsweek 2017 |
€3,147 |
€2,000 |
NA |
MEC Ireland |
|
Sep |
Fuel Allowance Part 1 |
€42,175 |
NA |
NA |
Creed / Language / MEC Ireland |
|
Oct |
Treatment Benefit Part 2 |
€78,886 |
€1,500 |
NA |
Engage Communications / MEC Ireland |
|
Nov |
Fuel Allowance Part 2 |
€52,913 |
NA |
NA |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Nov |
Invalidity Pension |
€75,139 |
NA |
€8,000 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Dec |
National Minimum Wage |
€46,497 |
NA |
€6,000 |
Creed / MEC Ireland |
|
Total |
€780,650 |
€22,000 |
€64,800 |
||
|
Public Awareness Campaigns 2018 (Amounts are exclusive of VAT) |
|||||
|
Date |
Campaign Name |
Cost |
Social Media |
Online |
Company Engaged |
|
Jan |
Low Pay Commission |
€26,182 |
NA |
€3,000 |
MEC Ireland / Creed |
|
Jan |
Gender Recognition Act Consultation |
€9,264 |
NA |
NA |
MEC Ireland |
|
Mar |
Make Work Pay Consultation |
€15,612 (committed budget) |
NA |
NA |
MEC Ireland |
|
Mar |
Jobs Week 2018 |
€21,624 (committed budget) |
€2,500 |
NA |
MEC Ireland |
|
Total |
€72,682 |
€2,500 |
€3,000 |
||
|
Communications Advice 2017 (Amounts are inclusive of VAT) |
|||
|
Date |
Campaign Name |
Cost |
Company |
|
Aug |
Plain English Services |
€4,390 |
NALA |
|
Dec |
Communications Advice |
€3,690 |
Murray Consultants |
|
Feb |
Plain English Services |
2,070 |
NALA |
|
Total |
€10,150 |
926. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the situations in which training courses are funded (details supplied); the follow through that is done with the insurance sector that will not insure drivers with no experience; her plans to engage with the insurance industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11789/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Training Support Grant (TSG) funded by my Department is designed to facilitate quick access to short-term training that is identified to assist an individual jobseekers access immediate work opportunities. The scheme is activation focused and the jobseeker is required to provide reasonable evidence of need, in the form of a potential job offer or a requirement to maintain or achieve accreditation. HGV driver training courses are eligible for support under the TSG.
Access to the TSG scheme is arranged with the Department’s case officers and a jobseeker who wishes to access training under this scheme should contact their local Intreo Centre where the case officers are located.
The case officer will identify appropriate support interventions required with a customer, particularly where a job opportunity has been identified by the customer or where an intervention will enable an application for work to be made. The maximum fund available to jobseekers under the scheme is €500 per annum.
The issue of the provision and cost of insurance of HGV drivers should be directed to the relevant Minister/Department. It is not within the remit of my Department to engage with the insurance sector on the issue raised.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
927. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the Social Welfare Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017 will proceed to Committee Stage. [11806/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and I are currently finalising a number of additional provisions for inclusion at Committee Stage of the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017.
These provisions include important measures relating in particular to pensions and data protection. Subject to the additional provisions being finalised within the envisaged timescale, it is expected that the Bill will progress to Committee Stage in the coming months.
