Tuesday, 22 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 609-628

CLÁR Programme

Ceisteanna (609)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

609. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects approved under CLÁR measures 1, 2, 3 and 4 since the programme was re-established on an annual basis by county; the number of projects that were not approved by county; the main reasons for refusal; if there is an appeal mechanism in place to appeal refusal decisions; the funding allocated for approved projects in each county under the CLÁR programme annually; and the final amount expended on approved projects annually to the end of 2018 in each county under CLÁR in tabular form. [3086/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

As the Deputy will be aware, CLÁR is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and focuses on areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. 

The programme was effectively closed for new applications in 2010.  However, I re-launched CLÁR in 2016, and, since then, more than 1,200 projects have benefited from funding of €25 million under the programme. The type of projects which have been funded include safety measures around schools and other community facilities, multi-use play areas, supports for voluntary first-response emergency organisations, targeted community infrastructure needs, and funding for vehicles to transport people to cancer care centres and other respite services. 

The table below updates the information provided in my response to the Deputy’s question of 4th December last. The 2017 figures provided in that response referred to the funding allocated in 2017 rather than the funding expended. The table summarises the number of projects approved, the number of unsuccessful projects, and the amounts paid out under the programme in each calendar year from 2016 to 2018, on a county basis. 

Details of the funding allocated to all approved projects in each county are available on my Department’s website at www.drcd.gov.ie/clar/.

There are various reasons why projects were not successful, which include:

- non-compliance with the scheme criteria,

- lack of match funding, and

- the level of demand exceeding the funding available. 

There is no formal appeals mechanism in place under the CLÁR programme, but my Department provides feedback in respect of unsuccessful applications on request.

CLÁR Programme – Summary of projects and payments by county 

County	No. of projects approved	No. of unsuccessful projects	Amount Paid	Amount Paid	Amount Paid
	2016-2018	2016-2018	2016	2017	2018
Carlow	33	3	€80,000	€97,864.20	€58,579.89
Cavan	60	20	€498,184	€295,030.10	€296,353.51
Clare	52	18	€284,000	€189,070.76	€468,638.17
Cork	67	71	€562,222	€61,582.31	€555,606.17
Donegal	106	73	€878,632	€228,864.20	€236,711.00
Galway	92	24	€392,000	€609,845.82	€346,621.50
Kerry	73	116	€744,964	€143,067.93	€384,759.13
Kilkenny	24	12	€223,000	€107,030.00	€212,465.00
Laois	43	17	€148,900	€39,208.00	€12,187.00
Leitrim	53	17	€274,800	€447,600.50	€189,302.54
Limerick	53	30	€235,000	€179,727.77	€137,660.00
Longford	44	19	€237,560	€141,896.65	€227,931.00
Louth	28	17	€173,520	€31,379.00	€188,481.96
Mayo	87	60	€976,869	€664,832.73	€628,607.36
Meath	22	7	€127,600	€104,000.00	€81,069.00
Monaghan	63	27	€356,440	€303,236.55	€368,862.20
Offaly	36	21	€123,398	€185,664.80	€259,638.23
Roscommon	57	23	€406,497	€260,177.48	€337,711.11
Sligo	73	21	€598,400	€299,712.60	€173,488.00
Tipperary	78	19	€371,000	€181,283.71	€357,111.69
Waterford	48	21	€261,600	€329,518.00	€286,925.00
Westmeath	37	27	€214,280	€57,549.00	€203,089.30
Wicklow	15	20	€70,000	€98,586.43	€28,395.00
National/regional organisations	27	16			€295,524.60
Totals	1,271	699	€8,238,866	€5,056,728.54	€6,861,229.71

Library Services Funding

Ceisteanna (610)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

610. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the levels of expenditure under the libraries capital programme annually in 2016 to 2018. [3087/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department funds a libraries capital programme that will invest some €29 million in 19 projects, and in the My Open Library service, between 2016 and 2022.  The programme has been developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities and is fully committed at this stage.

Two major developments have already been completed under the programme with Kevin Street library in Dublin and Athy library in County Kildare opening in 2018.  Moroever, two mobile libraries have been commissioned in Kerry and Wexford; a new schools library van has been funded in Tipperary; and equipment, furniture and fittings have been funded for 20 or so libraries to support the continued roll-out of My Open Library.

I expect local authorities to continue to make good progress in 2019.  To this end, I have secured an increased capital allocation of €6 million for the programme this year.  The allocation reflects increasing activity under the programme with, for example, construction on three major developments advancing significantly or completing this year, namely the libraries in Edgeworthstown (Longford), Ennis (Clare) and North Clondalkin (South Dublin).   

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (611)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

611. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated between current and capital expenditure in 2018 to schemes (details supplied); and the amount expended in each such scheme to the end of 2018, in tabular form. [3088/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The amount allocated to these specific schemes in 2018, and the expenditure incurred, is outlined in the table below. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Walks Scheme and CLÁR Programme each form part of the wider A.4 National Rural Development Schemes programme, and the allocations below this A.4 sub-head level are, therefore, indicative.  

These expenditure figures remain provisional until the publication of the audited 2018 appropriation account for my Department, which is expected in September 2019.

Scheme/Programme	2018 Current Allocation	2018 Current Expenditure	2018 Capital Allocation	2018 Capital Expenditure
Town and Village Renewal Scheme	--	--	15.00	12.75
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme	1.00	1.15	10.38	7.35
Walks Scheme	2.00	1.80
CLÁR Programme	--	--	5.00	6.87
Local Improvement Scheme	--	--	10.00	16.40
Community Enhancement Programme (and all measures under the RAPID subhead)	2.23	1.91	5.77	14.28

LEADER Programmes Expenditure

Ceisteanna (612)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

612. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of expenditure committed at the end of 2018 under the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme for each programme; the drawdown of such grant aid to date by each programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3091/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

LEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to 2020.  €220 million of this funding has been allocated to each of the individual Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver LEADER.  The remaining €30 million is allocated for thematic programmes delivered at a national level. 

Total expenditure on the LEADER programme since it commenced, effectively in 2016, until the end of 2018 amounted to approximately €37.6 million. This comprises:

- €1.5 million for costs incurred by the Local Action Groups to develop Local Development Strategies,

- €23 million for the administration costs of the LAGs and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects, and

- €13.1 million on project expenditure.      

The level of project activity under the LEADER programme increased significantly during 2018.  In total at the end of 2018, 1,626 projects had been approved by the LAGs for funding of over €55.3 million.  A further 349 project applications, requesting an additional €21.7 million, were at various stages in the approvals process. 

Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the number of projects approved by each Local Action Group, together with details of the project payments made to date.  Expenditure will increase in line with project approvals, as these projects are implemented and submit payment claims.

 Table 1: Total LEADER Approvals and Expenditure by LAG       

Local Action Group	No. of Projects Approved to 31 Dec 2018	Value of Projects Approved to 31 December 2018	Total Project Payments to 31 Dec 2018
Carlow	21	€1,197,148	€766,514
Cavan	36	€2,238,457	€398,960
Clare	106	€2,080,807	€460,913
Cork North	46	€1,925,272	€463,909
Cork South	20	€600,436	€208,113
Cork West	25	€995,778	€146,440
Donegal	103	€4,375,932	€1,728,046
Dublin Rural	43	€1,349,327	€376,806
Galway East	35	€1,461,140	€21,367
Galway West	23	€384,509	€102,284
Kerry	168	€3,221,379	€724,370
Kildare	18	€673,526	€57,827
Kilkenny	55	€1,498,732	€565,527
Laois	41	€941,706	€398,690
Leitrim	51	€1,819,686	€368,803
Limerick	71	€3,131,593	€480,115
Longford	40	€985,239	€51,398
Louth	53	€1,183,533	€212,238
Mayo	96	€3,969,786	€496,612
Meath	24	€966,042	€37,301
Monaghan	37	€2,145,727	€331,873
Offaly	93	€2,333,738	€951,892
Roscommon	36	€2,173,843	€198,518
Sligo	66	€2,306,081	€743,910
Tipperary	102	€3,082,112	€450,879
Waterford	48	€3,099,710	€1,595,104
Westmeath	45	€802,578	€254,216
Wexford	92	€3,418,623	€470,699
Wicklow	32	€951,045	€103,759
Grand   Total	1,626	€55,313,484	€13,167,083

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (613)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

613. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions he has had to date with his counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to the continuation of cross-border programmes post-Brexit, if such programmes that have been organised on a cross-border basis and that have made a major contribution to development in the Border region will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3092/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department is a designated Accountable Department for certain measures under the PEACE IV Programme.  My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has overall responsibility for both the PEACE and INTERREG programmes including discussions on the future of these programmes. 

That said, I can confirm the Government is committed to the successful implementation of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes and to successor programmes post-2020.  The Government's ambition for these programmes is reflected in the EU-UK Joint Report on Brexit in which the parties undertook to honour their commitments to the programmes under the current Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) and to examine possibilities for future support favourably.  This is matched by the European Commission's commitment to propose a continuation of the programmes in its proposal for the next MFF for the period 2021-2027. 

The draft Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK provides that UK involvement in current PEACE and INTERREG programmes will continue up to their normal completion.  Moroever, the Commission brought forward a proposal last month for a specific Regulation to enable both programmes to continue in the event of a no-deal scenario.  This proposal gives legal certainty to the programmes if there is no deal. 

Finally, I am very pleased that the Commissions proposals for the next round of Cohesion policy,  published last May, included a specific proposal for a special new PEACE PLUS programme to build on and continue the work of both PEACE and INTERREG in recent years. 

Invalidity Pension Applications

Ceisteanna (614)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

614. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied). [2536/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 25 October 2018.  Payment will issue to her nominated credit union account on 31 January 2019.  Any arrears due from 25 October 2018 to 30 January 2019 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue as soon as possible.  The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 17 January 2019.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Ceisteanna (615)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

615. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be awarded an extension of time on a SOLAS scheme due to age. [2310/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person in question is currently a participant on a Community Employment (CE) scheme in County Galway.

An overall lifetime limit of six years from 1 January, 2007 applies to CE participants.  The person in question was in receipt of Farm Assist prior to commencing his current period on CE in 2013 and he will have completed his life-time participation limit of six years on 19 April, 2019. In addition, he had been on CE for an additional 4 years and 10 months prior to 2007.

On completion of his term on CE, the person in question can apply for Jobseekers Benefit.  He will then be assisted through the activation process to work towards securing employment and achieving financial self-sufficiency.  This process also helps identify potential employment opportunities and offers support in overcoming any barriers to employment.

Alternatively he can apply for Jobseekers Allowance or Farm/Fish Assist.  If deemed eligible, it will then be open to him to apply for a place on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS).  To qualify for participation on the RSS, an individual must be actively farming, have a valid herd number/fishing licence and be in receipt of one of a number of specified social welfare payments including Jobseekers Allowance and Farm/Fish Assist.

My Department also understands that the person in question has also been self employed and engaged in farming.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (616)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

616. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an illness benefit payment will be finalised and issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2331/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Department administers the Illness Benefit scheme to those customers who cannot work because they are sick or ill provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is in payment and all arrears owing to her have been issued. The latest payment issued to this customers bank account on the 15th January 2019 that brought her payment up to date.

She is medically certified to the 4th June 2019.  

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.  

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (617)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

617. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the resources available to a family in homeless services that is in receipt of social welfare payments and have to drive their children to school each day (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2343/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Under the SWA Scheme a travel supplement is intended to assist with ongoing travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. 

It is open to the person concerned to submit an application for financial assistance to meet travel costs. 

The person concerned should phone [phone] to make an appointment to meet a Community Welfare Officer at the  Government Offices, The Murrough, Wicklow Town.

 I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (618)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

618. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an illness benefit application by a person (detail supplied) in County Kerry will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2359/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Occupational Injury Benefit claim from the person concerned has been processed and all arrears owing to him have issued.

The claim is both medically certified and up to the 11th January 2019.

If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (619)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

619. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2399/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on the 28th January 2019.  The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Ceisteanna (620)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

620. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a community employment scheme will be extended in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2462/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Requests for extending participants on Community Employment Schemes are only considered by this Department at the request of the Project Sponsor, which in this case is Ballymacelligott CE Co Ltd.

A request for an extension has not yet been made by the sponsor.

I trust this clarifies the matter. 

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Ceisteanna (621)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason an invalidity pension was not granted to a person (details supplied); if this decision will be reconsidered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2480/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

On receipt of additional medical evidence submitted in support of the appeal of the lady concerned, a review of the claim was carried out by a deciding officer and she has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 10 May 2018. 

Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 31 January 2019.  Arrears due from 10 May 2018 to 30 January 2019 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue as soon as possible.  The lady in question was notified of this decision on 17 January 2019.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (622)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

622. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2482/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Department administers the Illness Benefit scheme to those customers who cannot work because they are sick or ill provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned has been processed and any arrears due have been issued.

The claim is both is medically certified and paid up to date and to the 31st January 2019.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Ceisteanna (623)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

623. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2486/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned is currently a qualified adult on her partner's social welfare claim.  This means that her partner is currently in receipt of a payment for her.

The monetary difference between this payment and her illness benefit entitlement is being calculated and processed currently, and any arrears due to her will be paid as quickly as possible. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (624)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

624. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of employees in her Department; the number professionally qualified with organisations (details supplied); the number with other relevant professional qualifications; and the number with no professional qualifications in tabular form. [1887/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The staffing level in my Department as at the end of December 2018 was 6728 officers (6363 full-time equivalents).

A register of staff qualifications is maintained by this Department.  The number of staff who have informed the Department on acquiring a professional qualification with the following organisations or bodies to which you refer are as follows:

Professional Qualifications	Nos.
Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management	0
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply	0
Institute of Public Administration	258
Chartered Accountants Ireland	1
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants	3
Institute of Certified Public Accountants	4
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants	13

My Department is not in a position to provide details of those staff members who do not hold a professional qualification.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (625)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

625. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of employees in her Department authorised to engage in procurement; the number professionally qualified with organisations (details supplied); the number with other relevant professional qualifications; and the number with no professional qualifications in tabular form. [1904/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The procurement of supplies and services is essential to support the Department in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner. The Department is compliant with best practice in the procurement of supplies and services and all staff involved in procurement must adhere to comprehensive rules set out in the Department’s Procurement Policy and Procedures.

The Project Office in my Department is responsible for development and implementation of a project management framework and procurement policy.  It promotes best practice in project governance, project management and the procurement of goods and services.  It supports Project Managers and staff involved in procurement through the provision of advice, guidelines and templates which draw on best practice nationally and internationally.  It works closely with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to ensure that its policies, procedures and template are in accordance with up to date legislation and EU Directives.

The Project Office also maintains a contract database of all contracts awarded over €25k and in accordance with the provisions under the FOI publication scheme, publishes details of public contracts awarded (over €25k) on http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Procurement-Contracts-Awarded.aspx.

A voluntary register of staff qualifications is maintained by the Staff Development Unit in my Department.  The total number of qualifications recorded on the register is currently 2439 covering a variety of disciplines.  The following table sets out the number of staff recorded as having attained a professional qualification from the organisations requested by the Deputy. 

Professional Qualifications	Nos.
Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management	0
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply	0
Institute of Public Administration	258
Chartered Accountants Ireland	1
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants	3
Institute of Certified Public Accountants	4
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants	13

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (626)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

626. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a domiciliary care allowance appeal by a person (details suppled); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2493/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on the 29th November 2018 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (627)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

627. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2507/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 3 May 2018.

 On the basis of the evidence submitted the deciding officer in the case decided that the requirement for full-time care and attention was not satisfied.

 The person concerned was notified on 2 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

 They appealed this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of their appeal.  This additional evidence gave a more comprehensive description of the care requirements of the person being cared for, which indicated that full-time care and attention was required.

 Accordingly, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 16 January 2019 and first payment will issue to their nominated bank account on 24 January 2018. 

 Arrears of allowance due from 10 May 2018 to 23 January 2019 have also issued.

 The person concerned was notified on 16 January 2018 of this outcome, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

 I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Fuel Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (628)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

628. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for the fuel allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2508/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Free Fuel (FF) allowance is a means tested allowance, payable to people who either live alone or only with certain other qualified people.

Carers Allowance (CA) is a qualifying payment for receipt of FF allowance. However based on the information provided to the Department, the person concerned does not qualify for this allowance as their household also includes people who are not in a qualifying category.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.