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Tuesday, 26 Feb 2019

Written Answers Nos. 586-605

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (586)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

586. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the breakdown of funds received by her Department or channelled through her Department from EU funds in 2017; and the programmes these funds supported. [9565/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The PEACE IV Programme is an initiative of the European Union, managed in Northern Ireland by the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB, which is designed to support peace and reconciliation through youth work in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland.

The Programme is run primarily by SEUPB on behalf of the European Commission in conjunction with the Accountable Departments from both jurisdictions. These are the Department of the Economy in Northern Ireland and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in Ireland.

The Children and Young People programme under Peace IV targets those young people aged between 14-24 years who are disadvantaged, excluded or marginalised, have deep social and emotional needs, and are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, violence or dissident activity.

In total 85% of the Programme is provided through the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF. The remaining 15% is match-funded by the Irish Government and the NI Executive. The eligible area for the PEACE IV Programme for 2014-2020 is Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland, including Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo.

In 2017, my Department oversaw a total expenditure of €584,000 in respect of the PEACE IV Programme.

Childcare Services

Ceisteanna (587)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

587. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a matter in relation to community childcare services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9614/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Assisting families to access high quality, affordable early learning and care and school age childcare is a priority for me as Minister and hence I take these issues raised in your question very seriously.

My Department funds a number of early learning and care and school age childcare programmes. Given the large amount of public money that is used in funding these programmes, there needs to be an appropriate level of oversight and accountability. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs believes that our approach to compliance and supporting services strikes a necessary and appropriate balance. Our approach involves setting out the rules for the receipt of State funding, supporting providers to deliver services, and at the same time, the approach offers assurances to the taxpayer that the funding assigned is being spent as it was intended.

A high level of compliance with the rules of the various childcare schemes is vital to maintaining existing investment as well as ensuring future investment. It is a requirement that services operating the early learning and care and school age childcare programmes funded by my Department must be compliant with the "Rules for DCYA childcare funding programmes", the most recent of which was published on 9 August 2018. Compliance with these Rules is overseen by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Because subsidies for the early learning and care and school age childcare programmes are paid based on attendance, and not just enrolment, this is a vital governance component of the funding for which my Department is responsible.

I very much appreciate that community childcare settings, such as that referenced, provide a valuable service to children and families across the country. I also appreciate their stated concerns regarding their sustainability. Hence, significant support is available to them to bring their service onto a more sustainable footing, whilst being necessarily compliant with scheme rules.

My Department oversees an integrated Case Management system operated by Pobal through which a dedicated team assesses services facing challenges. This Case Management service provides non-financial assistance or support in the first instance. Financial supports are also available for services facing certain challenges which may also be accessed through Case Management following a financial assessment.

Results from Pobal compliance visits for the first part of the programme year 2018/2019 show serious issues in relation to non-compliance which needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I am encouraged however that most services have engaged constructively with the process so far. I would recommend all other services to get in contact with Pobal or their local City or County Childcare Committee if they need support or advice, or if they believe a sustainability issue arises.

I should also emphasise that as an FRC, some activities may be eligible for funding from elsewhere, rather than from childcare programmes per se, for example after school work related to literacy and numeracy may be eligible for funding under the Schools Completion Programme .

The existing targeted childcare schemes will be replaced later this year with the Affordable Childcare Scheme. In the coming weeks my Department will begin to roll out a major national information campaign in relation to how this new scheme will operate. A significant amount of time will be invested in working with services to ensure that they are ready for it. The new scheme will not have a snapshot window. Its attendance rules will seek to reflect the reality of children and parents' lives and the need for services to operate as businesses. The attendance rules will reflect a certain degree of flexibility whilst honouring the requirement to ensure that Exchequer funding is used for the purposes it was intended.

The Deputy will be aware that investment in childcare has increased by an unprecedented 117% over the last four budgets, now totalling €575 million per year. Community services access much of this growing investment. Turnover for many services has increased quite substantially - given that the number of servicers operating has increased only slightly - assisting services to review their business model to meet compliance requirements. The Affordable Childcare Scheme will mark another significant milestone for early learning and care and school age childcare in this country, creating an infrastructure from which Government can further increase investment in services over the next decade. This is in line with the commitment made in First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, I published last November.

Early Childhood Care and Education Data

Ceisteanna (588)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

588. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated proportion of children born in 2015 who are assumed to make use of the second year of the early childhood care and education scheme. [9622/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Early Childhood Care and Education, ECCE, programme is a universal programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It was first introduced in 2010 as a one-year programme to provide children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school.

In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, the ECCE Programme was extended in September 2018. Children are now eligible to enrol in this Programme once they are two years and eight months of age in the September of a given programme year and are eligible to avail of two years of the programme (provided that they are not older than five years and six months at the end of the programme year year). The proportion of children availing on this full entitlement is determined by a range of factors, including the child’s month of birth, parental choice with regard to school starting age and average uptake rates since the Programme was introduced, for example 95% for the one year programme.

Based on data on school starting age from the Department of Education and Skills that rate to the 2013 birth cohort, it is estimated that 75% of children born in 2015 will avail of two full years of the ECCE programme. This proportion vary according to the child's month of birth and the age at which they enrol in primary school. Information on this is provided in the table below.

ECCE programme

-

ECCE starting age

Cohort starting school at age 4

Cohort starting school at age 5

Proportion taking 2-year entitlement

Month of birth

Years

Months

%

No. of ECCE years

%

No. of ECCE years

January

3

7

77%

1

23%

2

23%

February

3

6

64%

1

36%

2

36%

March

3

5

51%

1

49%

2

49%

April

3

4

37%

1

63%

2

63%

May

3

3

22%

1

78%

2

78%

June

3

2

14%

1

86%

2

86%

July

3

1

10%

1

90%

2

90%

August

3

0

6%

1

94%

2

94%

September

2

11

100%

2

0%

2

95%*

October

2

10

100%

2

0%

2

95%*

November

2

9

100%

2

0%

2

95%*

December

2

8

100%

2

0%

2

95%*

Total

75%

* Based on average uptake rates since introduction of the Programme

Migrant Integration

Ceisteanna (589)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

589. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the review of the local community and economic plans; and if there is scope for migrant integration actions to be added to the plans in the context of the requirement of action 52 of the National Migrant Integration Strategy. [9706/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Proposals for a more joined-up approach to planning, oversight and management of local and community development are set out in Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government. Putting People First is the Government’s policy document on local government reform and development and provides for Local Community Development Committees, LCDCs, and new six-year Local Economic and Community Plans, LECPs, in all local authority areas. These proposals were given legal effect by the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

LECPs provide a framework for an integrated approach to economic, community and local development in their respective local authority areas, with the economic elements developed and implemented by local authorities and the community elements by LCDCs. LECPs were adopted in all areas by mid-2016.

A mid-term review of LECPs is due to commence in many areas in 2019. My Department will be engaging with the City and County Management Association in the coming weeks on how best to approach the review and to discuss options for a more in-depth revision of plans than originally envisioned. A more comprehensive approach may be appropriate given the significantly changed landscape since LCDCs and LECPs were introduced in 2014.

Whichever approach is agreed, local authorities will be advised to consider inter alia how best to incorporate priorities emerging from policies, strategies and plans developed since LECPs were first adopted. For example, LCDCs and local authorities would be expected to consider the scope for incorporating Sustainable Development Goals, climate action initiatives and other sectoral priorities, including migrant integration actions, into their revised LECPs.

My Department is already engaging proactively with other relevant Departments and agencies in this regard, including with the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to migrant integration priorities.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Ceisteanna (590, 596)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

590. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to increase the funding allocation to the 12 volunteer centres that are funded below the minimum figure identified in the McLaughlin report; the expected timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9089/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

596. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to increase the funding allocation to 12 volunteer centres that are funded below the minimum figure identified in the McLaughlin report; the expected timeline for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9710/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 596 together.

My Department's community and voluntary supports and programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. €3.5 million is being provided in 2019 under this programme to support 21 volunteer centres, eight volunteering information services and a number of volunteer-supporting organisations, such as Volunteer Ireland.

Following the publication of the 2017 Dermot McLaughlin report "Developing Funding Criteria for Volunteer Centres in Ireland", my Department secured additional funding of €300,000 which was allocated to all Volunteer Centres in 2017 on a proportionate basis. This increased funding level was maintained in 2018 and 2019.

The Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2018 included the provision of €1.2 million to upgrade the eight Volunteer Information Services to full Volunteer Centres in order to provide a consistent level of volunteering service nationwide. My Department is currently engaging with stakeholders in the roll-out of this initiative. As part of this exercise, my Department is also examining options with regard to a number of existing Volunteer Centres which are currently receiving less funding than the minimum amount recommended in the McLaughlin report.

My Department is also currently collating information received from a recent call for input exercise that was designed as a first step towards developing a draft national volunteering strategy. Among the topics under consideration in this context is the issue of volunteering support infrastructure and how best this can be structured to support volunteering.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (591)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

591. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of conferences staff of his Department have attended in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the number of staff that attended each conference; the cost of same in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9175/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The table below details the number of conferences staff, of my Department, have attended, where a cost was incurred, in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019.

Year

Number of conferences attended

Number of staff that attended

Registration Cost€

Other Costs €

Totals 2017

6

2

€0

€776.20

Totals 2018

15

10

€635.00

€2528.78

Totals 2019

1

1

€0

€72.00

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (592)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

592. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent in advertising or sponsorship in respect of conferences external and internal, respectively in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, by conference; the aggregate amount for each year; the amount available in the remainder of 2019 to fund same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9192/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The table below outlines the amount spent in respect of conferences by my Department in the period referred to by the Deputy.

Year

Conferences Funded by Department of Rural and Community Development

Department PartiallyFunded Conference

Department Fully FundedConference

Amount spent in advertising internal

Amount spent in advertising external

Amount spent in sponsorship external

Totals for year

2017

Public Participation Networks Annual Conference held in Sligo.

€8,000

NIL

NIL

NIL

2017 Total

€8,000

2018

Public Participation Networks Annual Conference held in Athlone.

€17,720

NIL

NIL

NIL

2018

Irish Upland Forum Conference

€5,000

2018

Rural Conversations

€7,000

NIL

NIL

2018 Total

€29,720

2019 to date

NIL

NIL

NIL

Nil

2019 Total

2019 Planned expenditure

Public Participation Networks Annual Conference to be held in Carlow.

€20,000

NIL

NIL

NIL

€20,000

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (593)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

593. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff in his Department that attended a summit (details supplied) in Dublin in 2017 and 2018, respectively; the cost to his Department or agency under the remit of his Department; if his Department or an agency under the remit of his Department undertook advertising or sponsorship in respect of the summit; the cost in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9209/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department was established on 19 July 2017. I can confirm that no officials from my Department attended the summit in question in 2017 or 2018.

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Ceisteanna (594)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

594. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications for funding under a scheme (details supplied) by county; the amounts that have been approved in respect of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9295/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September. €1 billion is committed to the fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. €315 million is allocated to the fund for 2019-2022.

There was an excellent response from all across the country, with 280 applications received. Some126 applications related to Category 1, "shovel ready" projects while 154 related to Category 2 projects - those which needed development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications.

Table 1 below sets out the number of applications received by Category and County.

In November 2018, I announced the first set of 18 successful Category 1 projects, providing €24.4 million in funding for projects with an overall value of €34.6 million. In February 2019, I announced another 20 successful Category 1 projects and 46 Category 2 projects which will benefit from support from the fund of €62 million, with a total project value of €83 million. Overall, this first call from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will provide €86 million in support for projects worth €117 million.

Lists of the successful projects under Category 1 and Category 2, broken down by county and the amount of funding approved for each project, are set out in Tables 2 and 3.

Table 1: Breakdown of applications received by Category and County

Counties

Category 1 Applications per County

Category 2 Applications per County

Overall Applications per County

Carlow

1

5

6

Cavan

2

3

5

Clare

13

10

23

Cork

17

49

66

Donegal

8

4

12

Dublin

0

1

1

Galway

9

5

14

Kerry

7

7

14

Kildare

4

9

13

Kilkenny

4

5

9

Laois

4

1

5

Leitrim

2

3

5

Limerick

13

5

18

Longford

2

1

3

Louth

2

2

4

Mayo

7

6

13

Meath

2

6

8

Monaghan

5

4

9

Offaly

1

4

5

Roscommon

4

1

5

Sligo

3

2

5

Tipperary

3

3

6

Waterford

1

4

5

Westmeath

1

2

3

Wexford

5

6

11

Wicklow

1

2

3

Multiple Locations

5

4

9

Totals

126

154

280

Table 2. List of Successful Category 1 Projects

County

Lead Applicant

Location

Total RRDF Funding

Carlow

Carlow County Council

Borris

€654,820

Cavan

Cavan County Council

Cootehill

€867,174

Clare

Clare County Council

Kilrush

€1,720,000

Clare

Clare County Council

Loop Head Lighthouse

€868,500

Clare

Clare County Council

Lahinch

€2,860,000

Clare

Clare County Council

Ennistymon

€1,023,300

Clare; Donegal; Galway; Kerry; Mayo; Wicklow

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

National Parks (multiple)

€3,915,000

Cork

IRD Duhallow CLG

Banteer

€1,128,000

Cork

Cork County Council

Kinsale

€2,175,000

Donegal

Donegal County Council

Swan Park, Buncrana

€1,728,042

Donegal

Udaras na Gaeltachta

Doiri Beaga

€1,500,000

Donegal/Sligo/Mayo/Roscommon

Western Development Commission

Multiple

€644,734

Galway

Galway County Council

Athenry

€3,554,000

Galway

Western Development Commission

Tullycross, Renvyle

€1,728,000

Galway

Údarás na Gaeltachta

An Spidéal

€548,887

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Valentia Island

€1,270,000

Kildare

Kildare County Council

Emily Square, Athy

€2,707,500

Kilkenny

Kilkenny County Council

Thomastown

€2,080,486

Kilkenny

Kilkenny County Council

Callan Town

€561,750

Laois

Office of Public Works

Emo, Emo Court

€1,200,000

Limerick

Limerick City and County Council

Abbeyfeale, Newcastlewest, Rathkeale, Ardagh

€2,724,657

Limerick

Ballyhoura Development CLG

Glenbrohane

€626,369

Limerick

Ballyhoura Development CLG

Murroe

€3,816,450

Limerick, Cork, Sligo, Dublin,Wicklow, Offaly, Laois

Coillte

Ballyhoura, Coolaney, Ticknock/Ballinastoe/ Slieve Blooms

€10,262,900

Longford

Longford County Council

Edgeworthstown

€1,269,019

Longford

Longford County Council

Granard

€2,872,434

Louth

Louth County Council

Ardee Castle

€2,147,000

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Ballinrobe

€825,000

Mayo

Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG

Claremorris

€2,100,000

Mayo

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Béal a' Mhuirthead

€795,062

Monaghan

Monaghan County Council

Castleblaney

€2,138,560

Roscommon

Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd

Ballaghdarreen

€1,656,750

Roscommon

Roscommon County Council

Boyle Town

€1,705,705

Roscommon

Roscommon County Council

Castlerea

€1,545,000

Sligo

Sligo County Council

Yeats Trail

€500,000

Sligo

Sligo County Council

Strandhill

€615,752

Tipperary

Tipperary County Council

Tipperary Town

€600,000

Wexford

TEAGASC

Johnstown Castle

€658,696

Table 3. List of Successful Category 2 Projects

County

Lead Applicant

Location

RRDF Funding

Carlow

OPW

Ballon

€450,000

Cavan

Cavan County Council

Ballyjamesduff

€90,000

Cavan

Cavan County Council

Cootehill

€56,000

Clare

Clare County Council

Doolin

€465,571

Clare

Clare County Council

Inis Cealtra

€920,500

Clare/Kerry

Fáilte Ireland

Multiple

€666,300

Cork

Cork County Council

Cork County

€206,168

Cork

OPW

Annes Grove

€375,000

Cork

Cork County Council

Ballydesmond

€56,250

Cork

Udaras na Gaeltachta

Baile Bhuirne/Colaiste Iosagain

€180,000

Cork

Avondhu Blackwater partnership CLG

Rathormac

€122,025

Donegal

Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Killybegs

€293,436

Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Wicklow

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht - NPWS

Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Wicklow

€1,466,250

Galway

Galway County Council

Kinvara

€124,781

Galway

Galway County Council

Dunmore

€960,909

Galway

Galway County Council

Tuam

€175,000

Kerry

Udaras na Gaeltachta

Baile na Fheirtéaraigh

€292,500

Kerry

Udaras na Gaeltachta

Dingle Workhouse

€415,000

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Kenmare

€275,000

Kerry

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Gaeltacht Uibh Rathaigh/Iveragh Taskforce

€174,352

Kildare

Kildare County Council

Athy

€80,000

Kildare

Kildare County Council

Monasterevin

€78,000

Kilkenny

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership

Kilkenny

€60,000

Leitrim

Leitrim County Council

Mohill

€37,500

Limerick

Limerick City and County Council

Newcastle West

€330,000

Louth

Louth County Council

Ardee

€526,744

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Multi Location

€75,000

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Westport and Cong

€56,000

Mayo, Galway

Geological Survey Ireland

Multi Location

€969,387

Meath

Meath County Council

Kells

€210,000

Meath

Meath County Council

Boyne Navigation and Greenway

€845,250

Meath

Meath County Council

Enfield

€726,000

Meath

OPW

Trim

€262,500

Monaghan

Waterways Ireland

State Agency

€325,000

Monaghan

Monaghan County Council

Clones

€377,250

Monaghan

Monaghan County Council

Ballybay

€410,400

Monaghan

Monaghan County Council

Carrickmacross

€632,000

Offaly

Offaly County Council

Edenderry

€75,000

Roscommon

Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd

Ballaghdarreen

€20,250

Sligo

Sligo County Council

Enniscrone

€131,250

Waterford

Waterford Leader Partnership

Blackwater Valley

€128,842

Westmeath

Westmeath County Council

Kinnegad

€600,000

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Gorey

€95,224

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Ferrycarraig and the Hook Peninsuala

€1,087,340

Wexford

Wexford County Council

New Ross

€328,407

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Gorey

€429,145

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (595)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

595. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of funds received by his Department or channelled through his Department from EU funds in 2017; and the programmes these funds supported. [9577/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that in 2017, my Department received a total of €3,119,602.27 in EU co-funding in respect of claims submitted to the European Commission for LEADER related expenditure.

The 2014 -2020 LEADER Programme is co-funded at a rate of 62.8% by the EU under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The amounts drawn down cover the period from April 2016 to June 2017 and are, in the main, related to administration costs of the Local Action Groups, LAGs, and costs associated with their engagement with communities to generate projects, together with expenditure incurred on projects.

In 2017, under the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, Peace IV, no funding was received from the European Commission, as the programme was only commencing. However, I can confirm that in 2017, a total of €958,780 was channelled through the Department to the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB, for programme activity.

Question No. 596 answered with Question No. 590.

Social Insurance Rates

Ceisteanna (597)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

597. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position in relation to a teacher in circumstances (details supplied); if such persons who commenced in 1991 are not allowed to change their PRSI contributions and opt for a class A contribution; if so, if the person was to resign their post before 56 years of age and move to the private sector by which they would be compelled to pay a class A contribution would this then qualify them for a percentage of their current pension and the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9708/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Prior to 6 April 1995 civil and public servants were insurable under the PRSI system as modified rate contributors. This meant that they and their employers paid a lower rate of PRSI and, as such, were insurable for a limited range of social welfare benefits. Currently Class D contributors are insured for widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, Occupational injuries benefits, carer's benefit and guardian's payment (contributory).

Civil and public servants appointed since 6 April 1995 are insurable at Class A. They and their employers pay a higher rate of PRSI and they are eligible for all social welfare benefits. It is not possible for modified rate contributors to opt to pay the full Class A contribution.

In general, teachers retiring with only a PRSI Class D contribution paid receive a pension benefit from the Department of Education and Skills based on pensionable service and this is called an uncoordinated pension.

Teachers retiring with only a PRSI Class A paid receive a pension benefit from the Department of Education & Skills based on their retirement salary up to a threshold of 3.33 times the single rate of the State contributory pension. This is called a co-ordinated pension. Teachers who pay Class A PRSI contributions do not receive separate State and occupational pensions based on those same contributions.

It is also possible for a teacher to have at the time of their retirement a mixture of both PRSI classes of A and of D. This is called a "split pension“.

The State pension (contributory) is a pension paid to people who reach state pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028). Since its introduction in 1961, entitlements have been based on a Yearly Average calculation, where the number of reckonable weekly PRSI contributions are divided by the number of years between entering social insurance and state pension age. Provisions also exist for the award of a mixed insurance pro rata state pension, where a person has substantial periods of PRSI coverage that are not reckonable for pension purposes. Whether or not such a pro-rata pension is more advantageous to a person with significant Class D contributions will depend upon their individual circumstances.

The Government intends to change the calculation method used for the State Pension (Contributory) by introducing a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to establishing the level of entitlement for all new state pension contributory claims from 2020 onwards (TCA2020).

I launched a public consultation on the design of the full TCA to be introduced from 2020 on the 28 May last year to which a wide variety of stakeholder groups were invited. A number of workshops were also held on the day to elicit views and feedback. All Oireachtas members were invited to a detailed briefing in Leinster House by my officials shortly afterwards. The consultation was open for over 3 months and the Department received almost 300 responses from individuals and organisations including open written submissions. Those submissions outlined the views of respondents on a number of issues, including the number of years required for a full pension, as intended as part of the consultation process. An analysis of the views expressed in this consultation was recently submitted to me. When I have considered this analysis, I will bring a proposal for the full design of a Total Contributions Approach to Government for its consideration.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Appeals

Ceisteanna (598)

James Lawless

Ceist:

598. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for the State pension (non-contributory) by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9105/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

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.

Illness Benefit Applications

Ceisteanna (599)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

599. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) has been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9133/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Illness Benefit application from the person concerned has not been refused, rather, she has been awarded Illness Benefit from 25 January 2019 at a rate of €127.80 per week. The person concerned was in receipt of a Jobseeker's Allowance payment until 24 January 2019.

The person concerned has been paid up to date and she is medically certified until 28 February 2019.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Ceisteanna (600)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

600. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision to issue a pension to community employment supervisors in line with the Labour Relations Commission, LRC, recommendations will be reviewed. [9145/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am acutely aware of the valuable and dedicated service that Community Employment, CE, sponsor organisations provide in running CE Schemes all over the country. CE supervisors, as employees of these organisations, are an integral part of that good work.

However, it is important to emphasise the fact that CE scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. They are not employees of my Department or public servants, and as such were not subject to pay reductions, pension contributions or the Pension-related Deduction, PRD, under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest, FEMPI, which only applied to public servants.

The State is not responsible for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where the companies in question are reliant on State funding. Pension arrangements are a matter to be agreed between employees and their employers. All employers, including CE sponsoring organisations, are legally obliged to offer access to at least one Standard Personal Retirement Savings Account, PRSA, under the Pension (Amendment) Act 2002.

The issue was examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A number of Departments including my own Department were represented on this group, as were the unions and Pobal.

Exchequer funded pension entitlements for CE supervisors presents very significant issues for the Exchequer. These supervisors comprise just one small group within the wider Community and Voluntary sector. Nevertheless, on foot of the Labour Court recommendation, a detailed scoping exercise was carried out with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, IGEES, on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland. This exercise estimated a potential cost to the State of between €188 million per annum and €347 million depending on the numbers involved, which is hard to establish. This excludes any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.

CE supervisors may qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) if they have accrued sufficient PRSI contributions. The State Pension (Contributory) is not means-tested. This pension has a maximum personal rate payable of €12,695 per annum, increasing to €12,956 in March 2019.

Social Welfare Appeals

Ceisteanna (601)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

601. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; the status of this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9159/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 September 2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 28 January 2019 and the case will now be referred 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.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (602)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

602. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of conferences staff of her Department have attended in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the number of staff that attended each conference; the cost of same in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9168/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have outlined below my Department’s record of staff attendances at conferences in the period 2017- 2019, supporting staff engaged in areas of key business importance including audit, communications, data protection, FOI, governance, health and safety, human resources, IT and digital services, pensions and procurement.

Staff attendances at Conferences

Year

2017

2018

2019

Cost €

33028

28045

5291

Number of Conferences

40

31

4

Number of Attendees

98

76

7

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (603)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

603. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent in advertising or sponsorship in respect of conferences external and internal, respectively in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, by conference; the aggregate amount for each year; the amount available in the remainder of 2019 to fund same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9185/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has not incurred any expenditure on advertising or sponsorship in respect of conferences for the period 2017 to 2019. There is currently no specific allocation for this type of expenditure in 2019.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (604)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

604. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff in her Department that attended a summit (details supplied) in Dublin in 2017 and 2018, respectively; the cost to her Department or agency under the remit of her Department; if her Department or an agency under the remit of her Department undertook advertising or sponsorship in respect of the summit; the cost in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9202/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

No staff from my Department attended the event mentioned in your parliamentary question during the period in question, nor were any costs incurred by my Department in relation to advertising or sponsorship of the event during that period.

The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Low Pay Commission and the Social Welfare Tribunal. No staff from these bodies attended the event during the period in question, nor were any costs in relation to advertising or sponsorship incurred by any of these bodies on the event.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (605)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

605. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [9233/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for domiciliary care allowance, DCA, was received from this lady on 11 January 2019. Applications received in early December 2018 are currently being finalized. The application will be considered by a deciding officer and the decision notified to her as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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