Tuesday, 20 Jan 2015

Written Answers Nos. 169 - 187

Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís

Questions (173)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

173. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Taoisigh bunaithe ar an treoir a thug an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe do gach Roinn, cén líon post ina mbeidh, agus cé na gráid ag a mbeidh, státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla ag teastáil; an mó post acu sin, arna scagadh de réir gráid, a bhfuil duine iontu cheana féin ag a bhfuil an cumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge is gá do na poist sin; i gcás nach bhfuil treoir na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe á comhlíonadh, céard is cúis leis an mhoill agus cén uair a scrúdófar sin [2542/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Díríonn obair mo Roinne go príomha ar dhéileálacha leis an Rialtas agus le ranna agus gníomhaireachtaí eile rialtais. Mar thoradh air sin, ní thugaimid leibhéal mór éilimh faoi deara ón bpobal ar sheirbhísí i nGaeilge.

Thug roinnt comhaltaí foirne i mo Roinn le fios go bhfuil roinnt inniúlachta acu sa Ghaeilge agus tá siad inniúil go leor chun réimse seirbhísí a sholáthar i nGaeilge ar chéimeanna áirithe. As na comhaltaí seo, sannadh beirt oifigeach a bhfuil ardleibhéal inniúlachta acu chun seirbhísí a sholáthar don phobal i nGaeilge, agus is leor an líon oifigeach seo chun freastal ar an éileamh reatha.

Aithníonn mo Roinn an tábhacht a bhaineann le líon foirne a bheith ann a bhfuil líofacht acu sa Ghaeilge agus a bhfuil de chumas acu seirbhísí a sholáthar i nGaeilge. I gcomhréir le beartas an Rialtais, sonrófar i scéimeanna teanga amach anseo de chuid mo Roinne, faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, na poist ag a bhfuil riachtanas inniúlachta Gaeilge.

Economic Policy

Questions (174)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

174. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the progress towards implementation of the recommendations in the Government’s policy statement on economic regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2578/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Government Policy Statement on Sectoral Economic Regulation was published on 22 July 2013. Sectoral Ministers and their Departments have lead responsibility for the implementation of the actions as set out in the Statement. Progress on implementation is set out in the quarterly progress report of the Action Plan for Jobs. The latest version is available on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation website at http://www.djei.ie/enterprise/apj.htm.

Legislative Measures

Questions (175)

Micheál Martin

Question:

175. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [2581/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

No Bills have been initiated in my Department since September 2013.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (176, 177, 178)

Barry Cowen

Question:

176. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the number of secondments from his Department to external private firms from 2010 to 2014, inclusive, and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2582/15]

Barry Cowen

Question:

177. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the number of secondments based in his Department from external private firms from 2010 to 2014, inclusive, and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2583/15]

Barry Cowen

Question:

178. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach if his Department has a policy regarding secondments from and within his Department to external firms; when the policy was initiated and last updated; the details of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2584/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, together.

My Department participates in the Staff Exchange Scheme between the Civil Service and the Private Sector. This Scheme, managed by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, is designed to enhance communication, co-operation and understanding between the Civil Service and the Private Sector and to provide staff development opportunities for participants through new work experiences and project based assignments. It is also intended to enhance mutual understanding of the drivers of policy and to better inform the policy formulation process of the Civil Service.

The scheme is aimed at civil service staff in management roles (Higher Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Principal Officer and equivalents) and at executives in management positions in the private sector. The terms and conditions for such exchanges are set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 3/2013.

In November 2013, under this scheme, as part of a reciprocal arrangement, a member of staff at my Department took up a secondment in IBEC and a member of staff from IBEC took up a secondment in my Department. This secondment concluded in September 2014. My Department remains open to further such mutually beneficial arrangements under the Scheme. In addition, a member of staff was seconded to my Department from Zurich Insurance for the period of the Irish Presidency of the European Union in 2012.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (179)

Dara Calleary

Question:

179. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the amount of money paid by his Department to external consultants, professional companies or advisers in relation to the jobs action plan in each year since and including 2012; if he will provide in tabular form the list of those organisations that received money; his Department's procurement policy regarding this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2598/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department has paid no moneys to external consultants, professional companies or advisors in relation to the Action Plan for Jobs at any stage since the inception of the Action Plan for Jobs since 2012.

Public Inquiries

Questions (180)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the Departments that have had official responsibility for the organisation and administration of the various public inquiries ordered by Government over the past 20 years, with particular reference to the Department or Departments most likely to be affected by any financial liability on the Exchequer arising from such inquiries directly or indirectly including personal costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2749/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Each Government Department has responsibility in relation to any inquiry established under it and is, therefore, the Department most likely to be affected by any financial liability on the Exchequer.

The following inquiries/tribunals have been established under my Department:

- Tribunal of Inquiry (Dunnes Payments) (McCracken)

- Tribunal of Inquiry into payments to politicians and related matters (Moriarty)

- Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings (Barron)

- Commission of Investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 (MacEntee)

- Inquiry into reports of unlawful surveillance of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Cooke) (costs arising are being met by the Dept of Justice and Equality)

- Review of the Action taken by An Garda Síochána Pertaining to certain allegations made by Sergeant Maurice McCabe (Guerin)

- Commission of Investigation (certain matters relative to An Garda Síochána and other persons) (Fennelly).

Unemployment Levels

Questions (181)

James Bannon

Question:

181. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to deal with the high level of unemployment in County Longford; her views on the effect unemployment is having on the wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2619/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

In the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment in County Longford, as with the rest of the country, is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery, by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth.

However, the Government also recognises the need for additional measures to address unemployment in the interim while the economy recovers. This is the rationale behind the Government’s Pathways to Work Strategy, which is being led by the Department of Social Protection.

These policies have helped underpin the employment recovery that began, at the national level, in 2012.

The numbers on the live register in County Longford have fallen from a peak of 5,647 in August 2009 to 4,293 in December 2014. The reduction represents a fall of 24% over this period, as compared with a reduction of 19% in the national total. This indicates that the county has shared in the overall national recovery.

The Midlands-North Division of the Department is taking a proactive approach to activation and employer engagement. There are 7 Activation Case Officers based in Longford together with an Activation Support Team. The Activation Team in conjunction with Longford Chamber of Commerce hosted a breakfast briefing for employers in 2014 outlining and promoting supports and services available from the department to employers.

The Activation Unit in Longford works closely with other stakeholders including the Longford-Westmeath Educational Training Board to identify suitable training and educational opportunities for jobseekers in Longford.

A dedicated Employer Engagement Unit has been established within the Midlands-North Division and is working closely with employers. It is taking a proactive, hands-on approach to ensure that suitable people are matched to appropriate vacancies. The intention is that the Unit will become a first choice recruiter for all employers both large and small in the area.

In addition, my Department is currently in the process of evaluating tenders for JobPath, the Government’s new labour market activation service aimed specifically at the long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed. This will provide additional capacity for the Department’s employment services, enhancing efforts to address unemployment. JobPath will operate nationwide, including in County Longford.

Pensions Ombudsman Complaints

Questions (182)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

182. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a yearly breakdown from 2004 to 2014 of the number of complaints handled by the Pensions Ombudsman; the number of complaints successfully upheld in each year; the three most common types of complaints each year; the average timeframe for investigating complaints; the reason complaints lodged in 2013 are expected to take five years to investigate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2694/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Pensions Ombudsman has power to make determinations which are legally binding on parties to a complaint or dispute, subject to appeal to the High Court. However, a relatively small percentage of disputes are resolved in this way as the bulk are normally dealt with through mediation between the parties and the giving of general information and/or advice in the form of a report. The table below shows the number of cases for which detailed investigation files were opened each year since 2004 and the number resolved by each of these three methods.

The total gross number of complaints received is considerably higher than this table shows. Since 2010 (the first year from when full detailed figures are available) there has been a yearly average of 1,652 complaints received and 1,593 closed. Some complaints received (typically 18%) are outside the terms of reference of the Office or cannot be investigated for legal reasons. Following examination, these are either rejected or referred to other tribunals, as appropriate. Other reasons for closure include withdrawal of the complaint by the complainant, perhaps following a referral for internal dispute resolution.

The time taken to close a case can vary from a single day to several years. The factors influencing the time taken include the nature and complexity of the case itself; the number of parties involved (e.g., employer, trustees, administrators, financial services providers, Government Departments and agencies); the completeness and accuracy of the information given to the Office; the completeness and speed of response by those named in the complaint or dispute; the dependence or otherwise on other external processes; and the willingness or otherwise of parties to cooperate fully with the investigation. Completion times can range from a matter of days to a number of years, depending on those factors. Typically, mediated cases are closed in half the time taken by those which go to a formal determination, as the latter entail detailed and time-consuming reports. In 2013, 38% of cases were closed in less than five weeks, but 32% had taken more than a year. The office of the Pensions Ombudsman has no record of ever stating that a case submitted in 2013 would not be completed for five years. However, it is conceivable that the resolution of a dispute could depend on and must await the outcome of some other process such as a liquidation or receivership, outside the control of the Pensions Ombudsman.

Year	Cases on hand start of year	New cases	Closed in year	Determinations upheld	Determinations Not upheld	Mediations Favourable#	Mediations Unfavourable	Report/Advice info given
2004	112	297	122	7	16	22	11	4
2005	287	397	385	24	52	95	51	19
2006	291	439	307	32	29	88	29	62
2007	423	515	584	30	34	159	38	150
2008	354	727+31*	639	37	15	128	43	146
2009	473	616+20*	711	32	15	160	47	246
2010	398	558+31*	555	27	47	103	43	203
2011	432	485+49*	557	37	25	87	26	238
2012	409	601+36*	677	37	21	79	15	357
2013	369	463+45*	655	37	33	74	8	330
2014	222	Detail breakdown not yet available	Detail breakdown not yet available	Detail breakdown not yet available	Detail breakdown not yet available	Detail breakdown not yet available	Detail breakdown not yet available	Detail breakdown not yet available

*cases reopened following resubmission or completion of Internal Disputes Resolution

# Favourable means resulting in some advantage to complainant

Nature of complaints: 3 most common complaints, by year

2004: Post-retirement increases; membership/entry conditions; failure of scheme to respond.

2005: Non-remittance of contributions (mainly Construction Industry); Membership/entry conditions; post-retirement increases.

2006: Membership/entry conditions; Miscalculation of benefits; non-remittance of contributions.

2007: Miscalculation of benefits; membership/entry conditions; transfers.

2008: Miscalculation of benefits; non-remittance of contributions; failure to disclose information.

2009: Miscalculation of benefits; Loss of fund value; non-remittance of contributions.

2010: Non-remittance of contributions; Miscalculation of benefits; Loss of fund value.

2011: Miscalculation of benefits; non-remittance of contributions; Loss of fund value.

2012: Miscalculation of benefits; Transfers; non-remittance of contributions.

2013: Miscalculation of benefits; Loss of fund value; Cost of/credit for added years.

2014: Detailed breakdown not yet available.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (183)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an appeal of a decision on a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2224/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.

Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements have been made.

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

Question No. 184 withdrawn.

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Questions (185)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

185. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a farm assist appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2248/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence has disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the decision.

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

Question No. 186 withdrawn.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (187)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

187. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who works 20 hours per week or less and is not in receipt of any social protection payments cannot access funding to complete a security course, whereas if they were unemployed, they would be eligible for funding; her views that this is incentivising persons to continue in unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2265/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Given the scale of unemployment, the key objective of activation policy and labour market initiatives has been to offer assistance to those most in need of support in securing work and achieving financial self-sufficiency. Accordingly, the employment services and schemes provided by the Department – including some limited support for payment of fees on training courses – are focused, in the first instance, on the cohort of people who are unemployed and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. There are no plans to make changes to these arrangements at present.

These restrictions also apply to the payment of training allowances, by SOLAS, for unemployed people undertaking training courses provided by that organisation. Other categories of jobseeker may be eligible to undertake such courses, but will not be paid a training allowance (which is generally set at the same level as the trainee’s prior welfare payment).