19 OCTOBER 2010

Dáil Debates

• Adjournment Debate: Ratification of UN Convention

Parliamentary Questions

• Breakdown of CE workers by social welfare payment

DÁIL DEBATES

• Adjournment Debate: Ratification of UN Convention

Deputy P. J. Sheehan (FG): This is the third time I have raised this question in the House. When will the Government ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to combat discrimination against those with mental health problems? I want a definite answer from the Taoiseach today.

The Taoiseach: I have answered this on a number of occasions. It is on the record of the House.

Deputy P. J. Sheehan: No date was given.

The Taoiseach:  I will explain the situation to the Deputy. Ireland is one of the first countries to have signed that convention, subject to ratification. There will be no undue delay in providing for ratification and it is the Government’s intention to do so as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary requirements under the convention are being met.Ireland holds to the common law tradition of not ratifying treaties until it considers that domestic law in general is in conformity with the treaty. Therefore, although Ireland has not yet ratified it this does not mean progress is not being made in meeting the requirements of the convention. It means that when we do ratify, the process of implementing the provisions of the convention will be enhanced. A number of other countries have decided to ratify first and then deal with the implications for legislation and policies which could prove to be problematic for them in time regarding the implementation of the convention.In many respects, the national disability strategy comprehends many of the provisions of the convention. A group has developed a programme on which work is progressing to address the matters that need to be aligned with the convention. One of the key requirements prior to ratification of this convention is the mental capacity Bill which, as the Deputy knows, is due to be introduced to the House. The detailed provisions of the Bill are at an advanced stage of drafting and it is expected that it will be published in the current Dáil session. Work on what is involved by way of implementation of the various other provisions in the convention - which are extensive - continues in the relevant Departments.

Deputy P. J. Sheehan: I would appreciate if the Taoiseach would give me in a written reply what he has just outlined to the Dáil on the matter.

An Ceann Comhairle: That might be a good way-----

The Taoiseach: It is on the record of the House. 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

• Breakdown of CE workers by social welfare payment

Deputy Róisín Shortall (L): asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of community employment workers by the principal social welfare payment being previously claimed and the number of these CE participants who were claiming a reduced rate payment because of means or other reasons.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey): There are currently 6,346 participants listed as having previously been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JA) as at 13th October, 2010, and 4,458 previously in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit (which is not means-tested). All lone parents and persons with disabilities participating on CE retain all or part of their social welfare payment simultaneously to their CE payment.

FAS does not record the level of social welfare payment previously paid to CE participants, however, it is the case that for example, if a participant only received €100 per week on JA, the minimum they would receive on CE would be €216 per week. If they were receiving the full €196 JA per week, they would also receive €216 per week via FÁS funding. In both cases the FÁS system will show €216 per week.

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