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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

41 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the total number of persons who have received the widowed parent grant in each year since its inception; the efforts made by his Department to inform people about this grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6312/02]

The grant was introduced in April 2000 for widows and widowers with dependent children, who became widowed on or after 1 December 1999. Entitlement to the grant is contingent on their being in receipt of or entitled to any of the payments which are specifically provided by my Department for widows and widowers.

In processing applications for these payments, in cases where the widow or widower has qualified children, payment of the grant is issued automatically by cheque to the survivor, once the death is notified, without the need to make a formal application for the grant.

Notwithstanding this proactive approach, in order to ensure that take-up of the grant has been maximised, my Department is at present attempting to identify any widows or widowers with qualified children who may not have received payment of the grant in this way. If any case is identified, their entitlement to the grant will be processed without delay.

Since introducing the grant in April 2000, my Department has made a total of 2,150 payments of which 862 payments were made in 2000, 1,208 payments in 2001 and 80 payments have issued to date in 2002.

Since the scheme's inception in April 2000, my Department has spared no effort in publicising its availability. It has had significant coverage in the media through press releases and information leaflets and application forms are available from my Department's network of local social welfare offices. My Department also has an Internet site on which information is readily available. It can be accessed at www.welfare.ie.

Also, social welfare information is provided on RTE's teletext information system, Aertel. The pensions services office in Sligo communicates regularly with funeral directors nationwide with the objective of creating greater awareness of all bereavement payments and from time to time provide information updates to them.

Comhairle, which is funded by my Department, also provides an extensive network of citizen information centres. They complement and enhance the information services provided at local level by my Department.

Given all of the initiatives and measures that have taken place to date, I am satisfied that my Department has made all possible efforts to ensure that people are fully informed concerning their entitlement to the widowed parent grant.

Derek McDowell

Question:

42 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the recent call made by the National Women's Council for the introduction of a social insurance payment for parental leave at the rate of maternity benefit payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6606/02]

The possibility of introducing a payment for periods of parental leave, including the question of whether such a payment should be made by employers or in the form of a social welfare payment, has been examined by the working group established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to review the operation of the Parental Leave Act, 1998.

This working group, which is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, comprises representatives from each of the pillars of social partnership, together with representatives of relevant Government Departments and agencies, including my own Department. The National Women's Council of Ireland is representing the community and voluntary pillar on this working group. The working group has completed its deliberations and its report has recently been finalised. It is expected that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will publish this report shortly.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

43 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when parents will receive the increased child benefit payment in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6427/02]

Increases in child benefit have been paid in September for a number of years. Last year, however, the Government brought forward the increases to June and this year the increases announced in the budget will be effective from April.

The rates of child benefit payments have also been radically improved. When we came to office in 1997, the level of child benefit was €38.09, IR£30, for each of the first two children and €49.52, IR£39, for each of the subsequent children. Last year, we announced the most substantial increases in child benefit in the history of the scheme, namely €31.74, IR£25, per month for the first two children and €38.09, IR£30, for subsequent children. This year, I am happy to say that similar increases are being provided again. The rates of payment from April 2002 will be €117.60 for the first two children and €147.30 for subsequent children.

The majority of child benefit payments are made by means of books of payable orders which run from June to May and current books contain orders at the existing rates. The new books which will be issued from June next will contain orders at the increased rates. The increase for April and May will be paid separately and May is the earliest date from which it is administratively possible to pay it. A special voucher in respect of the increase will be issued to post offices for encashment when customers collect their monthly pay ment due on 7 May. Those who are paid by direct credit to bank accounts will receive their increase at the same time by way of payments to the accounts nominated by them.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

44 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the average waiting time involved in processing child benefit claims; and if he will make a statement on the recent industrial dispute at the Letterkenny office of his Department. [6302/02]

Industrial action taken by clerical staff in this office commenced on 4 October 2001. The action was suspended on 21 December 2001 and detailed settlement proposals have since been accepted by the staff concerned.

The processing of child benefit claims has been adversely affected by a backlog of work which arose during the dispute. In addition, the volume of inquiries currently being received is significantly higher than normal and is affecting the ability to clear the backlog and to achieve satisfactory performance levels in service delivery to the families concerned. In addition, it is not possible to provide an adequate and speedy response to those inquiries.

At this time, it is taking six weeks to process claims from new families, three weeks for claims from families claiming for an additional child and an average of six weeks to deal with other requests for changes to existing claims.

A number of measures is being put in place to address the situation. The priority is to bring the backlog of claims to an acceptable level by mid-March and my Department is confident that the measures now being put in place will achieve this. My Department's business plan states that the aim is to clear 90% of all child benefit claims within one week. I regret any inconvenience to claimants arising from this temporary deterioration in service.

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