Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2005
235 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will introduce some element of flexibility into the qualification criteria for the companion travel pass for persons who cannot travel alone and who are close to the qualifying age of 75; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5954/05]
View answerThe free travel companion pass scheme was introduced in 1990 for persons who qualify for free travel and who, on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone. Some of those who are eligible for a companion free travel pass include recipients of disability allowance or invalidity pension who are medically assessed as being unfit to travel unaccompanied; people who are blind or severely visually impaired; people who are confined to wheelchairs; people who are aged 75 years and over and who are medically certified as unfit to travel alone; and people who are receiving full-time care and attention from someone who is in receipt of a carer's allowance.
The companion pass enables a person 16 years of age, or over, to accompany the pass holder free of charge. The purpose of the companion pass scheme is to ensure that a person's entitlement to free travel is not diminished because a companion cannot afford to accompany them. Any further extension to the free travel scheme could only be considered in a budgetary context.
236 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if eligibility for the respite care grant will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5965/05]
View answerThe conditions for receipt of the extended respite care grant are set out in the Social Welfare Bill, which this week passed Second Stage and was referred to the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs. The following conditions will apply: the carer must be providing full-time care to a person who is in need of such care, as is the case with recipients of carer's allowance; a full-time carer must not be engaged in employment for more than ten hours per week; those who are on unemployment payments will be excluded since they are required to be available for and actively seeking full-time work. Full details of the conditions for receipt of the extended respite care grant will be set out in regulations and will be widely publicised in advance of the payment date.
237 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the maximum rent allowance will be approved in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if assistance will also be given on the up-front payment required. [5984/05]
View answerRent supplements are provided for through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The scheme is administered by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The southern region of the Health Service Executive has advised that, apart from an informal inquiry from the people concerned, it has no record of an application by them for rent supplement. If they wish to apply they should contact the community welfare officer at their local health centre for an assessment of their circumstances and eligibility.
238 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if rent allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if a decision in the case will be expedited. [5993/05]
View answerRent supplements are provided for through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The scheme is administered by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.
The southern region of the Health Service Executive has advised that it is awaiting the return of the appropriate application forms from the person concerned. As soon as she finds accommodation to rent and supplies the necessary information the executive will assess her eligibility for rent supplement.
239 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the fuel allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [6061/05]
View answerThe person concerned commenced employment under the rural social scheme, on 12 February 2005. That scheme is administered by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. It is a matter for that Department to decide on eligibility, as well as whether participants are entitled to any secondary benefits.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers who are statutorily appointed. I have no role in making such decisions.
240 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an application for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for the carer’s allowance will be reassessed. [6063/05]
View answerUnder the regulations governing carer's allowance, a person may participate in employment for a maximum of ten hours per week. Following the necessary investigations to determine his entitlement to the allowance, his application was refused on the grounds that he was employed in excess of the ten hours allowed each week.
My Department received a notice of an appeal in this case on 15 February 2005. The person submitted a letter from his employer stating that he now works six to eight hours per week. Based on this information a revised decision will be made. In this regard, he was requested to submit confirmation of the date from which he reduced the hours of his employment and details of his earnings. On receipt of the requested information, his claim will be reviewed.
Under social welfare legislation decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers who are statutorily appointed. I have no role in making such decisions.
