Finian McGrath
Question:477 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons with an intellectual disability are being asked inappropriate questions at interviews for carer’s allowance [18313/12]
View answerWednesday, 18 April 2012
Questions (471, 472, 473)
Finian McGrath
Question:557 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason staff are asking inappropriate questions to persons with intellectual disabilities at the family interviews on carer’s allowance; and the kind of questions that normally require answering. [18309/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 477 and 557 together.
Carer's Allowance is a means-tested payment for people who provide full-time care and attention to someone who requires it and in the course of processing applications for this scheme, a Social Welfare Inspector usually speaks to the person concerned in order to establish that the various statutory conditions of the scheme are satisfied.
To ensure the best possible standards in dealing with members of the public, the Department operates a code of practice which commits to treating all customers equally, fairly and with respect. When interviewing clients, Social Welfare Inspectors are instructed to take account of any special circumstances and to conduct the interview with tact, sympathy and empathy. The work of an inspector is always conducted on a confidential basis and where necessary another person can be present at the interview to provide support.
A range of training courses are in place specifically designed to equip Social welfare Inspectors with the skills necessary to deal with all customers in a professional manner. These courses include the provision of interviewing and reporting skills as well training on Disability Awareness, Diversity Awareness, and Customer Service. In the event that a person is unhappy with the manner in which an interview was conducted he/she can avail of the Department's Customer Complaints procedures. Details of this procedure are available on the Department's website www.welfare.ie.
Question No. 478 withdrawn.
Billy Kelleher
Question:479 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place for job activation for those with mental health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18775/12]
View answerActivation programmes for people with disabilities have been consolidated under the new national identity 'Employ Ability Service’. The EmployAbility service offers a range of supports: wage subsidy scheme, employment services including job search activities and on-the-job coaching; employer supports which comprise disability awareness training support, employee retention grants and workplace adaptation grants. The service is key in supporting people with disabilities overcome the challenges not only of adapting to employment and being accepted in the workplace but in demonstrating their productive capability and ability to do the job.
In addition the Department caters for people with disabilities in its community employment programme.
The range of options available to people with disabilities has been augmented further by the introduction of the partial capacity benefit scheme which I launched in February this year. The partial capacity benefit scheme is open to people who are in receipt of invalidity pension or who have been in receipt of illness benefit for a minimum of six months. Participation in the scheme is voluntary and the scheme is designed in particular to respond to the needs of people who currently seek to avail of ‘exemptions' in order to take up employment opportunities.
In addition I recently announced the expansion of the Disability Activation Project. This project is co-funded by the European Union under the European Social Fund and the Irish Government. The strategic aim of the Disability Activation Project is to increase the capacity and potential of people on the Department's disability /illness welfare payments to participate in the labour market, based on a case management approach. The Project is being expanded through the issue of a Call for Proposals which opened in February and invited organisations in the Border, Midlands and Western region that have experience of working with people with disability to submit projects for funding. The closing date for receipt of application was 13 April.
Services available to people with disability are not differentiated on the basis of the nature or type of disability of the client.