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Tuesday, 13 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 352-373

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (352)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

352. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to pass rent allowance directly to landlords rather than tenants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49579/12]

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Written answers

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 89,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million in 2012.

Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department’s relationship is with the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their accommodation needs. There is no direct relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme.

However, rent supplement payments can, at the request of the tenant and with the agreement of the Department, be paid directly to the landlord. If the Department were to introduce a system whereby all rent supplement payments were to be made directly to landlords the efficiency of the scheme would be significantly affected. For example, the Department would potentially have to create a formal relationship with some 89,000 additional clients, the landlords. This would involve greater complexity and significant resources to deal with a new set of third parties. It would not be an effective use of resources to have departmental staff negotiating rental agreements for those with a short term need.

It is open to the landlord to bring to the attention of the Department any instance where they suspect that a tenant is receiving rent supplement and is not paying their rent. Where the Department becomes aware that a person is not using rent supplement to meet the accommodation costs, payment of the supplement is suspended and the matter investigated.

Where a landlord has a grievance in relation to the non-payment of rent by a tenant, s/he may apply to the Private Residential Tenancies Board to have the dispute resolved through the Board’s dispute resolution process.

Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals

Questions (353)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

353. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance payment ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and when it will be reinstated. [49588/12]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 1st November 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. 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. 354 withdrawn.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Questions (355)

Peter Mathews

Question:

355. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49600/12]

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Written answers

An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on the 11th May 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for DCA. A letter issued on 18th July 2012 refusing the allowance. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision. As part of the appeal process, the case has been forwarded to another of the Department’s Medical Assessors for further consideration, including a review of any new information supplied. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the case will be further examined and will be forwarded for consideration by the Appeals Office, if necessary.

Question No. 356 withdrawn.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Application Numbers

Questions (357)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

357. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection the average processing time for rent supplement application from County Kildare; the number of applications for rent allowance currently awaiting processing from persons in County Kildare; the reason there appears to be an inordinate delay in processing these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49635/12]

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Written answers

Where all the required information is provided at the time of the initial application, claims should be processed without delay and the rent supplement will normally be approved by months end. Delays may occur where requests for further information are necessary. In addition to Kildare the rent section processes claims from Wicklow and parts of Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 15. With the recent introduction of email addresses for the section, documents relating to the rent supplement claim can now be attached to the email thus reducing the expense for the customer and the turnabout time for the claim. For Kildare the email address is kildarerentsupplement@welfare.ie. The processing times of claims are being kept under review.

Community Welfare Services

Questions (358)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

358. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposed changes to the delivery of the community welfare service in the Drumcondra area, Dublin 9; and the way these changes will directly affect local residents in receipt of the community welfare service. [49639/12]

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Written answers

Following the integration of the former community welfare service into my Department efficiencies have been achieved which allow for a reconfiguration of how services within the area concerned are delivered. This area is serviced by the new Intreo office at Kings Inns St and developments there have reduced the extent to which supplementary welfare allowance has been paid in cases where people have made applications for both jobseekers allowance and benefit. This has reduced the compliance impact for clients and eliminated duplication that was previously a feature of the process. Additionally it has allowed former community welfare officers become involved in the Intreo process, including in activation case management to enhance our clients’ employability and life chances.

To further consolidate this we are moving to a system where a number of community welfare units will operate together out of one location, in this instance the Marino Health Centre. This will allow us to offer an ongoing service with the equivalent availability to the public as the previous arrangements system and this will be kept under review to ensure that such availability is proportionate to our clients’ requirements.

The effect that this will have on local residents is that some clients will have to travel a longer distance to reach the Health Centre, and others a shorter distance but a more consistently-resourced service will be available at the consolidated location in Marino.

This new service will be fully operational in Marino Health Centre from Tuesday 20th November 2012.

Question No. 359 answered with Question No. 115.
Question No. 360 withdrawn.

Departmental Agencies Expenditure

Questions (361)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

361. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the amount currently being spent on, or budgeted for, by State agencies under her remit for spending on the areas of communications, public relations, consultancy, advertising and human resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49658/12]

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Written answers

The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Carer's Allowance Payments

Questions (362)

Michael McGrath

Question:

362. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the assessment used in the weekly carer's allowance figure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [49666/12]

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Written answers

This application for carer’s allowance was awarded on 1st November 2012 and a letter issued to the person in question notifying them of the decision and how the rate was arrived at. The person in question was assessed with a weekly means of €202.18 per week and so is therefore entitled to carer’s allowance at a rate of €9.00 per week with an increase for two qualified children at €29.80 per week. The first payment will issue to the person in question on 15th November 2012 into their bank account. Any arrears due will issue shortly.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (363)

Noel Coonan

Question:

363. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49671/12]

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Written answers

I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 2nd July 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Family Income Supplement Applications

Questions (364)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

364. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the significant delays within her Department with respect to the processing of family income support applications, if she will confirm the date a decision will be made on an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [49679/12]

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Written answers

The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. In the case of the person concerned his family income supplement (FIS) payment expired on the 29 August 2012. His renewal application has recently been awarded from 30 August 2012 to 28 August 2013 and he will receive his first payment on 15 November 2012. The person concerned will shortly receive a notification with full details of this decision.

Question No. 365 withdrawn.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Questions (366)

Tom Fleming

Question:

366. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49700/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9th May 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 25th July 2012 and the case, together with additional evidence submitted, has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. 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.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (367)

Noel Harrington

Question:

367. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49703/12]

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Written answers

I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 17th January 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (368)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

368. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49720/12]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26th April 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11th September 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

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.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (369)

Barry Cowen

Question:

369. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for carer's allowance. [49728/12]

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Written answers

I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 8 March 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (370)

Barry Cowen

Question:

370. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for carer's allowance. [49730/12]

View answer

Written answers

I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 13th September 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who found that the carees in question were not medically eligible for carer’s allowance. It was further decided that full-time care and attention was not being provided for the carees in question in accordance with the regulations. A letter issued on 9th June 2012 refusing the allowance and giving the reasons.

The person in question subsequently submitted further medical evidence for review on 17th July 2012. This medical evidence is awaiting medical assessment by a medical assessor. On completion of all the necessary investigations as part of this review, a decision will be made and the person in question will be contacted directly with the outcome. However, it should be noted that all conditions for the receipt of the allowance must be satisfied in order for the application to be successful.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (371)

Martin Heydon

Question:

371. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if carer's allowance will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49752/12]

View answer

Written answers

I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 24th February 2012. The medical assessment has been completed. The application is currently with a social welfare investigative officer for confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the investigative officer has completed and submitted the report a deciding officer will make a full decision. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Back to Education Allowance Applications

Questions (372)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount by which means exceeded the guidelines in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49764/12]

View answer

Written answers

An application for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance was received from the customer concerned on 27 June 2012. The application was processed on 18 July 2012 and was disallowed as the person’s means exceed the income limit for their family size. The income limit for the person concerned is €593.40 while their household income was assessed at €609.28. The person concerned requested a review of this decision which was completed on 14th of August. The original decision was upheld and as no further evidence has been provided this decision remains and the claim is now closed.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (373)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

373. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the current rent supplement thresholds in north Tipperary and south Tipperary; the reasons for any variances; her view on whether these thresholds are an accurate reflections of the rental market, and if any change in this threshold is being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49769/12]

View answer

Written answers

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are approximately 89,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided €436 million in 2012.

The State plays a major role in the private rental market through the rent supplement scheme. As the Department currently funds approximately 30% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review and reflect current market conditions.

Revised maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012 and are in place until June 2013. The rent limits for North and South Tipperary are set out in the following tabular statement. These limits were set after an analysis of the most up to date market data available. Any price differential between North and South Tipperary was based on the analysis of their respective local rental markets. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.

The Department will continue to monitor rent levels throughout the country but at this point I have no immediate plans to revise the existing rent limits. The next review of rent limits will take place before June 2013 and any changes to the limits in Tipperary will be considered as part of this review.

TABULAR STATEMENT

Rent Limits for North Tipperary and South Tipperary 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2013

County

Single person in shared accommodation

Couple in shared accommodation

Single person

Couple with no children

Couple/One Parent Family with 1 child

Couple/One Parent Family with 2 children

Couple/One Parent Family with 3 children

Tipperary North

€195

€200

€345

€375

€410

€500

€525

Tipperary South

€195

€220

€370

€425

€525

€540

€550

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