Written Answers Nos. 131-138
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker's allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3651/13]
View answerThe jobseeker’s allowance application of the person concerned is currently being processed. The person concerned will be advised of the outcome once the process is complete.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an exceptional needs payment or assistance towards fuel bills might be made in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3652/13]
View answerAccording to the records of this Department the persons concerned have not applied for an exceptional needs payment in respect of assistance towards fuel bills. An application form for an exceptional needs payment may be obtained from Celbridge Health Centre.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum rent allowable and rent support payable in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3653/13]
View answerThe maximum rent limit applicable for this family composition would be €790.00 per month. This is the limit for a couple or a parent with 3 or more children in Kildare. However, there is no record of a rent supplement application registered with the Department for the family concerned. If the person concerned wishes to apply for a rent supplement, he should complete an application form and return it to the Kildare Rents Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the maximum rent support payable and maximum rent allowed in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; if it has been suggested that rent application should more appropriately be in the name of one person only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3655/13]
View answerA review of this case is being undertaken at present and the persons concerned will be informed of the outcome once the review is completed.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of entitlement in respect of carer's allowance or part-carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3657/13]
View answerThe person in question was in receipt of carer’s allowance for the care of two care recipients (carees). Following a review of continued eligibility, one of the carees in question was deemed not medically eligible for carer’s allowance and the payment in respect of this caree ceased on 21 November 2012. Therefore the person in question is currently in receipt of carer’s allowance for one caree at a personal rate of €204 per week along with a payment of €29.80 half rate for two children. It is open to the spouse of the person in question to apply for an increase in his invalidity pension in respect of his spouse. An application form for this purpose has now issued to him. The rate of payment for a qualified adult on invalidity pension is €138.10 per week, while the carer’s allowance would be reduced to half rate which is currently €102.00 per week. Overall, if approved, this would result in an increase of €36.10 per week to the household.
136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will advise of the status of a plan (details supplied); the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3589/13]
View answerLast April, together with Minister Hogan, I met Commissioner Potonik in Brussels, where we secured his support for developing a National Raised Bog S pecial Area of Conservation (SAC) Management Plan. This was in keeping with the recommendations of Justice Quirke following his report on the Peatlands Forum. It was also in line with the motion agreed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 7 March 2012, which called on the Government to “engage actively with the European Commission to seek a resolution within the terms of the Habitats Directive, and to prepare and submit a National Raised Bog Restoration Plan to the Commission as a matter of urgency". My Department has prepared an outline document detailing the proposed approach to the development of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. The document is available on my Department’s website at www.npws.ie.
The proposals made at the Peatlands Forum identified relocation as a viable proposition for the majority of our raised bog SACs. The primary focus of the national plan, therefore, is to develop a long-term conservation approach to each of the sites, with relocation options for those who wish to continue turf-cutting. Financial compensation is also available to affected turf-cutters as an alternative to relocation. Arrangements are now being made for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs and these have been finalised, or are close to finalisation, for a number of sites. 15 of the 53 sites will not require relocation arrangements to be made - for example, where little or no turf-cutting has occurred for many years. Potential relocation options have been identified for a further 31 SACs, including the SAC referred to in the Deputy’s Question. Work is ongoing to investigate the suitability of these relocation sites. If, following an in-depth examination, there are a small number of SACs where there are genuinely no alternatives in terms of relocation, the national plan may be able to provide some flexibility in this regard.
I am determined that, in collaboration with the Peatlands Council and local turf-cutting communities, substantial progress will be made on the national plan over the coming months. My Department has stepped up contact with turf-cutting groups to seek long-term resolutions to the issues for their particular bogs, in compliance with EU and national law. In addition, my Department has recently sought tenders for carrying out the necessary scientific research, which is essential to underpin the long-term conservation and restoration of these SACs and which will be required for completion of the national plan.
137. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3488/13]
View answerThe qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, administered by my Department, are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
Applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme have been received by my Department from both of the individuals referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I understand that they do not appear to have a legal interest in the site through ownership or a turbary right. My Department is considering the position of those who have applied for compensation but do not appear to fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme for a variety of reasons and will be writing to all such applicants in relation to their position in due course.
138. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to create a permanent exhibition in one of the national museums to commemorate the Famine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3495/13]
View answerI am advised by the National Museum of Ireland that it collects material of national and regional importance where a connection with the Great Famine is verifiable. I understand that the Museum is in possession of a number of objects relating to the Famine that are categorized broadly into collections but that there are no plans to mount a permanent exhibition. The Deputy will appreciate that the determination of exhibitions is a day-to-day operational matter for the National Museum and that I as Minister, have no statutory responsibility in relation to such matters.
