Written Answers Nos. 214-231
214. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 7 February 2013, if she will provide a breakdown of the amount paid for farm assist for the years 2011 and 2012, on a county basis in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7850/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not collated in respect of farm assist. Scheme expenditure statistics are collated on a national basis, volume statistics on a county by county basis are collated and published for recipients of social welfare schemes. At present there is no further update available in respect of the information supplied in response to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 7 February 2013, which provided 2011 farm assist recipients by county and expenditure for the scheme in 2011 and 2012. When the Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services report for 2012 is completed it will be laid before the Dáil.
215. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against refusal of carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the appeal will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7865/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 22nd January 2013, 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.
216. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that she has received an appeal against the refusal of carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and when this appeal will be decided. [7877/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that no appeal has been received by that office in respect of the person concerned.
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.
217. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the carer’s allowance in relation to who qualifies; and if she will clarify the changes that have been made since budget 2013. [7916/13]
View answerThere was no change to carer’s allowance or half-rate carer’s allowance in Budget 2013. Carer's allowance is a means tested payment for people who are providing full time care and attention to a person who needs that level of care. Since September 2007, if a person is getting certain social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, they can keep their main social welfare payment and also get a half-rate carer's allowance.
The income disregard and means test for carers is the most generous within the social welfare system. A couple under 66 with two children, earning a joint annual income of up to €35,400 can qualify for maximum payment carer’s allowance while such a couple earning €59,300 will still qualify for the minimum rate and may also qualify for the household benefits package.
There are currently over 52,000 people in receipt of a carer’s allowance payment. The expected expenditure for the scheme in 2013 is €509 million. Of those in receipt of carer’s allowance over 23,000 are getting half-rate carer’s allowance in addition to another social welfare payment at an annual cost of some €90 million. All carer’s allowance recipients are entitled to the annual respite care grant and a free travel pass. The number in receipt of a carer’s allowance payment from the Department has increased by more than 150% in the last 10 years from 20,000 in 2001 to 52,000 in 2012. Expenditure on the carer’s allowance scheme has increased by almost 220% in the same period.
The rate of the annual respite care grant was reduced from €1,700 to €1,350 in the Budget. This grant is paid automatically to all those in receipt of carer’s allowance, carer’s benefit and domiciliary care allowance in June of each year. The grant is not means tested and is also available to those people who are not in receipt of one of the above payments but are providing full-time care and attention to a person who needs this care. The estimated expenditure on the respite care grant in 2013 is €110 million.
219. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or benefit in County Meath broken down by gender and age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7945/13]
View answerThe total number of persons in receipt of jobseekers allowance or jobseekers benefit in Local Offices in County Meath at the end of January 2013 was 9,121. The catchment area of these offices, particularly near the border of counties, may include addresses in neighbouring counties (e.g. Dublin), and as such those signing on at a Local Office in Meath may not be resident in the county. A detailed breakdown of this number by scheme, gender, age and Local Office is contained in the following tabular statement.
Number of Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance by Age, Gender and Local Office located in Meath, 31/01/2013
|
Office |
Age Band |
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
|
|
|
Male |
Female |
||
|
Kells |
Under 25 |
150 |
104 |
|
|
25-29 |
134 |
77 |
||
|
30-34 |
149 |
72 |
||
|
35-39 |
119 |
50 |
||
|
40-44 |
125 |
39 |
||
|
45-49 |
92 |
33 |
||
|
50-54 |
89 |
30 |
||
|
55-59 |
83 |
13 |
||
|
60-64 |
52 |
12 |
||
|
65 and over |
3 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
996 |
431 |
1,427 |
|
|
Navan |
Under 25 |
399 |
249 |
|
|
25-29 |
348 |
158 |
||
|
30-34 |
369 |
150 |
||
|
35-39 |
353 |
138 |
||
|
40-44 |
294 |
107 |
||
|
45-49 |
243 |
82 |
||
|
50-54 |
194 |
70 |
||
|
55-59 |
157 |
53 |
||
|
60-64 |
108 |
36 |
||
|
65 and over |
11 |
3 |
||
|
|
Total |
2,476 |
1,046 |
3,522 |
|
Trim |
Under 25 |
234 |
163 |
|
|
25-29 |
219 |
108 |
|
|
|
30-34 |
216 |
91 |
|
|
|
35-39 |
197 |
67 |
|
|
|
40-44 |
167 |
57 |
|
|
|
45-49 |
142 |
44 |
|
|
|
50-54 |
121 |
28 |
|
|
|
55-59 |
93 |
29 |
|
|
|
60-64 |
86 |
27 |
|
|
|
65 and over |
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
Total |
1,480 |
617 |
2,097 |
Number of Recipients of Jobseeker’s Benefit by Age, Gender and Local Office located in Meath, 31/01/2013
|
Office |
Age Band |
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
|
|
|
|
Male |
Female |
|
|
Kells |
Under 25 |
8 |
7 |
|
|
25-29 |
34 |
18 |
||
|
30-34 |
44 |
26 |
||
|
35-39 |
28 |
16 |
||
|
40-44 |
35 |
18 |
||
|
45-49 |
26 |
22 |
||
|
50-54 |
16 |
13 |
||
|
55-59 |
19 |
12 |
||
|
60-64 |
13 |
13 |
||
|
65 and over |
2 |
0 |
||
|
Total |
225 |
145 |
370 |
|
|
Navan |
Under 25 |
36 |
27 |
|
|
25-29 |
66 |
56 |
||
|
30-34 |
95 |
88 |
||
|
35-39 |
83 |
79 |
||
|
40-44 |
72 |
69 |
||
|
45-49 |
58 |
43 |
||
|
50-54 |
45 |
32 |
||
|
55-59 |
42 |
31 |
||
|
60-64 |
21 |
18 |
||
|
65 and over |
3 |
4 |
||
|
|
Total |
521 |
447 |
968 |
|
Trim |
Under 25 |
17 |
28 |
|
|
25-29 |
57 |
45 |
||
|
30-34 |
58 |
65 |
||
|
35-39 |
62 |
46 |
||
|
40-44 |
50 |
48 |
||
|
45-49 |
43 |
36 |
||
|
50-54 |
31 |
32 |
||
|
55-59 |
34 |
32 |
||
|
60-64 |
28 |
20 |
||
|
65 and over |
2 |
3 |
||
|
Total |
382 |
355 |
737 |
220. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in Westmeath who have so far applied for and are taking part in Tús and JobBridge programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7969/13]
View answerTús, the community work placement initiative which became operational in 2011, provides part-time work opportunities for those aged 18 and over, who are unemployed for more than a year. The purpose of Tús is the provision of quality work for those who are unemployed in order to break the cycle of unemployment and to improve a person’s opportunities in returning to the labour market.
To date, 142 participants and 5 supervisors/team leaders have completed or are currently serving in-work placements provided by community organisations across county Westmeath. As at 8 February 2013, 87 participants and 5 supervisors/team leaders were actively engaged on Tús. A person cannot apply to participate on Tús. Rather, all selection is undertaken by a random process conducted at local level by the Department, with the selection focussed on those on the Live Register for a year or more and in receipt of a Jobseeker’s payment.
The National Internship Scheme, JobBridge, was launched in 2011 to provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period. The aim of the scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. Applicants must be currently in receipt of, as their main payment, Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s credits, One Parent Family Payment or Disability Allowance and have been unemployed for a minimum period of 78 days in the preceding 6 months. To date, 352 participants have completed or are currently serving in placements in county Westmeath. As at 8 February 2013, 121 participants were actively engaged on JobBridge.
As part of the budget measures to provide 10,000 additional work placement, internship and training programme places, a further 2,500 placements will be made available under Tús in the coming months. The number of available places on JobBridge will also be increased by 2,500. This is in line with the commitments set out in the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work.
221. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline recent developments and proposals in relation to tackling the issue of mortgage arrears and personal debt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7970/13]
View answerThere is a three-phased approach to provide a comprehensive Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service, to assist people in mortgage distress. The approach differentiates between mortgage information and mortgage advice. The first two elements involve the enhancement of the website www.keepingyourhome.ie and the establishment of a Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline within the Citizens Information Board (CIB), both of which focus on the provision of comprehensive mortgage arrears information in particular to people in arrears or pre-arrears.
The third element of the service is the provision of independent financial advice to mortgage holders who are being presented with long term mortgage resolution proposals by their lenders. This advice will be provided by a panel of accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland who have agreed to participate and support this independent service.
When a lender is proposing longer-term mortgage resolutions, the lender will advise the borrower to obtain independent financial advice on the proposed arrangement and, if the borrower wishes to avail of this option, then the lender will pay €250 to an accountant of the borrower’s choosing for the provision of this advice. The independent financial advice is available to all mortgage holders in respect of a mortgage secured on a primary residence who have been offered long-term forbearance options by their lenders. An operating protocol for the provision of this advice has been agreed between the main accountancy bodies and the Irish Banking Federation. To date, some 2,700 accountants have confirmed to their accounting body that they wish to be part of the panel and their details are listed on a county by county basis on the website www.keepingyourhome.ie.
The Personal Insolvency Act 2012 provides new and more flexible options to address the circumstances of insolvent debtors. Among the non-judicial debt resolution processes to deal with personal debt is the granting of a Debt Relief Notice to persons with no assets or no income with unsecured debts of up to €20,000. With the assistance of an approved intermediary, a person may apply for a Debt Relief Notice which will allow for the full write-off of qualifying unsecured debt after a three year supervision period. The Citizens Information Board, which has the statutory responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) has agreed to my request that MABS be an approved intermediary for the purpose of processing applications for Debt Relief Notices. Those who can avail of Debt Relief Notices are typically part of the MABS core client cohort of people on low incomes in debt or in danger of falling into debt.
Sanction has been given for 16 temporary staff to be assigned to MABS for up to 2 years, to establish an Approved Intermediary Service (AIS) for the purposes of processing Debt Relief Notices. An implementation process is underway and the CIB/MABS are working closely with the new Insolvency Service to ensure that the AIS will be operational in time for the establishment of the Insolvency Service.
I am confident that these new developments will provide people with the necessary supports to assist them address their debt difficulties.
222. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7983/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 31st January 2013. 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.
223. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7985/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 31st October 2012. The application is currently with a social welfare investigative officer for assessment of means assessment and 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 decision. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 17 January 2013, if and when an oral hearing will take place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8009/13]
View answerFurther to my response to Parliamentary Question Ref. No. 2195/13, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that following an initial review of the appeal, an Appeals Officer indicated that an oral hearing might be helpful. In that context, the case was assigned to a different Appeals Officer who, having had an opportunity to examine the case more closely, concluded that an oral hearing was not required and decided the appeal by way of summary decision. The appellant has been notified of the Appeals Officers decision.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8010/13]
View answerThe rent supplement claim from the person concerned has now been approved. Notification of this decision has now been issued to him and he will receive his first payment at the end of this month including any arrears due.
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the nature of any contact her Department has had with a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8011/13]
View answerA letter issued on the 13th February 2013 from the local office manager in Ballyfermot offering to meet with the person concerned in order to advance this issue and to clarify any queries she may have in relation to the matter.
227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the rent ceiling and rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8012/13]
View answerTo date, the person concerned has not made an application for rent supplement to the Department. An application can be sent to the Kildare Rents Unit, P.O. Box 11758, Dublin 24 and the person’s entitlement can then be assessed.
228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the maximum rent levels payable in north Kildare; if she will take account of market pressure and consequent hardship on recipients of rent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8013/13]
View answerThe 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 over 87,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013. Revised maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012 and are in place until June 2013. 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. It is essential that State support for rents are kept under review and do not distort the market in a way that could increase rent prices for others, such as low paid workers and students.
Departmental records show that there were over 4,300 rent supplement claims in payment in County Kildare at the end of 2012, with over 1,000 in North Kildare (in Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip and Kilcock). The number of rental properties available in North Kildare is somewhat lower than the numbers available in the rest of the county and therefore impacts on the number of accommodation units available for rent supplement. Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants will continue to ensure that their accommodation needs are met.
The Department will continue to monitor rent levels throughout the country. The next review of rent limits will take place before June 2013 and any changes to the existing limits will be considered as part of this review.
229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of payment of jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8014/13]
View answerAn application for jobseeker’s allowance is currently being processed. The person concerned will be advised of the outcome once the process is complete.
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when entitlement to jobseeker's allowance will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8015/13]
View answerAn application for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of the person concerned has been awarded and the first payment will be available for collection at the nominated post office on 14th February 2013.
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8016/13]
View answerTo date, the person concerned has not made an application for rent supplement to the Department. An application can be sent to the Kildare Rents Unit, P.O. Box 11758, Dublin 24 and the person’s entitlement can then be assessed.
