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Tuesday, 16 Apr 2013

Written Answers Nos. 601-623

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (601)

Pat Breen

Question:

601. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16549/13]

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 14 March 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.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (602)

Pat Breen

Question:

602. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16550/13]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an appeal was registered on 15 March 2013, and in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Appeals Office have contacted the applicant and asked him to set out the complete grounds of his appeal. On receipt of his response the relevant departmental papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (603)

Pat Breen

Question:

603. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16552/13]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the decision on 27 February 2013. 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.

Job Initiatives

Questions (604)

Denis Naughten

Question:

604. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 20 March 2013, if a person (details supplied) whose internship under JobBridge has ceased, due to the failure of the employer to offer the training agreed, may be treated as a new applicant for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16560/13]

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Written answers

The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress since it came into operation. As at 11 April, 2013, 16,326 internships have commenced with 5,944 participants on an internship and 2,410 internship opportunities advertised on www.jobbridge.ie as of that date. In my previous response to the Deputy, I informed him that the Department has stringent measures in place to monitor internships and to investigate alleged abuse of the scheme. The individual named by the Deputy forwarded his complaint to JobBridge directly on the 24 March 2013. These allegations were passed to the appropriate divisional officer for investigation. I have been advised by my officials that the investigating officer in relation to this case has been in contact directly with the individual named by the Deputy and is currently in the process of securing a response to these allegations from the host organisation concerned. Pending the outcome of this investigation the National Contact Centre has been advised to suspend any further advertised JobBridge placements from this organisation.

The Department's records show that the individual named by the Deputy has completed almost four months in his placement before his early termination on the 29 March 2013. The current procedures provide that a participant can avail of a maximum of two JobBridge internship opportunities, though the total cumulative time cannot exceed nine months (39 weeks). I will arrange for his eligibility for re-entry to Jobbridge to be reviewed once I receive the report of the investigating officer.

Job Initiatives

Questions (605)

Denis Naughten

Question:

605. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the procedure following a complaint under the JobBridge scheme; the number of interns that have left JobBridge early; the number of official complaints that have been made regarding internships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16561/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that JobBridge has made exceptional progress since it came into operation on 1 July, 2011. As at 11 April, 2013, 16,326 internships have commenced with 5,944 participants on an internship and 2,410 internship opportunities advertised on www.jobbridge.ie as of that date. The recent interim independent evaluation of the scheme conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants found that 61% of individuals who have participated in JobBridge have progressed into employment within five months of completing their internship placements. This high level of progression into employment exceeds that of similar schemes across Europe, suggesting that JobBridge is an appropriate labour market intervention. The Department has stringent measures in place to monitor internships and to investigate alleged abuse of the scheme. Each advertisement is vetted by the National Contact Centre for compliance with scheme criteria. The eligibility of interns is assessed before they are permitted to commence an internship. Host organisations are required to complete monthly monitoring returns. Host organisations are subject to random monitoring visits by officers of the Department. Of the more than 1,600 monitoring visits conducted to date, 97% of internships monitored were found to be operating satisfactorily with remedial action taken in the remaining 3% of cases. The procedures for registering a query or complaint are addressed in the Contact Us section of the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie.

In addition to regular monitoring, the Department has received 218 complaints that have warranted investigation since the scheme commenced. A total of 15 breaches of the scheme criteria were found to be of a sufficiently serious nature so as to warrant the exclusion of the host organisation from participation in the scheme. The following were some of the key breaches of the scheme: standard Agreement not completed; appropriate Mentoring/Development not being provided; not adhering to Compliance Requirements; and displacement issues. However, it is important to highlight that the overwhelming majority of companies are abiding by the terms and conditions of the scheme. In fact, over 7,500 host organisations have commenced interns since the scheme began, of which a total of 15 companies have been disqualified due to breaches of the scheme. Our analysis indicates that 58% of all interns have left their internship early. While this may appear to be of immediate concern, it is reassuring to highlight that 66% of these interns completed their internship early to take up immediate employment with either their host organisation or another company.

Ministerial Travel

Questions (606)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

606. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost incurred by her Department, in respect of this year’s overseas travel programme for St Patrick’s Day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16613/13]

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Written answers

The cost of overseas travel programmes for St. Patrick's day from 2009 to 2013 is shown in the table below. For 2013, embassy charges which are expenses incurred by our embassies and reimbursed to them by the Department, have not been received to date.

Year

Location

Flights

Overnight/Subsistence Costs

Taxi/Car Hire

Gifts

Total €

2013*

Chicago

1,178.22

518.32

-

-

1,696.54

2012

New York

1,623.64

1,459.34

72.58

-

3,155.56

2011

London

851.17

204.22

38.00

-

1,093.39

2010

Philadelphia

4,537.00

1,171.00

400.00

300.00

6,408.00

2009

Atlanta

8,776.80

1,440.64

3,713.79

-

13,931.23

*Note 2013 figures are provisional and do not include embassy charges which have yet to be received by the Department.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (607)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

607. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to implement a change of policy to enable community employment child care workers a minimum of three years in order to gain the requisite FETAC qualification (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16622/13]

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Written answers

The Department of Social Protection is improving the provision of training and work experience for CE participants on Community Employment overall. Recent developments have focused on CE schemes involved in supporting community childcare services and on CE participants who wish to pursue a career in child care while on CE. These developments reflect the findings of a number of recent reviews - the "CE Financial Review of Schemes” (2012) and the “Review of Department of Social Protection Employment Support Schemes" (2012). In response, the Department is planning a number of improvements which will provide a clear career progression path and a structure for CE participants in Early Years Services. The Department is proposing to change and improve the provision of training and work experience for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in child care. This involves putting in place entry requirements, defined standards of achievement, a career progression path, and a structure for CE workers in Early Years Services. These changes will provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community childcare and achieve greater coherence between participation on CE and the job market.

For CE participants who work directly with children a dedicated programme is proposed which comprises of formal learning (a FETAC Level 5 childcare qualification) and supervised work experience. In acknowledgement of the training a participant will commit to undertaking participation on a child-care place will have a duration of three years. This programme is currently being piloted in the Midlands North Region and an evaluation of the programme will take place before a national roll-out is undertaken.

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Questions (608)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

608. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an appeal of a jobseeker's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16665/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on14 March 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.

FÁS Training Programmes Provision

Questions (609)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

609. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an extension for a FÁS course will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16684/13]

View answer

Written answers

The maximum period of participation on community employment schemes for persons over fifty-five years of age is six years. The person concerned will have completed six years on a community employment scheme on the 24 May 2013 and it is therefore not possible to grant him an extension.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (610)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

610. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress in respect of determination of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose case has been ongoing for ten months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16701/13]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer decision. 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.

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Questions (611)

John O'Mahony

Question:

611. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be granted habitual residence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16723/13]

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 19 March 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. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4 April 2013 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.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (612)

Michael McNamara

Question:

612. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a decision on their appeal for Invalidity Pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16725/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 27 March 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.

Jobseeker's Benefit Applications

Questions (613)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

613. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 26 March 2013, the extent of entitlement and stamp received for the last Christmas period in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the full stamp was applied in this instance as was communicated would be done by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16726/13]

View answer

Written answers

According to the records of this department there is no current application from the person concerned for jobseeker's benefit.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (614)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

614. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the positon regarding an appeal for 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. [16733/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case on 17 May 2013. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.

Rural Social Scheme Applications

Questions (615)

Tom Fleming

Question:

615. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the number of participants on rural social schemes in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16747/13]

View answer

Written answers

The purpose of the rural social scheme is to provide income support for farmers and those engaged in fishing who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. Participants are engaged for 19 and a half hours per week to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. The scheme currently provides work opportunities for around 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff of which 272 participants and 14 supervisors are engaged in County Kerry. The funds allocated for 2013 amount to €45 million and should enable the scheme to continue as in previous years but does not allow for the recruitment of additional participants above the numbers stated above. I have no plans to increase the number of places available on this scheme.

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Questions (616)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

616. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent supplement will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if all information sought has been received by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16752/13]

View answer

Written answers

At the time of application for rent supplement, the rent was in excess of the maximum rent limit appropriate to the family composition. The person concerned has been requested to provide further information in order to process the claim. The customer is being contacted again and decision will be made on her application when the information has been provided.

Invalidity Pensions Data

Questions (617, 618)

Heather Humphreys

Question:

617. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the number of persons in receipt of invalidity pension for each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16780/13]

View answer

Heather Humphreys

Question:

618. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the number of persons in receipt of disability allowance for each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16783/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 617 and 618 together.

The number of recipients of Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension on the 31 of December in each of the years 2003 to 2012 is detailed in the following tabular statement.

Number of Recipients of Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension, 2003 to 2012

Year

Disability Allowance

Invalidity Pension

2003

67,720

53,414

2004

72,976

55,864

2005

79,253

58,352

2006

83,697

51,954

2007

89,048

53,956

2008

95,754

53,725

2009

99,576

52,922

2010

101,111

50,766

2011

102,866

49,792

2012

101,784

50,053

One-Parent Family Payment Appeals

Questions (619)

Pat Breen

Question:

619. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on one parent family payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16793/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements have been made. 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.

Guardian's Payment Applications

Questions (620)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

620. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason guardian payment has ceased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16795/13]

View answer

Written answers

One of the conditions for receipt of guardian’s payment is that the child concerned must meet the legislative definition of "orphan" as contained in Section 2(1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005:

"orphan! means a qualified child—

(a ) both of whose parents are dead, or

(b ) one of whose parents is dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child, as the case may be, and whose other parent—

(i) is unknown, or

(ii) has abandoned and failed to provide for the child,

where that child is not residing with a parent, adoptive parent or step-parent;

During a periodic review of entitlement to guardian's payment (contributory) in respect of the person concerned, it emerged that the child's mother was caring for another child. The child concerned cannot be considered an orphan if her mother is in a position to provide for her care. The person concerned was asked to provide independent evidence to support her contention that the child satisfied the definition of an "orphan" under the legislation. As sufficient evidence has not been provided, it was decided that there is no longer entitlement to a guardian's payment (contributory). Should she be in a position to provide the required independent evidence, it is open to the person concerned to have her entitlement to this payment reviewed.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (621)

Pat Breen

Question:

621. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance review will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16800/13]

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 26 February 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. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4 April 2013 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.

Rural Social Scheme Applications

Questions (622)

Dara Calleary

Question:

622. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the application process for sports clubs and community groups for inclusion on rural social schemes, community employment schemes and the TÚS schemes in County Mayo; the criteria used in assessing such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16808/13]

View answer

Written answers

Applications for support from Mayo based community organisations in respect of Tús and the rural social scheme are managed by South West Mayo Development Company Limited and Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company. Údarás na Gaeltachta manages these schemes in the Gaeltacht areas of Mayo. Each company operates its own applications process, details of which are available on the companies' respective websites or directly from the companies. Invitations to organisations to make applications to the companies were advertised in the local press earlier this year. The Department has set out the key requirements in respect of the applications and assessment process in its rules and conditions for the operation of both schemes.

With respect to community employment (CE), applications are made to the Department of Social Protection area office in Castlebar. Applications are assessed by department staff to determine if the work being proposed is eligible, that an organisation has the capacity to manage and deliver a scheme and that the expected outcomes are consistent with CE. Voluntary organisations and public bodies may sponsor projects which are for community and public benefit and facilitate the provision of development and training opportunities for participants. The organisation must be able to provide work and training opportunities for 15 or more participants and to be able to engage a full-time supervisor.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (623)

Arthur Spring

Question:

623. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16813/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 15 March 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.

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