Barry Cowen
Question:312. 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 domiciliary care allowance. [20085/13]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (312)
Written answers
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 13th March 2013. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Upon receipt of this opinion, a decision will issue to the person concerned.
It can take up to 8 weeks to process an application for DCA.
Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals
Questions (313)
Peter Mathews
Question:313. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20115/13]
View answerWritten 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.
Social Welfare Fraud
Questions (314, 331)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:314. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the savings that have been made within her Department for combating social welfare fraud; the proposals in place for combating social welfare fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20125/13]
View answer
Terence Flanagan
Question:331. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is on course to target benefit fraud in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20342/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 331 together.
My Department recorded control savings of €669 million in 2012. The savings target for 2013 is €710 million, an increase of over €40m on 2012.
Control savings are used as a performance indicator for year-on-year activities and are an estimate of the value of the various control activities across the schemes in payment. It is important to remember that control savings are not actual monies recovered by the Department but are a good indication of the increase in social welfare expenditure that would occur without these activities taking place. Without this control work, social welfare expenditure would over time increase by this amount. These activities also have a deterrent or knock-on effect, which are not readily quantifiable in monetary terms.
Controls are exercised at both the initial claim stage and at subsequent stages during the claim life cycle. Claims are reviewed on a regular and targeted basis. Means-tested payments are reviewed at certain intervals or when there are indications that changes in circumstances have not been reported to the Department. Those in receipt of illness payments are called for a medical examination by the Department's medical assessors. Customers in receipt of unemployment payments are checked on a regular basis to verify continued compliance with such requirements as being available for and genuinely seeking employment.
Current measures to control fraud and abuse also include desk reviews of claim papers, home visits, the issue of mail-shots to selected customers, database checking and data matching with other organisations.
In addition, the Department’s Special Investigation Unit focuses on planned and systematic control activity and projects. The concentration is on those schemes and sectors where the incidence of social welfare fraud is most pronounced. It works in conjunction with other agencies to tackle social welfare fraud and abuse.
Furthermore INTREO, the integrated employment and support service currently being rolled out across the Department’s local office network, comprehensively seeks to activate and review customers, where up to now three separate agencies had this role. Arising from this, a more integrated approach to fraud control can now be realised.
The roll out of the Public Service Card is also well under way. From the Department’s perspective, the PSC gives significant assurance as to the identity of the cardholder as it is a secure card and will considerably reduce the potential for forgery.
I fully expect that my Department will achieve the 2013 control targets.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (315)
Brendan Griffin
Question:315. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20243/13]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 22nd April 2013. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Youth Guarantee
Questions (316)
John Paul Phelan
Question:316. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the introduction of a youth guarantee here; and the proposed pilot project in Ballymun, Dublin. [20245/13]
View answerWritten answers
The EU Council Recommendation on a Youth Guarantee received political agreement at the EPSCO Council meeting on February 28 and was formally adopted by the Council last week.
The Recommendation is that Member States should: Ensure that all young people under the age of 25 years receive a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.
While it is recommended that the guarantee should be implemented as soon as possible, it is recognised that implementation will be more gradual in the Member States experiencing the most severe budgetary difficulties and higher rates of youth unemployment. The government will now review the current range of youth employment policies in Ireland to assess what measures will need to be taken to commence the gradual implementation of the guarantee. This will include the identification of what would be the appropriate timescale for implementation in Ireland's current employment and budgetary circumstances.
The scale and nature of any additional measures required for the gradual implementation of a guarantee at national level will depend on the trend in youth unemployment, and in particular the number of young people likely to experience periods of unemployment of more than four months under current policies. In this context, it is a welcome development that the official labour market figures published by the CSO recently indicated that the number of young unemployed at the end of 2012, at 59,000, a reduction of almost 9,000 on the same time a year earlier. It is to be hoped that this is the beginning of a sustained downward movement in youth unemployment as the economy recovers. Even so, the implementation of a guarantee will, almost certainly, require an expansion in the range of opportunities currently on offer to young people in the form of further education and training, internships, subsidised private-sector recruitment, and supports for self-employment.
In this regard the State already provides a significant number of initiatives which are of relevance to young people and the Department of Social Protection took steps in Budget 2013 to increase funding and places for schemes such as JobBridge, Community Employment, TÚS and a new state employment scheme in the local Government sector. In total an additional 10,000 places will be provided. Other relevant provision is made through the training and education programmes delivered through FÁS and the further education sector.
The size and the timescale for any additional provision that is both desirable and feasible, over and above that outlined above, will be established over the coming months.
In this context, the Government intends to work with all relevant stakeholders to maximise the impact of a youth guarantee in Ireland. We have sought funding from the European Commission for a proposed pilot Youth Guarantee Scheme (YGS) in the Ballymun area of north Dublin, and numerous organisations (e.g. IBEC, Ballymun Job Centre, National Youth Council of Ireland) have agreed to participate in this pilot. We are currently waiting to hear from the European Commission as to whether or not our application has been successful. We have been informed that a final decision on our application will be made by the end of June.
Subject to approval from the Commission, the proposed Ballymun YGS pilot will look to develop an activation approach tailored to the needs of young people. It is intended that the Ballymun pilot YGS will, in respect of the target group of young people, guarantee access to career guidance/assistance leading to identification of an individual career plan for the young unemployed person with follow-through to training, education, work experience or full-time employment. Depending on the needs of the young individual the steps in the career plan might include personal assessment, job search assistance, skills training, work experience internships, but the objective in all cases will be to lead the young person to employment placement or further education or training. A particular focus of the pilot YGS will be to involve, and build links with, employers in the locality and the immediate hinterland in order to ensure that the guidance and training elements of the YGS are tailored to the needs of the local labour market and also to generate work placement/experience opportunities for the YGS participants.
Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times
Questions (317)
Clare Daly
Question:317. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time in the past 12 months for a review, in line with the relevant social welfare legislation, to be carried out by the chief appeals officer, of appeals already decided by appeals officers. [20248/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the information sought by the Deputy is not available.
Processing times in relation to appeals are measured and reported by an ICT system in the Appeals Office. Reviews by the Chief Appeals Officer are not tracked on this system. When a review is requested, the files in question are recalled from the Department and, following the review, all papers are returned to the Department.
However I can confirm that the Chief Appeals Officer conducted 39 such reviews in the past year.
Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility
Questions (318)
Paschal Donohoe
Question:318. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the current social welfare entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20252/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned submitted an application for jobseeker’s allowance on 8 April 2013. However, as she is currently employed 2 days per week with weekly assessable earnings of €218.44 which equates to weekly means of €107.00, her claim was disallowed on the basis that her weekly means exceeded that amount of jobseeker’s allowance that would have been payable to her. For a 21 year old person this is a maximum of €100.00 per week. The person concerned was advised of this decision on 12 April 2013, and was also advised that she could consider re-applying after her 22nd birthday if her weekly earnings remained at their current level.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (319)
Jim Daly
Question:319. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20268/13]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 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 (320)
John Perry
Question:320. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance application will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20269/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 2 April 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.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (321)
Derek Nolan
Question:321. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of persons in reciept of social welfare payments in a town (details supplied) in County Galway, between 2007 and 2012, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20271/13]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is collated at county level only by my Department annually for inclusion in the Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services report. The number of persons living in Galway County in receipt of a Social Welfare payment, where available, is listed by each category of payment in the attached tabular statement for the years 2007 to 2012.
Recipients of Social Welfare Payments in County Galway 2007 to 2012
|
Type Of Payment |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
7,900 |
7,896 |
7,811 |
7,768 |
7,692 |
7,632 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
8,469 |
9,059 |
9,657 |
10,351 |
11,183 |
12,043 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
297 |
286 |
328 |
444 |
530 |
571 |
|
Widow, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension |
4,740 |
4,796 |
4,852 |
4,972 |
5,031 |
5,141 |
|
Death Benefit |
16 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
16 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance(1) |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
14,201 |
14,365 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
3,102 |
3,483 |
3,397 |
3,604 |
2,971 |
3,126 |
|
Widow, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Non-Contributory Pension |
175 |
160 |
146 |
141 |
147 |
142 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
40 |
34 |
32 |
27 |
25 |
20 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1,750 |
2,490 |
3,037 |
2,446 |
2,153 |
1,995 |
|
Farm Assist |
781 |
782 |
954 |
1,133 |
1,137 |
1,112 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
451 |
385 |
333 |
265 |
208 |
162 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit(1) |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
4,510 |
3,970 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
276 |
263 |
251 |
247 |
240 |
235 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
1,191 |
1,283 |
1,212 |
1,245 |
1,346 |
1,291 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
3 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
Back to Education |
534 |
625 |
1,214 |
1,563 |
1,749 |
1,585 |
|
Back to Work Allowance |
403 |
191 |
101 |
41 |
5 |
2 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
206 |
382 |
365 |
527 |
711 |
747 |
|
Part-Time Job Incentive |
11 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
|
Community Employment Programme(2) |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
1,513 |
|
Tús - Community Work Placement Scheme(3) |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
227 |
|
Rural Social Scheme(4) |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
281 |
|
Disability Allowance |
5,347 |
5,683 |
5,859 |
5,967 |
6,085 |
5,920 |
|
Blind Pension |
83 |
78 |
77 |
80 |
82 |
83 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
2,236 |
2,709 |
2,958 |
3,071 |
3,104 |
3,098 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
1,315 |
1,359 |
1,328 |
|
Type Of Payment |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Illness Benefit |
2,623 |
2,793 |
2,946 |
3,152 |
2,901 |
2,642 |
|
Interim Illness Benefit |
20 |
38 |
22 |
14 |
12 |
27 |
|
Injury Benefit |
51 |
42 |
32 |
41 |
27 |
32 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,724 |
1,733 |
1,770 |
1,727 |
1,723 |
1,767 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
582 |
614 |
640 |
649 |
651 |
654 |
|
Carer' Benefit |
179 |
188 |
148 |
106 |
102 |
121 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
1,018 |
1,310 |
1,196 |
1,343 |
1,360 |
1,535 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
18 |
14 |
18 |
3 |
17 |
14 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
19 |
18 |
24 |
23 |
28 |
30 |
|
Child Benefit |
29,726 |
30,565 |
30,943 |
30,320 |
30,624 |
31,121 |
Live Register in county Galway 2007 to 2012
|
Galway |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Live Register |
9,755 |
16,479 |
22,722 |
23,099 |
22,588 |
22,081 |
(1) Numbers of recipient of jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit are not available prior to 2010.
(2) Responsibility for the expenditure in relation to FÁS Employment and Community Schemes transferred to the Department in January 2011 and information prior to 2011 is not available.
(3) Tús commenced in early 2011
(4) Rural Social Scheme transferred to the Department of Social Protection in September, 2010.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Questions (322)
Ciaran Lynch
Question:322. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the refusal of a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20272/13]
View answerWritten 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.
Question No. 323 answered with Question No. 283.
Invalidity Pension Appeals
Questions (324)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:324. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan may expect a decision on an invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20308/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 2 April 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.
Rent Supplement Scheme Administration
Questions (325)
Dominic Hannigan
Question:325. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review of the rent allowance is taking place for Meath; when the review will be finalised; when the new caps will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20312/13]
View answerWritten answers
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently over 86,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013.
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.
I have previously committed to a review of maximum rent limits by June. However, I am pleased to say that the review will be finished by the end of May, with new rent limits in place in early June. The review includes an analysis of the private rental market in Co. Meath.
Free Travel Scheme Administration
Questions (326)
Terence Flanagan
Question:326. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views regarding the free travel pass (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20314/13]
View answerWritten answers
There are currently in excess of 745,000 customers eligible for free travel and when spousal and companion passes are taken into account, there are over 1.1 million customers with some free travel eligibility. Expenditure on this scheme was frozen at 2010 levels by the previous Government. Expenditure for the free travel scheme in 2013 is set at €77 million.
The free travel scheme is currently available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over, to carers and to customers under 66 who are in receipt of certain disability type payments. The scheme permits customers to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, DART, LUAS and a range of services offered by up to 90 private operators in various parts of the country.
I have no plans to change the current qualifying criteria for the scheme. However, given the increasing number of recipients and the funding pressures, my Department along with representatives from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the National Transport Authority has been tasked to review the free travel scheme. The work of this group is expected to conclude mid-2013.
The purpose of this review is to examine and report on the current operation and future development of the free travel scheme including how the scheme is funded.
Household Benefits
Questions (327)
Terence Flanagan
Question:327. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the proposed communications licence will be covered under the household benefits package when it replaces the television licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20323/13]
View answerWritten answers
The household benefits package comprises the electricity/gas allowance, the telephone allowance and the free television licence. In 2013, my Department will spend an estimated €284 million on this scheme, providing some 410,000 customers with a package worth almost €700 per year. The estimated expenditure on the television licence element of the household benefits package for 2013 is €59 million.
The introduction of a household broadcasting charge in place of the current television licence funding regime is being considered by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. No decisions have been made at this time in relation to the household benefits package.
Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals
Questions (328)
Seán Fleming
Question:328. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for jobseeker's allowance will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20331/13]
View answerWritten 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 Allowance Applications
Questions (329)
Bernard Durkan
Question:329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in the determination of an application for jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20332/13]
View answerWritten answers
The jobseeker’s allowance application of the person concerned was disallowed on 26 April 2013 as he failed to provide documentary evidence to show that his means are less than the weekly rate of jobseeker’s allowance appropriate to his circumstances. He also failed to provide documentation to establish if he satisfies the habitual residency condition.
The person concerned has been advised of his right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Child Care Services Provision
Questions (330)
Terence Flanagan
Question:330. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that will be put in place to assist lone parents who do not get one of the 6,000 child care places made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20338/13]
View answerWritten answers
In December, 2012, I announced, along with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, a new pilot after-school child care scheme that will be funded from the transfer of savings from my Department as part of Budget 2013. The new pilot scheme will provide 6,000 after-school child care places and will cost €14 million.
The first pilot phase of the scheme commenced on 29 April, 2013 with 500 subsidised after-school child care places becoming available in seven designated Intreo and social welfare offices. The pilot will enable my Department to review the effectiveness of the scheme for its continued roll-out to the full 6,000 places by September, 2013.
The availability of these new child care places is a positive measure for lone parents and builds on my pledge to work to address the child care needs of lone parents as part of the reforms of the OFP scheme. It represents a further step in the Government’s long-term commitment to building a first-rate child care system for all families.
In addition to the 6,000 places available in this new initiative, lone parents are eligible to apply for the existing D/CYA childcare schemes. The D/CYA currently administer the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) schemes, through which child care is provided to some 40,000 children of low-income parents at reduced rates, as well as the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which is availed of by some 65,000 children every year.
Question No. 331 answered with Question No. 314.
Job Assist Scheme
Questions (332)
Tom Hayes
Question:332. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of JobBridge placements that have commenced nationally; the number of placements that have commenced in County Tipperary; the number of placements currently ongoing in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20344/13]
View answerWritten answers
As of 25 April 2013, 16,791 people had commenced JobBridge internships, 6,030 participants were participating on JobBridge internships and 2,443 internship opportunities were advertised on the JobBridge website.
As of the same date, there were 532 internships in County Tipperary since JobBridge commenced on 1 July 2011, of which 199 are currently ongoing, and there were 43 internship opportunities in County Tipperary advertised on the JobBridge website.
The Department has recently received an independent report on the scheme from Indecon Economic consultants and I expect to publish the report on 1 May.
Free Travel Scheme Applications
Questions (333)
Bernard Durkan
Question:333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if free travel passes will issue in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20345/13]
View answerWritten answers
It is not clear as to why the Deputy is querying these cases as free travel has been awarded in both instances for some considerable time. In the case of the first individual, a free travel pass was awarded on 31 May 2002; the second individual was awarded the free travel pass on 12 January 2004.
Asylum Support Services
Questions (334, 336)
Derek Nolan
Question:334. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the legislative basis for payments to asylum seekers in direct provision accommodation; the effect on these payments, if any, of the Social Welfare and Pensions (No.2) Act 2009, which precludes asylum seekers from being granted habitual residency status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20353/13]
View answer
Andrew Doyle
Question:336. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the legislative grounding for her Department's funding of payments made to asylum seekers in direct provision centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20361/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 336 together.
Since April 2000 the needs of asylum seekers are catered for under the direct provision system operated by the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice and Equality. Under the system asylum seekers are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities such as laundry services and access to leisure areas. To take account of the services provided, a direct provision allowance of €19.10 per adult per week and €9.60 per child per week is payable in respect of any personal requisites required.
Following the introduction of the statutory habitual residence condition in May 2004 and subsequent legislation, asylum seekers are not entitled to receive most social welfare payments. The payment of the weekly direct provision allowance is made on an administrative basis by this Department on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality.
It continues to be open to any asylum seeker to seek assistance for a particular once-off need by way of an exceptional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme as contained in Section 201 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. There is no automatic entitlement to an exceptional needs payment as each application is determined based on the particular circumstances of the case.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Questions (335)
Patrick Nulty
Question:335. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20358/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 April 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.
Question No. 336 answered with Question No. 334.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (337)
Brendan Griffin
Question:337. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person in (details supplied) County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20371/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person in question is caring for 2 people. I confirm that the department received applications for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 25th May 2012. The person concerned was refused carers allowance on the grounds that the care recipients are not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision and the reason for it. Additional medical evidence was received and forwarded to the Department’s medical assessor for consideration. However, this information did not alter the opinion of the medical assessor and the decision remained unchanged. The person in question appealed this decision and submitted additional medical evidence in support of the application on the 22nd of February 2013. This additional information was forwarded to the Department’s medical assessor for consideration. The additional medical evidence has been looked at by a medical assessor and the application is currently with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Community Employment Schemes Review
Questions (338, 339)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:338. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the report, Use of Community Employment Places in Community Childcare by Childcare Committees Ireland 2013, which concluded that current community employment schemes are not fit for purpose for community child care services due to scheme payment changes, insufficient financial rewards, high cost of child care and transport, four to eight months vacancy of posts and a 28% vacancy rate; the way she intends to reverse the current downward trend of the sustainability of these community employment schemes due to these changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20391/13]
View answerMaureen O'Sullivan
Question:339. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to speak with the Childcare Committee Ireland in relation to their report entitled, Use of Community Employment Places in Community Childcare 2013, and if she will introduce revised arrangements that address the issues of child care costs, adequate and sufficient training opportunities, quality of CE scheme since changes, suitability of applicants and broadening the qualification to include unemployed youth under 25 years of age, Garda vetting delays, scheme eligibility issues, scheme payment issues, insufficient rewards and re-entry in social welfare system concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20392/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
Officials from the Department have met with the Childcare Committee Ireland (CCI) in relation to their Report and in relation to the Department’s proposed changes to improve the quality of training provision and work experience for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. These changes include a review of the entry requirements to ensure suitable applicants with an interest and commitment to a career in childcare get the opportunity to gain valuable qualifications in the childcare sector. This will promote a career progression path and support the structure for CE workers in Early Services.
These improvements 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. The Childcare Committee Ireland has broadly welcomed these improvements.
It should be noted that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for the quality of childcare provision and the Department supports this through the provision of childcare places on CE. The Department is committed to best practice in recruitment and selection procedures which includes Garda vetting. I am aware of the increase in the time taken to process applications in recent months this matter has been drawn to the attention of the department concerned and the Garda Central Vetting Unit.
The Department of Social Protection is improving the provision of training and work experience for participants on CE overall. These improvements reflect the findings of a number of recent reviews – the “CE Financial Review of Schemes” (2012) and the “Review of the Department of Social Protection Employment Support Schemes” (2012). In response, the Department is planning a number of improvements which will provide a clear progression path and a structure for CE participants. There are no plans to extend the eligibility criterion relating to age at entry to 21 years.
The Department will continue to review schemes to ensure that there are adequate supports available to assist jobseekers and other disadvantaged groups and that the maximum utilisation and value is gained from Community Employment participation.
Special Areas of Conservation Designation
Questions (340, 342)
Robert Troy
Question:340. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a bog (details supplied) in County Westmeath is designated as either a natural heritage site or a special area of conservation; and if it will qualify for compensation. [19806/13]
View answer
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Question:342. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the 75 raised bogs which are designated national heritage areas, if he will assure the turf cutters that there will be no restrictions on cutting turf next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19945/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 342 together.
In May 2010, the then Government decided that turf-cutting should come to an end on all raised bog NHAs, at the end of 2013. The Programme for Government undertook to review the situation with regard to NHAs and the future of turf-cutting on such sites is being considered as part of that review. The review is currently underway and I hope will be completed by the autumn.
I intend for this review to bring clarity in regard to the future of turf-cutting on each of these sites. Turf-cutting on NHAs is an issue that has been raised by the EU Commission in its infringement proceedings against Ireland.
The bog referred to by the Deputy is designated as Lough Garr Natural Heritage Area by Statutory Instrument (S.I. No. 605 of 2003) and includes the townlands of Cappagh, Corrydonnellan and Joanstown in County Westmeath. My Department’s Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme is available only in respect of raised bog Special Areas of Conservation.
Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Issues
Questions (341)
Denis Naughten
Question:341. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a letter of offer under the turf compensation scheme will be issued (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/13]
View answerWritten answers
The individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question applied to sell his interest in land within a site designated as a special area of conservation, under the voluntary bog purchase scheme administered by my Department.
Following a review of the purchase file and inspection of the lands subject of this application, a letter of offer has recently issued to the applicant’s solicitor. When contracts for sale are received, they will be forwarded to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office with a view to proceeding with the purchase.
Question No. 342 answered with Question No. 340.
Languages Programme
Questions (343)
Joe McHugh
Question:343. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will engage with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government to develop a Gaeilge-Ulster Scots language tourism product; his views in this respect on Ulster-Scots culture in North America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19947/13]
View answerWritten answers
As I indicated in my response to Dáil question number 15 on 13 March 2013, my Department is actively engaged in language promotion with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government, particularly through the provision of funding and support for the work of the two agencies of An Foras Teanga, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. As previously outlined, one of the key priorities identified by the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2013 is to develop strategic national and international engagements with Scotland and with North America in order to widen access to, and appreciation of, Ulster-Scots culture and heritage.
I understand that the Ulster-Scots Agency has recently been in contact with Scottish MPs at Westminster with some very encouraging feedback and the Agency is now working to develop a framework for east-west activities, including for example, an educational exchange with councils in Ayrshire. In addition, it is envisaged that the Agency will bring a paper on east-west relations for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council later in the year.
The Ulster-Scots Agency already undertakes some activities in regard to promotion of Ulster-Scots in North America, including attendance at large-scale events like the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta, Georgia. The Agency will sponsor a New York tour of the play, "The Boat Factory" in June 2013, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland.
I should refer the Deputy again to the work of Colmcille, a partnership programme between Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to promote the use of Irish and Scottish Gaelic within Ireland and Scotland and also between the two countries. Through its work programme, Colmcille seeks to foster understanding of the diverse culture of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic communities and to encourage debate on common concerns with regard to social, cultural and economic issues with a view to building self-confidence within the respective language communities. In 2011, Colmcille launched Slí Cholmcille, a major heritage and cultural tourism trail linking sites in Ireland and Scotland. Further information is available at www.ulsterscotsagency.com and at www.forasnagaeilge.ie.
Official Engagements
Questions (344)
Andrew Doyle
Question:344. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the Secretary General of his Department, for the purpose of transparency and accountability, will publish his diary on the Department's website on a monthly basis. [19958/13]
View answerWritten answers
I have no principled objection to the publication of the Secretary General's diary on my Department's website, subject to any necessary redactions for confidentiality reasons. A considerable amount of information relating to the administration of my Department is currently published on the website and I would also point out that the diary and other relevant records are already available through the FOI process. However, arrangements will now be made to have the diary published on a quarterly basis.
Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options
Questions (345, 346, 347)
Brian Stanley
Question:345. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made in finding a relocation option for turf cutters on Coolrain bog, County Laois. [20362/13]
View answerBrian Stanley
Question:346. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the option of co-location of turf cutters and the special areas of conservation has been considered on Coolrain bog, County Laois. [20363/13]
View answerBrian Stanley
Question:347. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made with putting in place the plan for the 53 special areas of conservation; and the bogs for which it is proving difficult to find a solution. [20364/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 to 347, inclusive, together.
In April 2012, I secured the agreement of Commissioner Potocnik to the development of a National Raised Bog Special Area of Conservation Management Plan. This was in keeping with the recommendations of Justice Quirke following the Peatlands Forum and with the motion agreed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 7 March.
My Department has now engaged a team of specialists who are undertaking the necessary scientific work to underpin the National Plan and to inform the future restoration and management of each of the SACs. This work is being overseen by an independent steering group with input from the Peatlands Council. Draft proposals for each of the sites will be discussed with affected parties as part of this process.
The detailed exploration of relocation sites is a key element in progressing the National Plan. In collaboration with the Peatlands Council, and with the assistance of Bord na Móna, my Department is actively engaging with turf cutting communities to consider how relocation can be progressed.
The aim of my Department is to facilitate, as far as possible, those qualifying cutters who wish to continue to cut turf by putting in place relocation sites for as many cutters as possible in the shortest possible time. Given the complexities of the process it can take time to resolve all issues to finality even as new sites come on stream. The provision of financial payments or deliveries of turf is available to those awaiting relocation. My officials will continue to work with local groups on these issues within the principles of the relocation scheme.
Arrangements for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs have been made for groups from Clara Bog in County Offaly and from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog in County Galway.
My Department also envisages that qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog will be able to commence cutting in the relocation site during this turf cutting season provided that final agreement is reached with relevant cutters.
Of the remaining 49 raised bog SACs, potential relocation sites have been identified for a further 32 bogs and work is ongoing on identifying and investigating sites. Relocation is unlikely to be required, or is likely to be small-scale, for another 16 raised bog special areas of conservation.
Bord na Móna undertook a preliminary assessment of a potential relocation site for turf cutters on Coolrain Bog Special Area of Conservation on behalf of my Department. On the basis of this assessment, Bord na Móna has undertaken a stratigraphy assessment of this site in order to get a better indication of the quality and quantity of peat there. The stratigraphy report has recently been received by my Department. Officials from my Department will contact turf cutter representatives from Coolrain Bog shortly with a view to discussing the report and other relevant issues.
A payment of €1,500, index-linked, or a supply of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum is available under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to applicants from Coolrain Bog while awaiting relocation to a non-designated bog.
The continuation of cutting on parts of any raised bog SAC, such as Coolrain, may only be considered within the strict parameters of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, which prescribe the circumstances under which potentially damaging activities can be consented to. In the context of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, it may be possible to bring some flexibility, within the terms of the Habitats Directive, that could allow limited cutting within a small number of sites, if there are no alternatives.
I am determined that, in collaboration with the Peatlands Council and local turf-cutting communities, substantial progress will be made on the plan over the coming months. My Department has stepped up contact with turf-cutting groups to seek long-term solutions to the issues for their particular bogs, in compliance with EU and national law. I hope that the Plan can be completed by November, in time to submit an application to the European Commission under Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, if required, prior to the 2014 cutting season.
However, the engagement and agreement of turf-cutting communities to its proposed approaches will be essential to meeting this timeline, and to unlocking the potential flexibility it offers.