Written Answers Nos. 91-97
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 49610/13 of 19 November 2013, if arrears are payable retrospectively in respect of the person and their spouse; if any further arrears are outstanding in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51231/13]
View answerThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory), including an increase for a qualified adult in respect of his spouse. His application was disallowed as he had insufficient contributions to qualify under Irish legislation. His entitlement to State pension (contributory) under EU Regulations is currently being examined and he has been awarded a pro-rata State pension (contributory) on a provisional basis, payable from a current date only. He has been requested to supply additional information, and, when this information is received, his claim will be reviewed and finalised without delay, and any arrears due will be paid.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to basic social welfare payment and/or jobseeker's allowance-adult dependant allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51232/13]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of a weekly payment of supplementary welfare allowance for herself and her dependant children as she has insufficient contributions to qualify for an illness benefit payment. She does not satisfy the conditions for a jobseeker’s allowance payment while she is ill and unable to seek employment. She will continue to receive a supplementary welfare allowance payment while she continues to be certified as ill and no changes in her circumstances occur which affect her entitlement.
93. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51267/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 August 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
94. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51283/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was received in that office on 17 September 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
95. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when compensation payment under the Twelve Bens-Maam Turk complex scheme will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51176/13]
View answerMy Department has received and processed the application form for the individual referred to by the Deputy and payment should issue to the person in the next two weeks.
96. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding is available to establish a garden (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51164/13]
View answerI welcome the active consideration by community groups of initiatives of the nature referred to by the Deputy and I am aware that several community-based projects have been completed in recent years through voluntary action and local fund-raising, providing gardens or other memorials as monuments that will endure for years to come. In some cases, local authorities were able to contribute sites or services towards the developments. There is, however, no available funding at this time for projects of this nature.
97. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale behind imposing an obligation on local government employees to retire at the age of 65 without the option of working on until they reach the pensionable age of 66; his views that it is an extraordinary situation where these people are being forced to retire, leaving an already stretched local government with an even greater staffing shortage as under the moratorium these positions will not be filled while at the same time adding additional obligations onto the Department of Social Protection as these people will be forced to make applications for jobseeker's allowance; if he will commit to looking into the possibility of permitting those affected to extend their service up to the age of 66 and allow them to make a valid contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51152/13]
View answerUnder current Local Government Superannuation Scheme rules, most employees appointed prior to 1 April 2004 must retire by the age of 65. There are no plans to extend this retirement age. The minimum retirement age for employees appointed between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 is 65 but they may work beyond that date. Employees appointed since 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and for most members their minimum pension age is linked to the State Pension age.
