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Thursday, 16 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 166-178

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Questions (166)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when refusal of domiciliary care allowance will be reconsidered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2152/14]

View answer

Written answers

The age limit for receipt of domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is 16 years. As the child concerned reached the age of 16 years in July 2013, DCA is no longer payable after that date. A letter issued in March 2013 advising that payment of the allowance was due to end in July 2013 and that the child could apply for disability allowance in his own right.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications

Questions (167)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the relevant basic social welfare payment, jobseeker's allowance or disability allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2153/14]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned made a claim for supplementary welfare allowance at my Department's Homeless Person's Unit on 4th October 2013. His claim was disallowed on the basis that he did not satisfy the habitual residence condition as he failed to supply adequate documentary evidence of his income as requested.

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Questions (168)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full extent of rent allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2154/14]

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Written answers

The person concerned submitted an application for a rent supplement on 04 November 2013. As the person concerned has not submitted all the documentation requested in order to process the application, it is not possible to determine an entitlement. The person concerned can contact the office processing her application and submit the outstanding documentation in order to progress the application.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (169)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the serious hardship being caused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if, in the circumstances, rent support will be approved in view of the fact that rents in the area generally are up to 40% higher than that charged in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2156/14]

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Written answers

The 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. There are currently approximately 80,000 rent supplement recipients for whom the Government has provided over €403 million in 2013. Revised rent limits under the rent supplement scheme have come into force with effect from Monday 17 June 2013 and will be in place until 31 December 2014. The new rent limits were determined following an extensive review to ensure availability of accommodation for rent supplement tenancies rather than provide rent supplement tenants with access to all housing in all areas.

The Department currently funds approximately 30% of the private rented sector so it is essential that the rent limits are kept under review. Analysis shows that for Kildare, rental accommodation is available for rent supplement tenancies within the prescribed limits. The number of rental properties available in North Kildare is somewhat lower than the numbers available in the rest of the county with very low levels of available properties for new tenancies. Latest figures show that there are approximately 1,000 rent supplement recipients in the North Kildare area, with approximately 350 persons in receipt in the Celbridge area. These figures indicate that accommodation can be secured within the rent supplement limits.

In the case of this client, she is in receipt of rent supplement since the 1st May 2007 which continued until her claim was reviewed in November 2013 as a consequence of rent limit changes introduced in Budget 2013. The client was given a reasonable amount of time, originally 13 weeks, extended by a further 2 months, to locate alternative accommodation or to reduce her rent to the appropriate limit, as defined by legislation. Her rent supplement payment remains in suspense until confirmation of same.

Social Welfare Overpayments

Questions (170)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding determination in respect of alleged overpayment of one-parent family allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 whose case was determined by way of oral hearing of which the applicant was not aware and did not attend; if a further hearing will be arranged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2157/14]

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Written answers

The person concerned did not attend a scheduled oral hearing relating to an appeal against a decision of an overpayment of one-parent family payment for the period 12 June 2008 to 31 December 2008. It is open to the person concerned to contact the Social Welfare Appeals Office to seek a further hearing in relation to this matter.

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Questions (171)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if fuel allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2158/14]

View answer

Written answers

In addition to a number of other criteria a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment from this Department for a minimum of 390 days in order to qualify for a fuel allowance. The person concerned has been in receipt of a jobseeker's allowance since 01 May 2013 and has been paid for 219 days up to 14 January 2014. Accordingly she does not meet the criteria for the payment of a fuel allowance at this time.

Child Benefit Appeals

Questions (172)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will again review the application for child benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2160/14]

View answer

Written answers

In this case, the children's mother had previously applied for child benefit. Her claim was disallowed in September 2012, as she did not satisfy the habitual residence condition. The person concerned subsequently applied for child benefit on behalf of her grandchildren. This claim was also disallowed on the 17th of January 2013, as she was not deemed to be the qualified person in the household to claim the benefit in accordance with Social Welfare legislation.

The children's mother has since appealed the decision made on her own claim and her file is currently with the Appeals Office. While that appeal is ongoing the Department is not in a position to review the claim of the person concerned.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (173)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will restore rent support to the maximum level in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2163/14]

View answer

Written answers

Budget 2014 introduced changes to the minimum contribution towards Rent Supplement and Mortgage Interest Supplement for couples from €35 to €40 for new and existing recipients. This equates to a supplement reduction of €21.60 per calendar month to the client in question. This change further aligns contributions to the schemes with Local Authority rents structures.

One-Parent Family Payment Applications

Questions (174)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full payment entitlement in respect of one-parent family allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2166/14]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned is entitled to a one-parent family payment of €235.10 per week. This figure is made up of a personal allowance of €188, two qualified child allowances of €29.80 for each child and a fuel allowance of €20, less means of €32.50. The payment in respect of the second qualified child was authorised on 14 January, 2014. Arrears in respect of this additional payment will issue shortly.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (175)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2167/14]

View answer

Written answers

The client is in receipt of her full entitlement to rent supplement based on her current household circumstances. The client's monthly rent entitlement decreased from 1 November 2013 due to commencement on a FÁS course.

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Questions (176)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

176. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta céard é líon na scoláirí a d’fhreastail ar Choláistí Samhraidh faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge gach bliain le deich mbliana anuas; cén méid airgid san iomlán a íocadh faoin scéim gach bliain agus cén soláthar airgid a bheidh ann faoin scéim seo do 2014; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2052/14]

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Written answers

Tugann an tábla thíos sonraí maidir le líon na bhfoghlaimeoirí a d'fhreastail ar choláistí Gaeilge idir 2004 agus 2013 agus caiteachas mo Roinne faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge.

Bliain

Líon Foghlaimeoirí

Caiteachas na Roinne

2004

24,577

€3,638,029

2005

25,203

€4,260,625

2006

26,645

€4,816,150

2007

26,271

€5,294,957

2008

28,112

€5,593,486

2009

27,586

€5,593,458

2010

25,120

€4,727,849

2011

24,714

€4,446,159

2012

23,840

€4,051,424

2013

22,798

€3,772,754

Tá €6.1 milliún curtha ar fáil i maoiniú reatha do mo Roinn sna Meastacháin in 2014 le haghaidh na Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeltachta, lena n-áirítear Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (177)

Niall Collins

Question:

177. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion on which a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1846/14]

View answer

Written answers

The following table lists the occasions on which photographers were booked for events for the period since the establishment of my Department in June 2011 to date, the photographers or photographic companies engaged, and the actual or estimated cost associated with each specific occasion. The total cost amounts to €9,209.55. This includes costs both for the booking of photographers and some general ancillary costs, such as postage etc, where relevant. In a small number of cases, final invoices are still awaited.

Occasion

Photographer

Cost

Edinburgh Festival Fringe event

Alastair Devine

€362.23

Launch of Introduction of Architectural Heritage of County Galway

Joe Travers

€100

Culture Night, Dublin

Maxwell Photography

€599.25

2011 National Famine Commemoration, Clones

Philip Fitzpatrick

€400

2011 Open House Dublin, Lir Theatre, in conjunction with the Irish Architecture Foundation

Alice Clancy

€0.00*

2011 National Famine Conference, Dublin

Bernie McMahon (Mac Innes Photography)

€370.87

Release of White-Tailed Sea Eagles, Killarney National Park

Valerie O'Sullivan

€120

Launch of National Biodiversity Plan, Botanic Gardens, Dublin (2011)

Mac Innes Photography

€283.75

British-Irish Council Ministerial Meeting (Minority Languages Sector), Co Donegal

Tommy Curran

€80

Launch of Treaty Online Project, National Archives, Dublin

Mac Innes Photography

€341.83

Ballycroy National Park Whaling Exhibition

Eamonn O'Boyle

€320

Official Opening of Burren National Park Information Centre, Corofin

Nicholas Mac Innes

€550

Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference 2012 event

Erin Baiano

€347.89

CITES meeting March 2012

Mac Innes Photography

€283.75

Commemoration at Teampallín Bán Famine Graveyard

Domnick Walsh Photography

€205.70

Launch of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918 at national Museum

Lensmen

€209.10

Launch of Culture Connects initiative

Maxwell

€397.29

Presentation of coin find to National Museum

Maxwell

€466.17

Launch of Arts in Education initiative

Maxwell

€276.75

Display of coin find in National Museum at Collins Barracks

Maxwell

€413.28

Launch of Century Ireland website

Maxwell

€362.85

Seoladh Scéim Oiliúna Peile & Iománaíochta ar an gCeathrú Rua

Pixsheáin

€147.60

Dublin Launch of Venice Artist Biennale April 2013

Lensman & Associates

€307.50

International Famine Commemoration

Maxwell Photography

€311.19

National Famine Commemoration, Drogheda

Paul Connor Photography

€295.20

Commemoration at Teampaillín Bán Famine Graveyard

Dominick Walsh Photography

€205.70

National Famine Commemoration (Presidential)

Philip Fitzpatrick

€400.00

Presentation of European Diploma of Protected Areas (Burren, Co. Clare)

Eamon Ward

€332.10

Europeana Conference on Digitisation, Dublin Castle

Maxwell

€356.70

Photocall for successful artists attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013

Maxwell

€362.85

* Part of a package of two events for the price of one.

The hiring of photographers for Ministerial or Departmental events is dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of the engagement, the expected level of media interest and the national/regional scope of the subject. At all times, value for money is a critical consideration in the context of the booking of photographers.

Public Relations Contracts Data

Questions (178)

Niall Collins

Question:

178. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will detail, in tabular form, the external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the uses of each external public relations firm; his internal Department policy regarding employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1860/14]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Name of Company

Service Provided

Total payments between 9 March 2011 to 12 June 2013

Zoetrope

Provision of press and publicity, online and social media services to Culture Ireland for the duration of the Imagine Ireland programme 2011 (€97,495).

Provision of PR and Media services to Culture Ireland for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2012 (€6,983).

€104,478

Total Expenditure

-

€104,478

The engagement of external groups for the provision of specialised services, including public relations firms, is dependent on a number of factors, including the expertise and resources available within my Department. In this context, value for money is at all times a critical consideration.

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