Written Answers Nos. 126-134
126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of jobseeker's allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3449/14]
View answerThe person concerned was requested to submit documentation to this Department in order to establish her means. To date this documentation has not been received therefore the calculation of any entitlement cannot proceed.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an increase in rent allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who can no longer meet the increasing cost of rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3450/14]
View answerThe person concerned has not made an application for rent supplement. This client has been issued a Rent Application Pack and a decision on her entitlement will be made when same is returned complete.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason jobseeker's allowance was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3453/14]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of a basic supplementary welfare allowance. There is no entitlement to this payment for periods spent temporarily or permanently outside of the State. The person concerned confirmed that he was outside of the state for the period 18 December 2013 to 7 January 2014. The payment of supplementary welfare allowance was reinstated with effect from 9 January 2014 as relevant documentation confirming the date of return to Ireland was provided by the person concerned.
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the child benefit entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3466/14]
View answerChild benefit is paid up to and including the month of a child’s 16th birthday and continues to the month of the 18th birthday provided the child is in full-time education. In order for payment to continue after the age of sixteen, it is necessary for the school to certify that the child is in full-time education and will be until the age of 18. In the case of the person concerned, a completed application form was received and child benefit was awarded to June 2012, the month of the daughter’s 18th birthday. Child benefit is not paid after the month of the 18th birthday even if the child remains in full-time education. Child benefit was paid to March 2013, the month of the 16th birthday, in respect of her son. An application form has been issued to the person concerned and should be completed if the child is in full-time education. Arrears will be paid from April 2013 and will continue to March 2015, the month of the 18th birthday, if the child remains in full-time education.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is expected to determine the appeal against refusal of disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3471/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3 December 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 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.
134. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2013; if he will further provide details of all the relevant fees paid to these firms during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3204/14]
View answerThe following table lists the consultants engaged by my Department in 2013 together with payments made from my Department's Administrative Budget. It may be noted that contracts for the provision of services are not included. Value for money is an overriding consideration in relation to the engagement of such consultants.
|
Company |
Amount paid |
|
Dorgan Associates |
€28,783 |
|
Northpoint Aviation Services Ltd |
€1,393 |
For completeness, I wish to bring to the Deputy's attention that from time to time my Department also commissions engineering or environmental experts to provide technical reports on specific issues as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as "consultancy services and policy reviews" and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
