Written Answers Nos. 82-88
82. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection when a determination will be made on an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork to her Department's scope section; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4563/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 27th January 2014, 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.
84. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 was refused a back to education allowance when previously informed by a social welfare office that he or she would qualify; where in the primary legislation does it state that a person cannot get BTEA for a semester; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4571/14]
View answerThe back to education allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme that enables those in receipt of certain social welfare payments to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held. The scheme operates on the basis of non-statutory rules and guidance. A person wishing to pursue BTEA will have to satisfy a number of conditions such as being a certain age, in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the national framework of qualifications among others. The BTEA is designed to support the person for study for the full academic year rather than on a modular or semester basis. Given the nature of BTEA, no provision is made to allow a person to complete an individual semester of a full-time course.
The person in question was approved for the BTEA for the academic years 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13. My understanding is that the person did not complete the academic year 2012/13 and BTEA was discontinued.
85. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding employment rights in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4578/14]
View answerEmployment rights are a matter for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Further information regarding individual terms and conditions of employment and advice is available from the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). http://www.employmentrights.ie/en/Contact_Us/Contact_Details/
87. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her departmental contracts for taxi companies, for the purpose of providing taxis for the use of departmental staff, are decided and allocated; if there is a public tender process for taxi companies wishing to apply for these contracts; the process for allocating the contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4650/14]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection does not have a contract with any taxi company nor does it engage in a public tender process for taxi services. Staff requiring taxi services can engage with a company of their choice and can subsequently claim from their travel and subsistence cost centre using vouched receipts where a taxi is used for work purposes.
The Department of Social Protection does hold an account with Dublin Radio Cabs plc. for taxi services in the Dublin area. Staff availing of such taxis services can do so where the taxi service is required for work purposes. Fares for taxi services are regulated and in line with the National Maximum Taxi Fare.
88. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will expedite same. [4661/14]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance from the person in question on the 21st January 2014. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
