Written Answers Nos. 305-322
306. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6471/14]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 23rd November 2011. The person in question was refused carers allowance on the grounds that:
- the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations and
- that she was not providing full time care and attention as required.
The person concerned appealed this decision. The appeal was disallowed and the person was notified on 11 April 2013. The Social Welfare Appeals Office agreed to reopen the appeal and, following an oral hearing, the appeal was again disallowed. The person was notified of the outcome on this appeal 1st of November 2013.
Subsequently, on 6 January 2014, the Department received a new application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned. The application is currently with a social welfare investigative officer for assessment of the level of care being provided and confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the investigative officer has completed and submitted the report a deciding officer will make a decision on the new application. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
307. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of requests and observations the International Labour Organization has addressed to her regarding compliance with social and labour standards since March 2011. [6482/14]
View answer308. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the requests and observations addressed to her by the International Labour Organization; and the replies she sent to each request and observation. [6483/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together.
I understand from the Deputy’s office that the questions relate to the International Labour Organisation Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention 1952 (No. 102). Overall responsibility for the State’s engagement with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The Department of Social Protection provides the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with information as and when requested in relation to reporting on compliance with the social security standards as set out in the ILO Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention 1952 (No. 102). Since March 2011, that Department has made one such request in October 2011 seeking information in respect of Part IV (unemployment benefit) and Part XI (standards to be complied with by periodic payments) of the Convention for the year ending 30 June 2011. The requested information was provided in November 2011.
309. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection when an illness benefit file in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be forwarded to the appeals office in view of the fact that it was appealed on 19 August 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6484/14]
View answerThe above named customer attended a medical assessment in Buncrana on 24 July 2013 and was found to be not eligible for illness benefit. She appealed the decision and has been referred for a further medical assessment. Arrangements are being made to set up an in person, Appeal medical assessment with an alternative Medical Assessor during the week commencing 24 March 2014. A notification letter will issue to the applicant shortly.
311. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6525/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 17 September 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 23 January 2014 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) who is currently on disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6559/14]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
Under EU Law, social insurance contributions from another EU country may be used to satisfy the contribution conditions. The rate of IP payable under the legislation of most EU States is based on the proportion of contributions paid in that country to that of the total contributions paid. These are known as "B countries."
However, the remaining EU States which pay each qualifying person at the full rate are known as "A countries". Both this State and the United Kingdom are categorised as “A countries” in this regard.
In respect of “A countries”, the country where the last contribution was paid must assess, decide and pay, where appropriate, the claim under that country's own regulations.
This Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 30 October 2013. As the person’s concerned last insurable employment was in the United Kingdom it was therefore decided that, under EU law, his claim is proper to the U.K. authorities. The person concerned was notified of this on 14 November 2013 and advised this Department has transferred his claim to the relevant U.K. authorities, who will contact him directly regarding his claim.
The person in question is currently in receipt of maximum rate means-tested disability allowance (DA) from this Department. Should an IP claim be awarded by the U.K. authorities, he should notify DA section immediately so that his entitlement to DA may be reviewed in light of the increase in his means.
315. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on advertising by her Department and each agency under her aegis in 2013; if she will provide a breakdown on the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if she will provide the information in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6588/14]
View answerIn 2013 the total amount spent on advertising by my Department was €147,490. The breakdown by advertising type is outlined in the following table:
|
Advertising type |
Amount |
|
TV & Radio |
€19,595 |
|
Print Media |
€42,621 |
|
Hire of Equipment (Banner stands, etc.) |
€17,371 |
|
Posters/Leaflets/Flyers |
€39,947 |
|
Other Advertising |
€27,956 |
|
Total: |
€147,490 |
Expenditure on advertising by my Department falls into two main categories:
- routine newspaper advertising such as advising the public of permanent or temporary office closures and relocations, recruitment to local and branch offices, Christmas arrangements; and
- advertising to promote awareness of specific schemes and services which may include campaigns on radio, television and in the print media.
In recent years, the Department has increased its use of other media channels to disseminate information to reach a wider audience and minimise expenditure on advertising. These channels include press releases, website updates on www.welfare.ie and, more recently, information updates through the use of Twitter.
Where print media advertising is required, the Department ensures inclusion of any relevant local press together with the national press where appropriate.
In 2013 the total amount spent on advertising by agencies under the aegis of my Department was €271,503. The breakdown is outlined in the following table:
|
Advertising type |
Citizens Information Board |
Pensions Board |
Pensions Ombudsman |
|
TV & Radio |
€42,155 |
0 |
0 |
|
Print Media |
€116,154 |
€42,969 |
€15,170 |
|
Outdoor |
€4,144 |
0 |
0 |
|
Internet |
€5,658 |
€15,167 |
0 |
|
Advertising Agencies |
€18,942 |
€11,144 |
0 |
|
Total: |
€187,053 |
€69,280 |
€15,170 |
316. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6604/14]
View answerMy Department does not currently engage in real time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to social welfare, which are in the public domain and found on websites, blogs and social networks.
The Department provides a wide range of contact channels for its customers including LoCall telephone numbers, face to face in its network of local offices, e-mail, SMS (text), twitter, and through its website www.welfare.ie.
The Department keeps its contact channels under review in order to make full use of new and emerging technologies to broaden the choice of service delivery for customers.
317. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available for social welfare tenants where landlords will not accept rent allowance and are on council waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6627/14]
View answerThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. There are currently approximately 79,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.
Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department’s relationship is with the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their accommodation needs. There is no direct relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme. The tenant’s engagement with the Department usually takes place after the tenant has reached an agreement with the landlord.
I am aware that some landlords are advertising their property on public sites and stating that they are unwilling to accept rent supplement recipients as tenants. However, the fact that approximately 79,000 people are currently in receipt of rent supplement shows that a significant number of landlords are accommodating applicants of the scheme and that rent supplement recipients are able to access accommodation.
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 22 January 2014, if additional exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6690/14]
View answerAccording to the records of this Department there are currently no applications pending for an exceptional needs payment in the case of the person concerned. The person concerned can contact her local Community Welfare Service to make an application so that her entitlement to a payment can be assessed.
320. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue from the Social Welfare Appeals Board regarding the appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan. [6736/14]
View answerThe person concerned was notified on the 7th January 2014 that her domiciliary care allowance appeal was successful and that the allowance has been awarded from 1st June 2013. All arrears of payment due to her have issued.
321. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the previous provision with regard to a right of pensioner representation in pensions legislation; when this was removed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6755/14]
View answerThere has been no changes made to the Pensions Act regarding the representation rights of pensioners.
It is normal practice for my officials to engage with representatives of stakeholders in relation to any substantial change to the Pensions Act. The consultation process which preceded the publication of the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill, 2013 included engagement with representatives of pensioners, the pensions industry, employers and trade unions. Written submissions were also sought from these stakeholder groups.
Any scheme seeking to restructure pension scheme benefits under section 50 of the Pensions Act must comply with the provisions in the Pensions Act and with guidance issued by the Pensions Board. This guidance makes provision for the notification of all scheme members, including pensioners, in advance of any application to the Pensions Board. In such circumstances, each member has at least one month to make a submission to the trustees of the scheme in relation to such a proposal. The Pensions Board must be satisfied that all the provisions in the guidance are complied with before the Board will consider issuing a notice to restructure scheme benefits.
The matter of representation by pensioner groups in consideration of a change to scheme benefits might also be considered in a broader industrial relations context. This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and I have referred this matter to him for consideration.
