Written Answers Nos. 42-49
42. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when a jobseeker's allowance will be restored fully, including any arrears, in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Kildare indicated that they would be out of the jurisdiction for two weeks; if full rent support and any arrears of basis payment are paid up to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4194/15]
View answerJobseeker's allowance has been fully restored in the case of the person concerned and all arrears due will be included in her next payment on 3 February 2015. Rent supplement is being paid at the correct rate for a person or her circumstances. No arrears are outstanding.
The person concerned should inform the local office if she is going to be out of the jurisdiction for two weeks.
43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois whose parent is an Irish citizen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4195/15]
View answerThe Personal Public Service Number is the individual’s unique reference number for all dealings with Government Departments and public bodies.
Residents who do not have a PPS Number and need one should complete an application form (REG 1), attend in person at a PPS Number allocation centre, provide acceptable evidence of identity and address, demonstrate the reason why s/he requires the allocation of a PPS Number, and facilitate the capture of a photograph and signature. The nearest PPS Number allocation centre for the person concerned is the Department’s Branch Office in Portlaoise.
I have made enquiries, and the Department is not aware of an application for a PPS Number for the person concerned. I understand that the Deputy has been advised that attendance in person is required, been given details as to where the person should attend and what documents are required.
44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that there will be no change to the status of her Department's offices in Ballybay, County Monaghan; that the work undertaken and services provided from this office will remain in Ballybay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4221/15]
View answerTwenty nine staff occupying two adjoining buildings on Main St. in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan were redeployed from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the Department of Social Protection in July 2012. The staff are engaged in the processing of the Public Services Card. The operations have recently been expanded to include eight additional temporary staff and unfortunately the current facilities are not considered appropriate for the existing business processes or to accommodate the recently expanded operation.
I am advised that the Office of Public Works have investigated all of the options in Ballybay and have inspected a number of properties, with a view to adapting a number of buildings to meet the Department of Social Protection's requirements. The position is that a significant investment would be required to bring the proposed properties up to modern standards. In addition, other technical surveys and reports, planning permission, fire certification and physical works would take approximately one year to complete. Unfortunately, this timeframe is not commensurate with the Department's business requirements and the need to establish a Public Service Card Centre in the County, which is badly needed and is now an urgent requirement. Consequently, neither my officials, nor the OPW, consider that the properties on offer in Ballybay could meet the requirements in terms of both cost and time and a decision has been made to move the current facilities to Monaghan Town and combine it with a public, customer facing facility to serve the people of Monaghan.
45. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the Pensions Board (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4225/15]
View answerLegislation enacted in 2013 provides that the Pensions Council will comprise:
- A chairperson,
- One member nominated by the Minister as a representative of the Department of Social Protection,
- The Pensions Regulator (formerly called the chief executive of the Pensions Board),
- One member nominated by the Minister for Finance as a representative of the Central Bank,
- One member nominated by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as a representative of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform,
- Not fewer than 4, and not more than 8, other members each of whom the Minister considers to have the relevant skills, specialist knowledge, experience or expertise to enable him or her to carry out his or her functions under the Pensions Act.
The recruitment process for “other members” of the Pensions Council was conducted through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in 2014. People interested in serving as members of the Pensions Council were invited to make expressions of interest to the PAS and 56 such applications were received. These applications have been carefully considered, and appointments are imminent.
The Pensions Council will provide an opportunity for experts from the pensions sector and consumer and pensioner interests to provide collective advice, information and assistance on the development of pension policy.
46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the correct level of jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4226/15]
View answerAccording to the information available to this Department the correct level of jobseeker’s allowance in the case of the person concerned is as follows:
Correct level of jobseeker’s allowance
|
Personal Rate |
€188.00 |
|
Increase for Qualified Adult |
€124.00 |
|
Fuel Allowance |
€ 20.00 |
|
Sub Total |
€332.00 |
|
Less Means |
€54.00 |
|
Weekly rate |
€278.00 |
If the person concerned wishes to have his means reviewed he can request same at his local office.
47. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the criteria for entitlement to respite care grant persons who are not in receipt of carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4245/15]
View answerThe Respite Care Grant (RCG) is paid automatically in June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), to carers getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance from the Department.
A person who is not in receipt of any of the above payments but carrying out caring duties may qualify for payment of the grant if s/he is over 16, ordinarily resident in the State, caring for a person for at least six months (to include the first Thursday in June,) and living with the person being cared for (or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication.)
However, where a person is living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution, or is working more than 15 hours per week outside the home, taking part in an education or training course for more than 15 hours a week, or is in receipt of a jobseeker's payment or signing on for jobseeker credits, s/he will not qualify for RCG.
48. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4260/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 January 2015. 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.
49. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total number of representations in written or oral form she or her officials or advisers have received from a person (details supplied) seeking persons to be appointed to positions that fall under her remit since March 2011; if she will provide the details of these persons of whom the Member made representations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4280/15]
View answerThere were no representations in written or oral form received by me or by my officials or advisers from Members of the Oireachtas seeking persons to be appointed to positions or boards under my remit since March 2011.
