Written Answers Nos. 35-45
35. Deputy John Brassil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to examine and expedite an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9065/16]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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.
36. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress of an appeal for a state pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9066/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26th April 2016. 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.
37. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to restore the winter fuel allowance for a period to acknowledge the reality that many older persons are finding it difficult to heat their homes during the recent cold spell; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9113/16]
View answerThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to 391,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €224 million in 2016. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance as part of the household benefits package to approximately 419,000 customers, at an estimated cost of €228 million in 2016. Increasing the spending on any of these schemes would have budgetary consequences requiring additional funds, and I am not in a position to do this at the present time.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources – this may include exceptional heating costs.
The best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. My Department works closely with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on these issues and in moving forward the actions agreed in the Energy Affordability Strategy. In that regard, the Better Energy Homes scheme provides support towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades.
38. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 26 April 2016, to reassess the case of a person (details supplied) under the family income supplement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9117/16]
View answerThe rules that govern the FIS Scheme are set down in Social Welfare legislation.
This states that once FIS is granted, it is payable for a 52 week period and except where regulations otherwise provide, the weekly rate remains the same regardless of changes in circumstances. The only exception is an increase in rate following the addition of another qualified child through birth / fostering / adoption.
Increases or decreases in income after the date that from which FIS is awarded do not affect the weekly rate of payment.
The person concerned was awarded FIS from 08th October 2015 to 05th October 2016 and this payment will stay the same for the 52 weeks once the person continues to work a minimum of 19 hours per week.
39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why she has not made a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme given that the person lodged the application on 16 December 2015; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9161/16]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 16 December 2015.
A decision on this application is expected to be completed shortly and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, both the person concerned and his spouse are in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.
41. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for renewal by a person (details supplied) under the family income supplement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9181/16]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of family income supplement (FIS) and this weekly payment will be paid for 52 weeks until 15th June 2016.
I confirm that a FIS renewal application form has been received from this customer for the year from June 2016 to June 2017 and will be processed before his current FIS claim has expired. The person in question will be notified of the details once the renewal claim is processed.
42. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will process and pay an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability benefit scheme and the illness benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9190/16]
View answerIllness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit and this claim was received in my department on 8 Apr 2016. The person concerned is qualified for a graduated rate of illness benefit of 147.30 based on their earnings in the governing contribution year (2014).
The person concerned stated on their application that their spouse/partner is in receipt of jobseekers allowance. It was necessary to ascertain if a qualified adult increase was paid in respect of the person concerned before payment of illness benefit could commence.
Following a review of the case and the full entitlement due to the household, my department contacted the person concerned on 29 Apr 2016 and advised that it would be more financially beneficial to the household if the person concerned remained as a qualified adult dependent on their spouse/partner’s Jobseeker claim. The person concerned has confirmed that they wish to remain as a qualified adult dependent on their spouse/partner’s Jobseekers claim.
The household unit will receive the maximum amount payable taking account of their particular circumstances.
The person concerned should continue to submit weekly medical certificates for the award of credits while they are unfit for work, and submit a final medical certificate when they are fit to resume employment.
43. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) concerning high insurance premia incurred by taxi drivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8985/16]
View answerThe provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.
As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, may interfere in the terms of provision of insurance products. The EU legislative framework for insurance expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing, or terms and conditions of an insurance product.
Insurance Ireland operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. In the event that a person is unable to obtain a quotation for motor insurance or feels that the premium proposed or the terms are so excessive that it amounts to a refusal to give them motor insurance, they should contact Insurance Ireland, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, Telephone +353 1 6761820 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement.
44. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance his views that a large number of individual properties (details supplied) are either vacant and attracting anti-social behaviour elements or have been let to tenants who are the cause of anti-social behaviour; the number of properties in these categories; and if he will direct the banks to allow for ownership details to be made available. [8832/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the governance of the relationship between residential tenants and residential landlords is primarily a matter for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. In that regard, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides the main regulatory framework for the private rented residential sector and prescribes the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants and the Private Residential Tenancies Board is responsible for the resolution of disputes between tenants and landlords.
I am informed by the Central Bank that there were 1,760 principal dwelling houses (PDH) properties and 668 buy-to-let (BTL) properties in the possession of banks at the end of December 2015. However neither the Central Bank nor my own Department collect information about the occupancy of properties with mortgages that are in arrears.
The Deputy will also be aware that relationship frameworks are in place with the State owned banks which provide that the State will not intervene in the day-to-day operations of the banks or their management decisions. These frameworks are required to ensure that the banks are run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to ensure the value of the banks as an asset for the State.
In conclusion I would remind the Deputy that the Government strategy to deal with Mortgage Arrears has developed and been enhanced over recent years and over time additional measures have been introduced as the nature and circumstances of those in arrears has evolved. Data released by the Central Bank shows that PDH arrears have declined for the last ten quarters. However, a significant number of borrowers remain in arrears of more than two years and in May of last year the Government announced a package of further measures to assist distressed borrowers.
To date a cross-Departmental approach, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, has been adopted to address the problem of mortgage arrears, encompassing supervisory oversight of financial institutions by the Central Bank, significant reform to personal insolvency legislation, State-funded access to expert financial and legal advice for borrowers in arrears on their family home, and availability of a mortgage-to-rent option to enable eligible borrowers to remain in their homes as local authority, or approved housing body, tenants.
45. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the case of persons (details supplied) regarding property tax. [8845/16]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person in question has consistently failed to meet her Local Property Tax (LPT) obligations and has not engaged with Revenue on the issue despite having numerous opportunities to do so. Due to the level of non-engagement, Revenue was left with no alternative but to start debt collection action to secure the outstanding liabilities.
On foot of the Deputy's Question Revenue again tried to make direct contact with the person to discuss the issue but could not reach her. I am aware that the Deputy's office has now agreed to contact the person to encourage her to discuss the situation with Revenue. I am assured that if the person makes contact every effort will be made to agree a mutually acceptable arrangement. This may include a phased payment arrangement or a deferral of the liability depending on the specific circumstances.
