Written Answers Nos. 116-121
116. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why a person (details supplied) with a child diagnosed with Crohn's disease has to wait so long for funding to be made available for necessary home adaptations. [16374/16]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities for various social housing supports, including for adaptations and extensions to the social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. Funding provided by my Department meets 90% of the cost of the works, with the local authority providing the remaining 10%.
My Department has no role in relation to individual applications and the administration of the available funding is a matter for the local authority based on their assessment of priority and need at the time. In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, I am advised that the local authority in question has only recently received an application in relation to this case, which is now being advanced by them.
118. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection why persons (details supplied) enrolled through the Swords Intreo service are not receiving a grant towards the cost of essential training tools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16250/16]
View answerThere is no provision within the existing funding streams of the Department of Social Protection to cover tools or other similar accoutrements that can assist a trainee in their work. The only support grant of such a nature within the Department provides for the direct cost of a training programme i.e. the technical support grant. In this instance the cost of training is being already covered and it is not possible to provide an additional subsidy. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
119. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will issue a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16302/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 24 February 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
120. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will issue a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16303/16]
View answerThe application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 13 June 2016 and the first payment is due to issue to the person's nominated post office on 23 June 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 24 March 2016 have issued to the post office for payment on 23 June 2016. The person concerned was notified of these details on 13 June 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
