Written Answers Nos 131-142
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the procedures for examination of all applications for social protection payments can be standardised and streamlined to eliminate any possible delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18886/16]
View answerOne of the main priorities for the Department is to build on achievements already made to integrate services into a new service delivery model and streamline the applications process for all schemes.
Staff in my Department administer over 70 different schemes and services. The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments can also require more detailed investigation and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision making process.
It is the policy of the Department to standardise and simplify its application forms as much as possible. The design of the medical elements of application forms is undertaken in consultation with the Department’s Chief Medical Adviser and Deputy Chief Medical Adviser.
As part of the Department’s service delivery modernisation programme, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised.
The new Intreo service integrates employment services and the traditional income support model, providing for a streamlined and personalised service to Jobseekers. Intreo centres have also introduced an integrated decision-making team to further streamline the processes formerly undertaken by former Local Office staff, Social Welfare Inspectors and the Community Welfare Service.
I wish to assure the Deputy that prompt processing of claims remains a priority for my Department. Each scheme area is monitored on an on-going basis and processing procedures are reviewed to ensure that claims are paid to customers as quickly as possible.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when he will arrange an increase to full rent support in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18888/16]
View answerThe client concerned has been requested to provide the Department with up to date documentation regarding changes to their rate of rent payable. On receipt of same the claim will be re-assessed with regard to entitlement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) can expect a seamless transfer through existing or other relevant payment given their acceptance in a third level institution and that they have been in receipt of disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18889/16]
View answerThe person in question is currently in receipt of disability allowance (DA). We are awaiting details regarding his acceptance in a third level institution. DA will remain in payment as long as the person in question fulfils the criteria for the scheme. When the information regarding his further education has been received, he will be advised further of his options.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when the long-standing dispute between a person (details supplied) and his Department can be brought to a conclusion in respect of the person's application for exceptional needs payments, the refusal of which is causing hardship; if arrangements will be made for a social worker to make contact with the person in the event of prolongation of the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18898/16]
View answerParliamentary Question No. 202 [14192/16] refers payment of carer’s allowance to the person concerned was terminated in January 2016, when means were not disclosed during the course of a review of entitlement. The person concerned has appealed this decision and her case is currently with the social welfare appeals office hearing. Entitlement to rent supplement is based on household means and cannot be determined in this case until all relevant requested documentation is submitted in support of this application. Payment of rent supplement is currently suspended.
The person concerned applied for an exceptional needs payment (ENP) in Mid-June 2016. During the application process, documentation was requested from the person concerned to demonstrate how she had funded foreign travel which she had undertaken previously. This documentation was not provided and the person concerned was issued with a refusal in writing to the ENP application. The person concerned was advised of her right to seek a review of this decision and she is currently engaged in that process.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the minimum amount of public liability insurance cover that community employment schemes are required to have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18924/16]
View answerThe minimum limit of indemnity for public liability insurance for a community employment scheme is currently set at €6.5 million. This amount of cover is industry-standard for the community and voluntary sector in Ireland.
137. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the way an overpayment occurred in the case of a person (details supplied); if he will pay in full the amount due to them relative to their carer's allowance claim and deduct €20 per week to cover the debt repayment plan given the financial pressures of the case. [18929/16]
View answerMy department is obliged to recover all debt owed to it as quickly as possible and within the relevant legislation and guidelines governing the recovery of debt. The person concerned has an outstanding debt due to my department and proposals on its recovery have been made to her.
The debt arose during the period from 28 April 2014 to 14 October 2014 while the person concerned was in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance and was caused by her claiming payment in respect of an increase for a qualified adult to which she was not entitled.
The person concerned was offered the opportunity to comment on the recovery proposals.
The person concerned responded on 22 June 2016 with her comments. Having taken these comments into account, my Department has decided to deduct €20.00 per week from her carer’s allowance weekly payment from 7 July 2016. Furthermore, the Department proposes to withhold some of the arrears due against the debt. Accordingly, the sum of €1,000 is being withheld and the balance of arrears due will issue to the person in question shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
138. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will reach a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the farm assist scheme. [18993/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 5th January 2016. I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has referred the case back to the Department of Social Protection for review. As soon as the review is complete, the Appeals Officer will complete his/her consideration of the appeal.
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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application form in respect of a claim for child benefit has been received from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19029/16]
View answerI can confirm that an application for child benefit has been received from the person concerned. This claim has now been awarded and all arrears due for the period January 2014 to June 2016 will issue by cheque to her home address in the coming days. Payment for July will be available for collection at the nominated Post Office from Tuesday the 5th of July.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
140. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade why a plane of the United States of America (details supplied) was given permission to land at Shannon Airport in County Clare on 26 June 2016, given that the plane is a multi-role warplane; if he is aware that the military personnel who disembarked were special forces of the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19018/16]
View answerIn response to a request from the US Embassy, my Department granted clearance for a landing by the aircraft to which the Deputy refers. Permission was granted on the basis that the aircraft was unarmed and carried no arms, ammunition or explosives, would not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flight in question would not form part of military exercises or operations.
In considering requests for the landing of foreign military aircraft, my Department’s primary focus is on whether the flights in question comply with these conditions which do not include a requirement in relation to the numbers and designation of passengers.
141. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he gave permission on 25 June 2016 for a United States of America military plane (details supplied) to land at Shannon Airport in County Clare, given that these aircraft are used to provide cargo and passenger transportation, as well as forward deployment logistics support and special missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19019/16]
View answerIn response to requests from the US Embassy, my Department granted permission for landings by the aircraft to which the Deputy refers. Permission was granted on the basis that the aircraft were unarmed and carried no arms, ammunition or explosives, would not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flights in question would not form part of military exercises or operations.
142. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the European Union funding specifically for North-South projects; the amount of co-funding provided by the Irish State to these projects, in each of the years from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/16]
View answerDuring the period 2011 to 2015 North/South projects received EU funding under the PEACE III and INTERREG IVA Programmes. Both Programmes are managed by the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB), a North/South Body co-sponsored by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform in Ireland and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland.
The objective of the PEACE III Programme was to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland. 215 projects were funded under the Programme, which had a total budget of €333 million.
The objective of the INTERREG IVA Programme was to support strategic cross-border co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region. 88 projects were funded under the Programme, which covered the border region of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland and had a total budget of €256 million.
Both Programmes received co-funding from a range of Accountable Departments in Ireland and Northern Ireland, while Scotland also co-fund the INTERREG Programme. In the case of PEACE, total Irish match funding was €54 million, while in the case of INTERREG, total Irish match funding was €18 million.
The match funding provided by Ireland for the years 2011-2015 is detailed in the tables.
|
PEACE III |
ERDF (Total) |
Match Funding (IRL) |
|
2011 |
€36,885,396.23 |
€9,022,677.34 |
|
2012 |
€29,284,464.73 |
€7,163,371.26 |
|
2013 |
€35,770,256.47 |
€8,749,880.01 |
|
2014 |
€39,064,436.20 |
€9,555,670.62 |
|
2015 |
€34,001,639.96 |
€7,961,110.97 |
|
TOTAL |
€175,006,193.59 |
€42,452,710.20 |
|
INTERREG IVA |
ERDF (Total) |
Match Funding (IRL) |
|
2011 |
€18,688,913.12 |
€1,986,987.28 |
|
2012 |
€25,421,915.57 |
€2,204,605.34 |
|
2013 |
€32,096,411.69 |
€2,541,160.62 |
|
2014 |
€40,626,782.00 |
€3,252,142.68 |
|
2015 |
€35,479,642.24 |
€2,758,523.44 |
|
TOTAL |
€152,313,664.62 |
€12,743,419.36 |
I am pleased that the Irish Government was able to secure the approval of the European Council for €150 million of EU funding towards a new cross-border PEACE Programme for the period 2014-2020, and that the UK Government subsequently decided to allocate an additional €50 million from its European Regional Development Fund allocation to the Programme, bringing the total amount of EU funding to €200 million. Along with match funding from the two Member States, the programme will have a total value of €269 million. The focus of the PEACE IV programme will be on social inclusion and combatting poverty, with investment proposed in a number of areas, including shared education, children and young people, shared spaces and services, and building positive relations at a local level.
The new INTERREG Programme for the same period has a total value, including Member State contributions, of €283 million. The Programme has four key priority areas for investment, namely research and innovation, the environment, sustainable transport, and health.
