Written Answers Nos. 89-97
89. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to compensate persons in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension who also have income from the UK, in view of the fall in the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30026/16]
View answerSocial assistance payments such as the State Pension non-contributory act as a safety net for people who have insufficient income and who do not qualify for a contributory payment. The use of a means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those in greatest need.
Payments from the United Kingdom (UK) are assessed as income under current legislation. If the person applying for a State Pension non-contributory has a UK pension, it is assessable, together with all other means such as savings and investments, when determining the rate of payment. In assessing means derived from payments received from non-European Monetary Union (EMU) States, the Department uses the conversion mechanism provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on Social Security for Migrant Workers. Under this mechanism the conversion rate used for means testing purposes is derived from the average of the daily exchange rates in the first month of a quarter. This rate is then used in all conversions during the course of the succeeding quarter. The exchange rates for converting sterling and other non EMU currencies are published quarterly in the Official Journal of the European Union, and take account of currency fluctuations. The Department obtains this rate at the beginning of each quarter.
Following the outcome of the UK referendum, negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU will take time. In the interim, it is important to stress that all payments made by the Department of Social Protection, including those to recipients who are resident in Britain and Northern Ireland, and payments from the UK to residents in Ireland, will continue to be paid.
My Department is keeping the currency situation under review. It is open to any person in receipt of a social assistance payment to request that his/her entitlement be reviewed if they wish. It is important to note, however, that any such review will involve a full reassessment of all of the customer’s means to ensure that the person continues to receive the correct payment in line with their overall entitlement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
91. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30078/16]
View answer92. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí an bhfuil sprioc leagtha amach maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge a bheith ag obair sa Roinn de réir reachtaíochta agus an bhfuil an sprioc sin bainte amach go fóill. [30093/16]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 91 agus 92 le chéile.
Tá mo Roinn tiomanta do sheirbhís ardchaighdeáin do chustaiméirí a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Tháinig Scéim Gaeilge na Roinne 2015-2018 i bhfeidhm ar an 16 Márta 2016 agus beidh sí i bhfeidhm ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana nó go dtí go ndeimhníonn an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta Scéim nua. Tá an Scéim seo, ina leagtar amach tiomantais na Roinne do sheirbhís do chustaiméirí i nGaeilge agus ina gcuirtear in iúl na seirbhísí atá ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, foilsithe ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne www.welfare.ie.
Faoi láthair tá baill foirne sa Roinn a chuireann seirbhísí ar fáil trí Ghaeilge nuair a bhíonn siad de dhíth. Tá athbhreithniú ar bun lena fháil amach líon iomlán na bpost dátheangach fheidhmiúla atá ag teastáil sa Roinn agus leis na baill foirne atá ar a gcumas na poist seo a líonadh a aimsiú. Déanfar na ceapacháin leis na poist dhátheangacha ina bhfuil folúntais a líonadh de réir mar a thagann siad chun cinn trí phróiseas earcaíochta an PAS nuair nach féidir iad a líonadh go hinmheánach. Go dtí seo tá post amháin líonta inar aithníodh go raibh gá le ball foirne dhátheangach a cheapadh.
93. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí an bhfuil beartas earcaíochta faoi leith i bhfeidhm chun aon chuóta maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge, má tá a leithéid ann, a bhaint amach. [30108/16]
View answerBaineann an tsaincheist a d'ardaigh an Teachta leis an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe.
94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if records will be updated to reflect that a person (details supplied) is travelling abroad for two weeks; if he will ensure that the person's payment will continue to be paid notwithstanding their travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30112/16]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of disability allowance. She advised the department of her intention to travel abroad to visit her ill son for two weeks from 29 October 2016 to 12 November 2016. She submitted her travel itinerary. The claim was examined and it was decided that the person in question shall continue to receive her payments, lodged into her bank account, while she is abroad. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 11 October 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance was reduced or ceased in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30157/16]
View answerA review of the rent supplement payment of the person concerned will be undertaken, and the person concerned will be informed of the outcome of this review once completed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if back to education allowance is payable in the case of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30164/16]
View answerThe person concerned was in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance from 29th September 2014. This claim was recently closed as the person commenced a full-time college course in September 2016. To date, an application for back to education allowance (BTEA) has not been received in my Department. Entitlement will be assessed should an application be received.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is permissible for a landlord to increase the rent in the case of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the current lease has one year to go; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30165/16]
View answerAccording to the records of this Department the person concerned has a lease signed with their landlord dated the 1/11/15 covering the period 1/11/15 until the 1/11/16 and provides for a rent payable of €1250 per month.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has a central role in supporting the rental housing market and deals with disputes between landlords and tenants, including disputes concerning rent reviews. It is open to the person concerned to contact the RTB to seek assistance and guidance in this matter.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
