Thursday, 18 Jan 2018

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (325)

Niall Collins

Question:

325. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 685 of 14 December 2017, when a reply will issue. [2716/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The information requested by the Deputy has been collated and a response has has issued from my office today.

The table, containing the relevant information, is reproduced for your convenience.

-	Expenditure	Event/ Campaign/Policy	Company /Person payment relates to	Commissioned by
Photography	€ 522.75	Launch of Libraries Ireland Development Funding 09/11/2017	Julien Behal Photography	Department of Rural and Community Development
Photography	€ 676.50	Launch of Seniors Alert Scheme	Julien Behal Photography	Department of Rural and Community Development
Photography	€ 307.50	NEETS event 23/10/2017	Conor McCabe	Pobal
Photography	€ 676.50	Launch of Action Plan for Rural Development 6 month review, The Virginia Show, Virginia, Co Cavan	Barry Cronin	Department of Rural and Community Development
Photography	€ 512.40	Launch of LIS Scheme, National Plouging Championship, Screggan, Co Offaly	Barry Cronin	Department of Rural and Community Development
Photography	€ 430.50	Town and Village funding launch, Granard, Co Longford	Barry Cronin	Department of Rural and Community Development
Photography	€ 430.50	Announcing the 400th Men’s Shed, Kilcock, Co Kildare	Barry Cronin	Department of Rural and Community Development
Advertising	€ 292.70	Seafest	Facebook / Keyhole	Western Development Commission
Advertising	€ 457.40	Local Events / Festivals	Roscommon Herald	Western Development Commission
Advertising	€ 116.85	Wif Community Loans	JDK Design	Western Development Commission
Advertising	€ 11,024.00	Notifying nationwide public consultation on new Public Library Strategy 2018-2022	Spark Foundry	Department of Rural and Community Development
Advertising	€ 1,687.82	Call for submissions for Department Statement of Strategy	Spark Foundry	Department of Rural and Community Development
Advertising	€ 600.00	SICAP - edit infographic to include new Department logo	Aoife Kelly	Pobal
Advertising	€ 100.00	SICAP - update leaflet to include the new Department logo and name	Aoife Kelly	Pobal
Advertising	€ 250.00	SICAP - update infographic to include programme achievements	Aoife Kelly	Pobal
Advertising	€ 100.00	SICAP - update banner design with new Department logo	Aoife Kelly	Pobal
Advertising	€ 261.99	SICAP - banner and bag for the National Ploughing Championships 2017	Applied Signs & Display	Pobal
Advertising	€ 2,475.38	SICAP - stick notepads for the National Ploughing Championships 2017	Bright Promotions Limited	Pobal
Advertising	€ 111.80	SICAP - printing 500 A4 leaflets	Dogget Group	Pobal
Advertising	€ 237.62	SICAP - printing leaflets for the National Ploughing Championships 2017	Dogget Group	Pobal
Communications Advice	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Public Relations	€ 6,666.66	Public Relations WDC	Storylabs	Western Development Commission
Website Development	€ 4,790.85	Lookwest & WDC Websites	JDK Design	Western Development Commission
Website Development	€ 645.75	Update to www.ruralireland.ie (Action Plan for Rural Development)	Fusio Ltd.	Department of Rural and Community Development
Media Interview Training & Prep	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

JobPath Programme

Questions (326)

Pat Deering

Question:

326. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in part-time employment is being pursued by Turas Nua. [2409/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part time and those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed, to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. All jobseekers over one year on the Live Register are eligible for selection for the JobPath service and clients are chosen by means of a random selection process.

Customers referred to JobPath who are also working part-time will have all activities including meetings with their personal advisor scheduled around their work commitments and the JobPath contractors are required to be flexible in the provision of the service in that respect.

The person in question was working part-time when referred to the JobPath service in December 2017. He attended a Joint Information Session in January 2018 where he was assigned a Personal Advisor and agreed a Personal Progression Plan. He was advised that his appointments would be scheduled for days on which he was not working and should he be contacted to work at short notice he should inform Turas Nua immediately and his appointments would be re-scheduled. Turas Nua have accommodated this client and re-scheduled his appointments on a number of occasions so far.

JobPath provides an intensive personal service which focuses on the skills and experience of each person. As this client is already in part-time employment the focus may be on options or opportunities to increase the level of employment in his current role, or look at possibilities in other areas, which may also involve some training, but could provide a more sustainable income and a move away from jobseekers payments. Therefore, it is important that he continues to attend all his meetings.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pension Provisions

Questions (327)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an entitlement to a UK pension exists in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2436/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned is in receipt of the maximum rate of widow(er)’s or surviving civil partner’s contributory pension payable under 66 years of age. The person concerned is also in receipt of a fuel allowance.

The Department of Work and Pensions in the UK is responsible for the assessment of a person’s entitlement to benefits from the UK and all enquiries in relation to those benefits should be directed to the Department of Work and Pensions, Overseas Benefits Directorate, at Tyne View Park, Whitley Road, Benton, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England NE90 1BA or by phone on contact number 0044 191 218 7777.

Another copy of the relevant form, which was previously sent on 10th May 2017, has today been sent to the Department of Work and Pensions, with a request to examine the UK pension entitlement of the person concerned.

The Department of Work and Pensions will correspond directly with the person concerned in relation to their possible UK pension entitlement.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Overpayments

Questions (328)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

328. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who is receiving maternity benefit and who incurred an overpayment on her claim, is now being deducted at a rate of 15% in view of engagement made with her Department to establish a suitable method of recovery by way of establishing a payment plan. [2441/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned is aware that she has an overpayment due for recovery by the Department and was informed that 15% of her weekly payment (the Departmental standard rate that can apply to the repayment of debt without a person’s consent) would be deducted for this purpose. She was also advised to supply any further relevant information in relation to the debt and its repayment when this rate was applied.

The person concerned has recently been in contact through her local representative and as a result of this contact the repayment applied to this overpayment has been adjusted to €10.00 per week from 18th January 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (329)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

329. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2448/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was 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 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (330)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a carer's allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2438/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 2 October 2017.

The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (331)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

331. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2449/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28th November 2017. 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (332)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

332. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2450/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was 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 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (333)

Dara Calleary

Question:

333. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the €2 million in capital underspend in her Department as outlined in the fiscal monitor for December 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2496/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection had a capital budget of €10m in 2017. Over the past number of years, the Department’s role and the demand for the services it provides has changed significantly. In 2017 the Department continued to make significant investment in the upgrading and replacement of DEASP’s IT infrastructure and in carrying out works associated to meet the requirements of the Intreo service and other related support activities.

The underspend primarily occurred at end 2017 as some ICT projects did not progress as initially anticipated. In addition there were savings on the buildings side due to a reduction in the scope of some projects following a technical review by the OPW.

The Department has made an application to the Department of Public Expenditure to carry over €1m unspent capital into 2018. This has been reflected in the 2018 Revised Estimates.

Social Welfare Schemes Data

Questions (334)

Robert Troy

Question:

334. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe to process various applications such as carer's allowance or benefit, disability allowance, old age pensions and so on; and the actions being taken to reduce these waiting times. [2578/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I wish to assure the Deputy that prompt processing of claims remains a priority for me. Each scheme area is continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure customers are responded to as quickly as possible, and their claims are processed as expeditiously as possible.

The Table provides details (where available) of processing times for each of the Department’s schemes in December 2017. All claims are registered promptly: in some schemes this is done through the scanning of claim documents onto the system while in other schemes this involves an officer inputting data. The time taken to perform means tests and/or medical examinations where these are required is not measured separately, while a determination on habitual residence where required is an integral part of the decision making process.

Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria. As can be seen from the data in the table, 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. Delays can also arise where information is required from social security organisations in other jurisdictions and where additional information has been requested from the applicant but remains outstanding.

As part of the Department’s programme of service delivery modernisation, 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.

In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.

The Intreo service integrates employment and income supports and provides for a streamlined and personalized service to clients in accessing job opportunities and availing of supports to enable them to get back to work at the earliest possible opportunity. The Intreo Centres also include a single integrated decision-making team that integrate and streamline the processes formerly undertaken by the different agencies now amalgamated into the Department. The benefits of the integrated decisions process are readily visible in terms of shorter decision times and in the reduced recourse to supplementary payments in offices where integrated decisions are in operation.

Average time to Award for principle DEASP schemes, December 2017

Schemes	Average time to award (weeks)
Jobseeker's Benefit	1
Jobseeker's Allowance	2
One-Parent Family Payment	4
State Pension Contributory (Dom)	6
Widow, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partners Contributory Pension	3
Widowed Parent Grant	1
State Pension Non-Contributory	12
Household Benefits	2
Free Travel	2
Domiciliary Care Allowance	11
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	1
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA)	3
Child Benefit (Over 16)	1
Child Benefit (Additional Child)	1
Maternity Benefit	6
Paternity Benefit	6
Carer's Allowance	17
Carer's Benefit	10
Disability Allowance	12
Invalidity Pension	7

Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme

Questions (335)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

335. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for partial capacity benefit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2579/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The person concerned is in receipt of Invalidity Pension (IP). Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a Social Welfare scheme which allows a person, who may not have full capacity for work, return to employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. A person who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a medical assessor who will assess the restriction on their capacity for work. This medical assessment will be taken into account to decide the amount of payment to which they may be entitled.

An application for PCB has been received from the person concerned and has been referred for assessment to the Medical Adviser (MA) who has been asked to expedite this case. When the MA’s opinion has been received, the matter will be considered further and the person concerned will be notified of the position.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Guardian's Payment

Questions (336)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

336. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a guardianship payment will be approved in the name of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2694/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Guardians’ payments are made to a person caring for a child, where that child is defined as “an orphan ” under social welfare legislation. This occurs where the child has lost both parents through bereavement, or has been abandoned by both parents or by a surviving parent and is not living with a parent, adoptive parent or step-parent.

The children in respect of who the application was made were adopted in 2014 by the person concerned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As the adoptive parent of the children, the person concerned does not qualify for Guardian’s Payment.

The person concerned was notified of the Deciding Officer’s decision, in writing, on 18th December 2017. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the Deciding Officer’s decision they can appeal it to the independent Chief Appeals Officer, D’Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Registration Certificate

Questions (337)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an application for stamp 4 update of naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2695/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

This is a matter for my colleague in the Department of Justice and Equality.