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Wednesday, 17 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 211-230

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Questions (211)

Pat Casey

Question:

211. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the methodology used for choosing the eight towns awarded the rural regeneration pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42612/18]

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Written answers

Six rural towns were included in a pilot initiative which I announced last week to look at how we can increase the number of people living in town centres.

Earlier this year, a Steering Group chaired by my Department was established to examine what would be the most effective way to encourage increased residential occupancy in our rural towns and villages. A lot of consideration has been given by the Steering Group, as well as by Departmental officials and other stakeholders, to the best approach to deliver on this objective.

The consensus was that the best way to proceed was through the development of a small number of well-planned pilot schemes that take a holistic approach to encouraging people to live in town centres.

The initiative which I announced will allow a number of Local Authorities to develop and test different models which are appropriate to towns of different sizes and in different locations. The learnings from this pilot will help to provide an indication as to what might work well for similar types of town on a wider scale.

The towns that have been selected for the pilot initiative are: Boyle, Co. Roscommon; Callan, Co. Kilkenny; Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo; Banagher, Co. Offaly; Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan; and Cappoquin, Co Waterford.

These towns were identified through consultation and meetings with a number of Local Authorities who made contact directly with my Department expressing an interest in becoming involved in the initiative, or towns which would provide a good mix of size and location for the pilot.

Each of the pilot towns will now develop proposals which they feel are important to increase the number of people living in their centres. Each relevant Local Authority will receive technical assistance of up to €100,000 from my Department to progress the pilots.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will provide an opportunity to take the emerging ideas to implementation stage, if they prove to be effective.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Questions (212)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

212. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when €120,000 in funding will be allocated for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42662/18]

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Written answers

My Department's Community and Voluntary Supports and Programmes provide a framework of supports for the community and voluntary sector. €3.5m is being provided in 2018 to support 21 Volunteer Centres, 8 Volunteer Information Services and a number of national volunteer-support organisations, such as Volunteer Ireland.

Last July, the new Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2018 was announced which included the provision of funding of €1.2m to upgrade the 8 Volunteer Information Services to full Volunteer Centres in order to provide a consistent level of volunteering service nationwide.

It has recently been announced that the necessary funding to give effect to this commitment to upgrade the Volunteer Information Services - including Cavan Volunteer Information Service - to Volunteer Centres will be provided in 2019.

Departmental Funding

Questions (213)

John Brady

Question:

213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the detail of State funding that is provided to religious organisations or persons here by his Department; the amount of funding provided for each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43158/18]

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Written answers

Since the establishment of my Department on the 19 July 2017 our payment records indicate that the organisations in the following table received funding from my Department. However, I wish to clarify that if some applicants used a company name, they might not be identified as connected with a religious organisation and therefore are not included in the list. I must emphasise that all my Department's programmes and services are delivered on an inclusive, non-partisan, non-political basis.

The table includes organisations which my Department has provided funding to such as the St Vincent De Paul and Protestant Aid. While these are not religious organisations, as such, they have been listed here for completeness. Both provide assistance to those in need. Neither differentiates by religion while providing this support.

Communities Facilities Scheme 2017 (Information is not yet available for 2018.)

Applicant

Amount

St John of God Dublin City

€1,000

St Brigids Dunleer Louth

€500

St. Mary's Presbytery (Gilloolly Hall) Sligo

€650

St John of God Housing Association CLG South Dublin

€527

St. Michaels House, South Dublin

€527

St. Vincent De Paul (Cappawhite Branch) Tipperary

€653

RAPID Scheme 2017

St. Vincent De Paul, Stradbally, Laois

€8,500

Support for Charity Organisations Year 2017

Total Funding Allocated

St Vincent De Paul (SVDP)

€1,410,000

Protestant Aid

€180,000

Support for Charity Organisations Year 2018. (*Paid to date in 2018)

St Vincent De Paul (SVDP)

€675,000*

Protestant Aid

€75,000*

Carer's Benefit Applications Data

Questions (214)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

214. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have applied for carer's benefit in 2017 and to date in 2018 in view of the fact that there is no means test required for carer's benefit; the reason applications are taking so long to process when applications for illness benefit can be processed in a much shorter time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42650/18]

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Written answers

Carer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.

The following table gives figures for CARB applications received in 2017 & up to 5/10/2018

Year

Claims received

2017

4037

2018 (Jan – Aug)

3397

Before a decision can be made on entitlement to CARB, a person has to show that they have the required level of PRSI contributions, that they were in full-time remunerative employment and that they have left that employment or reduced their hours of employment to no more than 15 hours per week outside their home, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for has such a disability that they require full-time care and attention.

In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions can take longer to process. This is compounded if the documentary evidence provided at initial application stage is incomplete or insufficient; this is sometimes the case with CARB applications.

The Department is currently in the process of re-designing the CARB application form. This will allow carers to provide more information on the type and level of care they provide, with an aim of providing Deciding Officers with the information they need to expedite decisions on entitlement.

Staff have recently been re-assigned within the CARB area to work on claims processing and this should lead to a reduction in processing times.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Questions (215)

James Browne

Question:

215. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding contractual, pay and pension concerns raised by community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42668/18]

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Written answers

My Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market, one of which is the Community Employment (CE) programme.

CE schemes are typically sponsored by voluntary and community organisations wishing to benefit the local community. As the employers, these sponsoring organisations contract with my Department, on an annual basis, to provide job seekers and other vulnerable groups with good quality work experience and training qualifications to support their progression into employment.

Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. They are not employees of my Department or public servants, and as such were not subject to pay reductions under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) which only applied to public servants.

As the Deputy is aware these concerns were raised and are being examined by a Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A number of Departments including my own Department are represented on this group, as are the unions and Pobal.

A detailed scoping exercise was carried out on the pensions issue with input from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) on the potential costs of providing Exchequer support for the establishment of such a pension scheme for employees across the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland. The exercise clearly illustrated that this matter presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost to the State of €188 million per annum in respect of funding to enable an employer pension contribution in State funded Community and Voluntary organisations, excluding any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could, depending on the size of the sector, entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.

I am very conscious that while the issues relate to Community Employment supervisors and assistant supervisors, such individuals comprise of just one small group within the wider Community and Voluntary sector. Any provision of State funding for such a scheme in respect of those employees could potentially give rise to claims for similar schemes on the part of those in the broader sector, thus crystallising the potential level of liability. Any solution to this issue will require careful consideration, in particular the implications for scarce Exchequer resources.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Questions (216)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for an exceptional needs payment for a funeral grant in respect of a person (details supplied); if this case will be considered urgently with particular reference to the sensitive circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42573/18]

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Written answers

The person concerned suffered the bereavement of their son on 22 April 2018. Firstly may I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to the person concerned and their family, on their recent bereavement?

The person concerned's spouse made an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) towards funeral costs on 30 July 2018. A payment of €2,500.00 was awarded and issued on the 30th of July 2018.

However we are now advised that the cheque had not been received. This came to the Community Welfare Officer's knowledge late last week. A replacement cheque of €2,500 was issued to the person concerned on 15 October 2018.

Carer's Support Grant

Questions (217)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

217. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's support grant by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42576/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by my Department.

The customer concerned has been awarded both the 2017 and 2018 Carer's Support Grants. An amount of €3,400 (€1,700 for 2017 and €1,700 for 2018) will be lodged to her nominated bank account on Thursday 18th October 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (218)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason illness benefit did not issue to a person (details supplied); if payment will urgently issue with particular reference to the hardship caused in the absence of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42579/18]

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Written answers

The Department administers the Illness Benefit scheme to those customers who cannot work because of illness, are covered by the appropriate class of pay-related social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

In recent weeks, the Department experienced some delays following the introduction of a new system for Illness Benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department which took effect from Monday 6th August.

The claim from the person concerned is paid up until the date of certified illness by her GP which was 10th October 2018. This customer should continue to send medical certificates for the duration of her illness to ensure prompt payment of benefit.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Questions (219)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the level of payment of jobseeker's allowance has been reduced in the case of a person (details supplied); if a review will be undertaken with a view to restoring the initial level with particular reference to the hardship being experienced in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42580/18]

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Written answers

The person concerned is a part-time worker and claims a Jobseeker's Allowance payment for the days she is not employed. Her rate of payment is reduced by the amount of means attributable to earnings in respect of days in employment. The amount of means attributable is based on information supplied by the employer on Form UP 16 dated 29/9/2018.

If there are any changes in the circumstances of the person concerned, this should be notified to the Newbridge Intreo Centre, Moorefield Road, Newbridge and a review of means will be undertaken accordingly.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Questions (220)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for an exceptional needs payment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); if consideration will be given to this request with particular reference to the hardship being experienced in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42581/18]

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Written answers

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment. If the person concerned wishes to submit an application, she should contact the Community Welfare Service by phoning 087 9638588 or calling in person to Newbridge Intreo Centre, Moorefield Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, where a member of staff will be able to assist her in this regard.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (221)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

221. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of the rate of disability allowance being paid to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42585/18]

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Written answers

Following a review of the entitlement to disability allowance (DA) for the first named and the second named persons, it was found that their means had reduced since they had been previously assessed.

Based on the information provided to my department, an increased rate of disability allowance was awarded. The increased rate became effective from 20 June 2018 and they were notified of this in writing.

The persons concerned were also notified of their right to a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date no request for a review or appeal has been received.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (222)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a request for review of a disability allowance in late September 2018 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42622/18]

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Written answers

Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, her application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 26 September 2018 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

They requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional medical evidence for consideration on 02 October 2018.

This additional evidence is currently being reviewed. Once a decision has been made, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing.

Illness Benefit Applications

Questions (223)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an injury benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42636/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Department administers the Injury Benefit scheme to those customers who cannot work because they are ill, provided they are covered by the appropriate class of pay-related social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

In recent weeks, the Department experienced some delays following the introduction of a new system for Illness Benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department which took effect from Monday 6th August.

The claim for the person concerned has been processed and he is in receipt of his full entitlement under the Injury Benefit Scheme and all arrears owing to him have been issued.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (224)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an early oral hearing will be arranged for a basic payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42656/18]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18 September 2018. 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 Employment Affairs and 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.

Illness Benefit Applications

Questions (225)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

225. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied); when payment will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42671/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Department experienced some delays following the introduction of a new system for Illness benefit. The change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department which took effect from Monday 6th August.

The claim for the person concerned has now been processed and she is in receipt of her full entitlement under the Illness Benefit scheme and all arrears owing to her have been issued.

This customer should continue to send medical certificates for the duration of her illness to ensure prompt payment of benefit.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme

Questions (226, 227)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

226. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to establish an independent review group within her Department to assess the level and impact of cuts suffered by all categories of members in a scheme (details supplied) due to changes in legislation, and in particular the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014, and subsequent reductions in members' benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42685/18]

View answer

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

227. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the substantial cuts imposed on members of a pension scheme (details supplied) in advance of the sale of the State's stake in Aer Lingus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42689/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

I am aware of the reduction in pension benefits for members of the IASS pension scheme. However, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot intervene in the pension arrangements applying to a particular pension scheme and such arrangements are a matter for the pension scheme trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.

As the Deputy is aware, there is currently a case before the Courts in relation to the IASS pension scheme. Therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (228)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

228. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42735/18]

View answer

Written answers

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 9 February 2018.

The application was awarded to the person concerned on 9 October 2018 and first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 18 October 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 15 February 2018 to 17 October 2018 will also issue.

The person concerned was notified on 9 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (229)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

229. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the illness benefit section telephone lines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42759/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department recently moved to new IT system and this has impacted on payments to some Illness Benefit customers. The transition from the old to the new system has involved moving from a payment in arrears system to a real-time system for Illness Benefit.

The Department acknowledges that this move has caused difficulties for some customers, leading to a large volume of calls to its helpline and delays in responding to calls. In order to address this, the Department is taking urgent action to deploy additional staff to manage customer calls.

I want to assure IB customers that where issues have arisen, that these customers will be paid the correct amount for the period of their illness - as certified by their GP. Any customer who has an urgent financial need can apply to the Department's Community Welfare Service to receive an interim payment. Customers in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre.

My Department is working hard to resolve the payment issues as quickly as possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Reform

Questions (230)

Martin Heydon

Question:

230. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if women on reduced contributory pensions pre-2012 who spent time caring for their families will be considered for reviews in view of the introduction of the new home caring credit system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42760/18]

View answer

Written answers

A policy to introduce the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pensions calculation was adopted by Government in the National Pensions Framework in 2010, as was the decision to base the entitlements of all new pensioners on this approach from around 2020. In advance of this, on the 23rd January, the Government agreed to a proposal that will allow pensioners affected by the 2012 changes in rate bands to have their pension entitlement calculated by an interim “Total Contributions Approach” (TCA) which will include up to 20 years of a new HomeCaring credit. This approach is expected to significantly benefit many people, particularly women, whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, while raising families or in a caring role. The TCA will ensure that the totality of a person’s social insurance contributions - as opposed to the timing of them - determines their final pension outcome.

People whose pensions were decided under the 2000-2012 ratebands were subject to a significantly more generous regime than those who qualified before or afterwards, as a Yearly Average of only 20 contributions per year (out of a maximum of 52) could attract a 98% pension. The effect of those changes, as it impacted upon those new pensioners since 2012, will be familiar to anyone who followed the debate on this matter over the last 6 years.

If pre-2012 pensioners were also allowed avail of HomeCaring Credits, their arrangements, as a group, would continue to be significantly more generous than those of post-2012 pensioners. There would also be a very significant cost which would be expected to be of the order of several hundred millions of euros each year. This in turn could significantly impact funds for future pension increases with consequential implications for pensioner poverty.

For those with insufficient contributions to meet the requirements for a State pension (contributory), they may qualify for a means tested State pension (non-contributory), the maximum personal rate for which is €232 (over 95% of the maximum rate of the contributory pension). This rate of payment does not include rent allowance, household benefits or fuel allowance. Alternatively, if their spouse is a State pensioner and they have significant household means, their most beneficial payment may be an Increase for a Qualified Adult, based on their personal means, and amounting to up to 90% of a full contributory pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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