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Wednesday, 24 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 294-313

Childcare Costs

Questions (294)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

294. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average cost of the care of a child in a foster setting per annum; and the average cost of the care of a child in an institutional setting by the type of institution in question. [44195/18]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy would not normally be held in my Department and, as this is an operational matter, I have referred the question to the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, for a direct reply.

Community Development Projects

Questions (295, 296)

Tom Neville

Question:

295. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are sources of funding or grants available that would assist a community group (details supplied) in County Limerick that are seeking funding to restore the community hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44017/18]

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Tom Neville

Question:

296. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants or sources of funding that an association (details supplied) in County Limerick could apply for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44015/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.

LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country.

Funding can be provided under a broad range of defined themes, which include enterprise development and social inclusion.

The Social Inclusion theme of the LEADER Programme focuses on the provision of services for people living in rural and remote areas and, in that context, support for the works outlined by the Deputy could potentially be considered eligible for LEADER funding.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the LEADER sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group (LAG) which administer the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available.

The Implementing Partner for the area of Limerick referred to by the Deputy is West Limerick Resources, St. Mary’s Road, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.

Contact details for West Limerick Resources are as follows:

- Telephone: 069 62222

- E-mail: info@wlr.ie.

Local Improvement Scheme Data

Questions (297)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

297. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation made to each county under the local improvement scheme in 2018; the basis on which these allocations were made; the amount paid to each local authority to date for work done this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44107/18]

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Written answers

The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in predominantly rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.

Following on from the successful re-launch of the scheme in 2017, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February last. I allocated an initial sum of €10.8 million to Local Authorities across the country this year under the scheme.

County allocations under the 2018 LIS programme were calculated taking into consideration the funding available and the size of the county. In addition, a minimum allocation of €250,000 and a maximum cap of €1 million were applied in the distribution model.

To date, €6.221 million has been paid to Local Authorities in respect of works carried out under the 2018 LIS programme. The allocations and amounts paid in respect of each Local Authority are provided on the table below. It should be noted that a number of other payment applications have been received which are being checked and processed by my Department and are not reflected on the table. I expect that the full allocation of €10.8 million under the scheme will be drawn down this year.

County

Funding allocated

Amount paid to date

Carlow

€243,630

€236,943.00

Cavan

€295,000

€295,000.00

Clare

€482,000

€473,708.00

Cork

€1,000,000

--

Donegal

€884,000

--

Galway

€942,001

€942,000.00

Kerry

€726,976

--

Kildare

€249,999

€249,999.00

Kilkenny

€315,000

€315,000.00

Laois

€264,146

€257,799.05

Leitrim

€250,001

€250,000.00

Limerick

€411,000

€322,730.83

Longford

€249,020

--

Louth

€249,984

--

Mayo

€855,000

€840,651.00

Meath

€359,000

--

Monaghan

€250,000

€250,000.00

Offaly

€290,765

€290,597.00

Roscommon

€370,290

€340,781.60

Sligo

€282,000

€282,000.40

Tipperary

€624,866

--

Waterford

€282,000

€282,000.00

Westmeath

€282,000

€282,000.00

Wexford

€354,519

--

Wicklow

€310,000

€310,000.00

TOTAL

€10,823,196

€6,221,209.88

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Questions (298)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

298. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a further allocation of moneys will be allocated to local authorities under the local improvement scheme in 2018; if local authorities that have not completed the work and submitted claims for payment for the allocation made earlier will be considered for a further allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44108/18]

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Written answers

Following on from the successful re-launch of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in 2017, I announced details of the 2018 scheme on 27th February last. I allocated an initial sum of €10.8 million to Local Authorities across the country this year under the scheme. 

As part of my Department's engagement with the Local Authorities, I also requested each County Council to compile a secondary list of suitable LIS road projects which could be completed if additional funding became available through my Department later in the year.

I am assessing the level of expenditure on all of my Department's programmes on an on-going basis, and I will make decisions shortly on whether there is scope for any additional funding to be allocated to the Local Improvement Scheme this year.  The manner of distribution of any such funds to the Local Authorities will be made at that stage.

Departmental Funding

Questions (299)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

299. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation of funds made to each local authority since the inception of his Department under subhead A5 in the estimates national rural development schemes; the basis on which these allocations were made; the amount paid to each local authority to date in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44109/18]

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Written answers

The main programmes under Subhead A5 of my Department's Vote under which funding is provided to the Local Authorities are the CLÁR programme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

These programmes operate on a competitive basis and allocations are subject to the budgetary ceilings available to the Department.  The specific terms of the schemes are outlined to the Local Authorities in writing and are also generally available on my Department's website.

Local Authorities are invited to submit a specified number of applications under each programme, or particular measures under each programme.

I will write to the Deputy with details of the allocations and payments made to the Local Authorities under the programmes in question for 2017 and 2018, in tabular format.

Foireann Roinne

Questions (300)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

300. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cad iad na céimeanna atá tógtha aige lena dhéanamh cinnte go bhfuil dóthain daoine ar fáil in a Roinn le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo a ngnóthaí a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an státseirbhís; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44392/18]

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Written answers

Tá cúigear fhoireann na Roinne Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail tiomnaithe ar fáil chun seirbhís trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar. Chuir an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail oiliúint ar theanga na Gaeilge ar fáil do chúigear den fhoireann i 2018. Tá an Roinn tiomanta chun seisiúin theagaisc lóin agus foghlama a sholáthar maidir leis an nGaeilge, agus tugtar cuireadh do gach ball den fhoireann freastal ar na seisiúin seo. D’eagraigh an Roinn cur i láthair ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúil leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga le déanaí, agus cuirfear a thuilleadh seisiún ar siúl sna míosa atá romhainn.

Foireann Roinne

Questions (301)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

301. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén céadatán den státseirbhís atá inniúil chun seirbhísí in a Roinn a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44404/18]

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Written answers

Rinne an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail suirbhé le déanaí ar fhoireann na Roinne, chun líon na ndaoine atá inniúil seirbhísí a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge sa Roinn a dhearbhú. Bunaithe ar an suirbhé, dearbhaíodh go bhfuil cúigear ball den fhoireann inniúil seirbhísí a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge, is é sin 2.7% de bhaill foirne na Roinne (185 ina iomlán). 

Illness Benefit Payments

Questions (302)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

302. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the remainder of an illness benefit payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43980/18]

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Written answers

The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is paid up to date and he is currently certified to 28th October 2018.  If he remains ill after that date, he should submit further medical certificates. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (303)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

303. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [43984/18]

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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 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 2 August 2018. 

Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 18 October 2018.  Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and she will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (304)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

304. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a payment following an oral hearing. [43985/18]

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Written answers

Following a successful appeal, this lady has been awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 15 November 2017. The first payment will be made on 24 October 2018.

Arrears of payment due, will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Questions (305)

John Brassil

Question:

305. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a qualified child payment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44005/18]

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Written answers

The Department administers the Illness Benefit (IB) 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.

A customer may be eligible for an increase in their payment for a child dependent, subject to meeting certain conditions.

The person concerned was paid a qualified child allowance in respect of two children up until 12th June 2018. This increase was stopped due to a change in spousal earnings which impacts eligibility criteria.

An application form for a qualified child allowance increase has now been issued to  him. When the completed form is received, the application will be reviewed.  One of my officials will also contact him to outline the current position.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Questions (306)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

306. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied). [44008/18]

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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 10th October 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 Payments

Questions (307)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

307. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the remainder of an illness benefit payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44044/18]

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Written answers

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

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

I want to assure the Deputy that all IB 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 these payment issues as quickly as possible. 

The IB claim for the person concerned was certified and paid up until 10th October 2018. His next medical certificate was due on 11th October 2018 and when that is submitted, IB payments will resume.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Payments

Questions (308)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

308. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason no correspondence has issued to a person (details supplied) in respect of a carer’s allowance issue that has been ongoing for some time. [44059/18]

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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.

Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 25 July 2018 outlining the overpayment amount and on 13 September 2018 outlining the debt recovery options.

To date, no reply to this correspondence has been received by my Department but it will be re-issued and the matter will be progressed once a reply has been received.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Questions (309)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

309. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will grant a review to allow back to education allowance for a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the person was already in receipt of BTEA. [44060/18]

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Written answers

Illness Benefit (IB) is paid for a maximum of  two years (624 payment days) where at least 260 weeks of reckonable social insurance contributions have been paid since the person first started work. The person concerned was in receipt of IB and was paid up until 5th September 2018 when her benefit exhausted.

The person's request to be granted a Back to Education Allowance is being examined and the Department will revert to her shortly in that regard.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (310)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

310. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [44067/18]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 6th November 2018.  The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (311)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

311. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in relation to a carer’s allowance appeal; if requested Departmental records and comments were received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44074/18]

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.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 14 February 2018.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that this condition was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 18 June 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.  

My Department were notified on 13 July 2018 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).  On foot of this a deciding officer re-examined all the evidence, including that submitted in support of this appeal.

As a result the application was awarded to the person concerned on 22 October 2018 and first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 8 November 2018.  The application was awarded from the date the person concerned ceased employment.

Arrears of allowance due from 19 April 2018 to 7 November 2018 will issue shortly after.

The person concerned was notified on 22 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

General Register Office

Questions (312, 313)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

312. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the vacancy of registrar general will be filled in the General Register Office in Roscommon town in view of the fact that the post has been vacant since August 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44092/18]

View answer

Eugene Murphy

Question:

313. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the business review of the General Register Office in Roscommon town which commenced in December 2017 is expected to be concluded; the cost of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44093/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.

A review of the General Register Office (GRO) is currently underway in my Department.  The review is looking at a number of issues including business process improvements in the Office, work-loads and work-flows, as well as staffing and future work requirements. While substantial progress has been made in recent months, I would expect that the review will not be completed until the end of the year.  The overall costs associated with the review have yet to be determined. 

The position of An tArd-Chláraitheoir (Registrar General) is currently being filled in an acting capacity. At this point, it is not possible to be precise about the timeframe but I can assure the Deputy that the intention is to fill the position in Roscommon Town on a substantive basis, in line with normal practice for filling vacancies across my Department.

 I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

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