Wednesday, 16 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 228-251

Child Abuse

Questions (228, 229, 230, 231)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

228. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1710 of 6 September 2019, the discussions that have taken place between her Department and an organisation (details supplied) about historical files being held at the organisation’s headquarters covering historical cases of child abuse, child sexual abuse, emotional abuse and physical abuse; the number of such files; the person charged with auditing these files; if these files have been incorporated into Tusla’s work with the organisation's current review of its child safeguarding practices ahead of the publication of the written progress report due for publication at the end of October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42428/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

229. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1710 of 6 September 2019, if she will be making public the written report from an organisation (details supplied) on its child safeguarding and reporting obligations which is due for publication at the end of October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42429/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

230. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will be making public the report drawn up by a person (details supplied) on the review of child safeguarding standards in an organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42430/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

231. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will be making public an organisation's (details supplied) report on the review of historical files, as referenced in the organisation’s report to her Department in March 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42431/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 231, inclusive, together.

Over the last two years My Department has received regular progress reports from Scouting Ireland with regards to their governance and safeguarding, and have also regularly met with officials from Scouting Ireland to discuss these.  The most recent progress report was 9 March 2019 and this was followed by a meeting to discuss the report on 10 April 2019.

My Department is expecting a further progress report from Scouting Ireland on 30 October 2019 and are planning again to have a meeting with officials from Scouting Ireland in November 2019 to discuss same (date to be confirmed).  The report will include an update on all aspects of governance, safeguarding, including relevant figures on historic abuse cases.

As the Deputy may be aware, previous progress reports are available on Scouting Ireland’s website https://www.scouts.ie//News/2019/Scouting-Ireland-Report-to-DCYA-March-2019.pdf.  The October 2019 report, and any appendices and attached reports, will also be made available once they have been considered by my Department.

I am unclear regarding the Deputy's reference to ‘the person charged with auditing these files’.  However, I understand that Scouting Ireland have been in regular positive communication with Tusla to progress the Action Plan that was agreed between Tusla and Scouting Ireland on 7 March 2019.  I look forward to hearing of progress with this Action Plan in the forthcoming progress report.

I understand that the individual employed as a Safeguarding Manager within Scouting Ireland is a mandated person as per Children First Act 2015.

Child and Family Agency Investigations

Questions (232)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

232. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the information passed on to the person suspected of alleged abuse in the social work assessment of a retrospective disclosure if it includes the personal details of the complainant; the statutory protocol being followed in doing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42434/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that they reply directly.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Child and Family Agency Investigations

Questions (233)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

233. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 19 June 2019, the definitions of high, medium and low assigned by social workers when dealing with cases of retrospective abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42435/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that they reply directly.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Child and Family Agency Investigations

Questions (234)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

234. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons dealing with cases of retrospective abuse in Tusla prior to them being assigned to a social worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42436/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that they reply directly.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Child and Family Agency Services

Questions (235)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

235. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which the information relating to cases of retrospective abuse is stored by Tusla; the person or body that has access to the files; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42437/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that they reply directly.

Childcare Services Regulation

Questions (236)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

236. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if issues at a crèche (details supplied) were flagged with her Department; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42438/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Tusla is the independent statutory regulator of early learning and care and school age childcare services in Ireland. In performing its regulatory function, its actions include responding to breaches of regulations while respecting fair procedures and natural justice.

Tusla has provided my Department with the following information. The Early Years Inspectorate conducted an inspection of the service in question - which catered for both pre-school and school-age children - in line with the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 on 19 June 2019. During this inspection it was observed that the service, which was approved for a specific number of children, was operating outside its registration status, with a substantial number of additional children observed in attendance. Tusla advised the service to revert immediately to its approved registration status, and to take immediate remedial action to address the risk posed to children on the premises due to inadequate insurance. Tusla also referred the service to the local Chief Fire Officer and to the Planning and Enforcement Section of the local Council.

Tusla carried out a follow-up inspection of the service in September 2019, and found that more than the approved number of children were attending the service. Tusla again instructed the service to revert to its approved registration status.

Tusla also received an application from the registered provider for registration of a school-age service which highlighted that the service has been operating in contravention of its planning permission, which states that the number of children to be accommodated at the facility must not exceed a set number. This has resulted in the regrettable situation described.

Tusla, the independent statutory regulator, carried out some 2,513 inspections in 2018. As per standard procedure, if this case had proceeded to a deregistration notice then Tusla would have informed the Department at that point. In such cases, that information then triggers suspension by the Department of funding, and referral to the local City/County Childcare Committee to work with parents and local services to help accommodate children who may lose their place in the service. This situation did not arise in this case.

Tusla continues to engage with the registered provider to resolve this matter as expeditiously as possible.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Questions (237)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

237. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if sufficient funding will be ring-fenced for a charity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42480/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding to many organisations that support children and families throughout the country.

As the allocation of such funding is an operational matter for Tusla, I have requested Tusla to respond to the Deputy directly.

Community Services Programme

Questions (238)

Jack Chambers

Question:

238. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps he will take in respect of a community centre (details supplied) which urgently requires funding to address health and safety problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42444/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I am aware of the current situation in Huntstown Community Centre and I know how important the centre is to the community there.   

Community facilities are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies.  The supports provided by my Department help people to participate in the development of their communities and also provide funding to improve community facilities. 

For example, my Department has provided funding of €184,264 to Huntstown Community Centre in 2019 under the Community Services Programme (CSP).  The CSP currently supports more than 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model.  Funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions. In total the CSP has allocated €552,792 to this centre from 2018 to the end of 2020.

Separately, my Department funds the Community Enhancement Programme which helps community groups to improve facilities in their area.  In 2018 the Huntstown Community Centre received €3,500 towards building upgrades.  

I understand that Fingal County Council is aware of the fire safety issues with Huntstown Community Centre, which is owned by the local community.  The Council is arranging to meet with the Centre Manager and local Councillors to explore what supports can be offered. 

Budget 2020

Questions (239)

Dara Calleary

Question:

239. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to budget 2020 the Exchequer amount allocated between current and capital allocations in 2020 to schemes and programmes (details supplied) in his Department in tabular form. [42455/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Budget 2020 will see the overall level of funding for my Department increase from €291 million in 2019 to €308 million in 2020. This will facilitate the continued delivery of key programmes for rural Ireland and communities across the country; and provide an additional €17 million to support priority areas.

The breakdown of  the €308m Budget 2020 allocation will fall to be considered in the context of the Revised Estimates 2020 to be published in December by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

However, at this stage, I expect the allocations to be as detailed in the following table. This, however, remains indicative until publication of the Revised Estimates 2020.

Programme Area	Capital (€ million) indicative	Current (€ million) indicative
RRDF	53	-
TVR	15	-
ORIS	10	-
Walks Scheme	-	4
CLAR	5	-
LIS	10	-
CEP	4.5	-
Libraries Development	7	1
LEADER	40	-
PEACE	0.7	6.3

Western Development Commission Funding

Questions (240)

Dara Calleary

Question:

240. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to budget 2020 the Exchequer amount allocated between current and capital expenditure in 2020 to the Western Development Commission in tabular form. [42456/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

Budget 2020 has seen the overall level of funding for my Department increase from €291 million in 2019 to €308 million in 2020. This €17 million increase will facilitate the continued delivery of key programmes for rural Ireland and for communities across the country. 

The breakdown of  my Department's 2020 allocation, including for the Western Development Commission, will be finalised in the context of the Revised Estimates Volume for 2020 which be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform later this year.

Budget 2020

Questions (241)

Dara Calleary

Question:

241. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to budget 2020 the current and capital allocation in 2020 to the implementation of strategies (details supplied) in tabular form. [42457/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Budget 2020 will see the overall level of funding for my Department increase from €291 million in 2019 to €308 million in 2020. This will facilitate the continued delivery of key programmes for rural Ireland and communities across the country; and provide an additional €17 million to support priority areas.

The existing programmes and schemes delivered by my Department are an important part of these policies and strategies. For example, there is an existing €2 million per annum for Social Enterprise supports and schemes such as the Community Services Programme and the Social Inclusion and Community Activiation Programme provide very significant funding for organisations within the community and voluntary sector, and indeed social enterprises.

While the breakdown of the €308 million Budget 2020 allocation will fall to be considered in the context of the Revised Estimates 2020 to be published in December by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; I envisage using much of the additional funding to further support these strategies and policies.

For example, I envisage €1.5 million being used to further support the CSP and SICAP programmes. I also envisage €1.2 million being provided to support the implementation of measures in the "Strategy for Community and Voluntary Sector development in Ireland”. This will include enhanced supports for the structures which drive local engagement in decision making – the Public Participation Networks and the Local Community Development Committees.

I plan to use a further €300,000 to support delivery of the recently published “National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland" and the development of the new National Rural Development Policy. This current funding will enable a greater impact from the existing capital funding for the sector - and other supports such as those through CSP.

Social Enterprise Sector

Questions (242)

Dara Calleary

Question:

242. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to budget 2020 the amount of dormant accounts funding allocated to social enterprises in 2020 for this funding stream. [42458/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Support for social enterprises under the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) is primarily provided through the Social Enterprise Measure of the annual DAF Action Plan.  A sum of €2 million is available in 2019 under this Measure and this funding will be fully utilised this year.

My Department also provides funding from a separate measure under the DAF Action Plan, which supports the Social Enterprise Development Fund established by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI).  My Department contributed €800,000 to this three-year initiative in 2018, with SIFI raising match funding from philanthropic donations, to create a €1.6 million fund.

My Department's Dormant Accounts allocation for social enterprises for 2020 will be included in the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan for 2020, which is expected to be published shortly.  I will be seeking to ensure that funding for the Social Enterprise Measure is maintained at current levels.

On 18 July last, I launched Ireland's first ever National Social Enterprise Policy. This Policy will help to create an enabling environment for social enterprise to grow and contribute to Ireland’s social and economic progress.    

A new allocation of €300,000 has been provided as part of Budget 2020 for the development and implementation of the Social Enterprise Policy and the forthcoming Rural Development policy.  This funding will support initiatives such as raising awareness of social enterprises and developing methodologies to measure the economic and social impact of social enterprises in Ireland. 

In addition to funding from the DAF, my Department also supports social enterprises through a number of other programmes including SICAP, LEADER, and the Community Services Programme.

Budget 2020

Questions (243, 244)

John Curran

Question:

243. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to budget 2020 the current and capital amounts that will be allocated to the RAPID programme, community facilities scheme and community enhancement programme in 2020. [42462/19]

John Curran

Question:

244. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to budget 2020 the current and capital funding to be allocated in 2020 under the RAPID programme, community facilities scheme and community enhancement programme to the Dublin north-east inner city area. [42463/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together.

The original RAPID programme ran from 2001 and closed to new applications in 2011. In 2017, a nationwide re-cast RAPID programme was launched. All areas of the country were eligible for funding, and the funding was administered by Local Community Development Committees.

In early 2018, my Department completed a review of the re-cast RAPID programme and the Community Facilities Scheme (CFS). On foot of this review, I launched the new Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) in May 2018. It replaces and builds on RAPID and the CFS. Combining these schemes makes for a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved.

I allocated €4.5 million (of capital funding) nationally to the CEP in 2019, with €212,306 allocated to the Dublin City Council area. Funding for the 2020 CEP will be finalised through the Revised Estimates process later this year. The amount to be provided to the Dublin City Council area will then be decided prior to the launch of the 2020 programme.

Separately, my Department allocated €6.5 million in 2019 to the Dublin North East Inner City area towards the implementation of recommendations in the Mulvey Report, supporting the social and economic regeneration of an area at the heart of our capital city. Again, funding for 2020 will be finalised through the Revised Estimates process later this year.

Control of Dogs

Questions (245)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

245. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of responses received as part of the public consultation on the review of the Control of Dogs Act 1986; the timeline for the processing leading to his report on the consultation; the date on which he plans to publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42501/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

A public consultation process on a review of measures relating to the control of dogs in Ireland  closed on 6 September 2019.  

The consultation document posed a series of 10 questions, with interested parties requested to provide written submissions or comments on the questions asked.

Approximately 1,000 submissions have been received. The issues raised in the submissions are wide ranging, complex and require analysis, further consultation with stakeholders and an exploration of approaches in other jurisdictions.  This process is underway and I expect the findings of this review to be submitted to me early in 2020.  I then intend to have it published on the Department's website.

LEADER Programmes Data

Questions (246)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount available to each LAG for projects under the present LEADER programme; the amount of expenditure approved for projects to date by LAG; the amount expended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42514/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

LEADER is a multi-annual programme with a total budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020.  €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. This allocation includes both core project funding and administration and animation costs for the LAGs.   

The remaining €30 million in the programme is available for thematic schemes to be delivered at a national level and is allocated as projects are approved.

Table 1 provides a breakdown of the amount allocated to projects for each LAG under the LEADER programme 2014-2020, the value of projects approved to date, and the amount paid to date in respect of projects.  The figures do not include expenditure or approvals under national-level thematic schemes which operate on a competitive bid basis.

Total project expenditure on the current LEADER programme since it commenced, effectively in 2016, amounts to over €35.52 million.  The level of project activity under the programme has increased significantly since the start of 2018 and 2,442 projects have now been approved for funding of over €91.1 million. A further 314 project applications, requesting approximately €26 million in funding, are at various stages in the approval process.  Project expenditure will increase significantly as these projects are implemented and payments are drawn down. 

Table 1: Total LEADER Project Allocations, Approvals and Payments by LAG as of 13 th October 2019

Local Action Group	Core Project Allocation	Value of Approved Projects	Project Payments to date
Carlow	€4,797,811	€2,518,546	€1,404,295
Cavan	€6,409,583	€3,723,016	€1,835,335
Clare	€6,609,050	€4,339,003	€1,300,552
Cork North	€3,805,071	€2,576,917	€913,364
Cork South	€2,839,017	€1,084,290	€419,996
Cork West	€3,628,104	€1,603,015	€354,470
Donegal	€9,628,589	€5,732,276	€3,395,484
Dublin Rural	€4,728,612	€1,734,719	€617,746
Galway East	€5,728,456	€2,050,477	€667,125
Galway West	€3,406,692	€1,456,650	€353,357
Kerry	€7,648,558	€5,766,414	€2,426,555
Kildare	€3,899,564	€1,506,525	€386,545
Kilkenny	€5,791,285	€2,033,590	€860,586
Laois	€5,314,767	€1,521,436	€905,725
Leitrim	€4,498,167	€3,068,680	€953,515
Limerick	€6,942,584	€5,288,318	€1,940,475
Longford	€5,703,537	€1,918,801	€739,482
Louth	€4,551,902	€2,234,980	€784,508
Mayo	€8,248,645	€5,787,706	€2,253,774
Meath	€5,139,855	€3,017,733	€463,207
Monaghan	€5,708,155	€2,690,040	€1,209,444
Offaly	€6,001,669	€3,484,492	€1,897,070
Roscommon	€6,586,752	€4,711,459	€1,025,375
Sligo	€5,726,736	€3,382,525	€1,293,775
Tipperary	€7,564,073	€5,200,098	€1,972,631
Waterford	€5,566,670	€4,033,762	€2,190,951
Westmeath	€5,563,394	€2,591,255	€410,977
Wexford	€7,569,678	€3,901,122	€1,860,764
Wicklow	€4,743,790	€2,151,610	€684,878
Total	€164,350,764	€91,109,455	€35,521,962

Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme

Questions (247)

Gino Kenny

Question:

247. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to include persons in receipt of a partial capacity payment as eligible to participate in training and education and upskilling opportunities, for example, Springboard, in line with the eligibility of those in receipt of disability or jobseeker payments; her views on the unintended discriminatory nature of the ineligibility of those receiving a partial capacity payment and the impact it has on their efforts to secure employment in view of the ratification of the UNCRPD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42356/19]

Written answers

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

My Department provides a range of income supports for persons who are ill or who have a disability.  Two of these supports are the illness Benefit (IB) and Invalidity Pension (IP) schemes.  In summary these schemes operate as follows:

1. Illness Benefit is a payment made to insured people who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.  To qualify for Illness Benefit a person must be unable to work due to illness, under the pensionable age and satisfy contribution conditions.

2. Invalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness.  It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and is not means tested.  To qualify for award of Invalidity Pension a claimant must satisfy both PRSI contribution and medical conditions.

Subject to certain conditions persons in receipt of IB and IP may apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB).  IB and IP are the only primary income support payments from which a person may request to move to a PCB payment.  

The PCB scheme seeks to extend the welfare system by responding to individual situations where a person in receipt of IB or IP retains some capacity for, and wishes to, undertake some work in the open labour market, while also continuing to require income support from the State.  The objective of the scheme is therefore to support such persons to return to the workplace without fear of the loss of their income support.  The level of income support provided where a person moves on to PCB is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction, regarding their capacity for work.

It is important to note in relation to PCB that:

- participation is voluntary.

- a person who participates on the PCB scheme may return to an Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension payment if, for example, the employment ceases or if the person cannot continue to work.

- a person on the PCB scheme, with an underlying entitlement to Invalidity Pension, will retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years.

- there is no requirement that a person must undertake work that is of a ‘rehabilitative or therapeutic’ nature.

- there is no restriction on the number of hours worked.

- there is no restriction on earnings.

PCB has therefore been designed to support persons in receipt of IB or IP to return to work while also continuing to provide them with income support through the social welfare system.  PCB is not designed to provide income support while a person is undertaking an education or training course.  People in receipt of IB and IP (subject to some conditionality) may be permitted to undertake/participate on training or educational programmes; however, they must seek prior written approval from the Department before commencing any such programme.  In addition, (also subject to some conditionality), persons in receipt of IB and IP are eligible for back to education allowance (BTEA).

Courses available through the springboard initiative are open to persons in employment, persons who are unemployed and ‘returners’.  The springboard initiative is delivered by the HEA (see https://springboardcourses.ie/ ) with eligibility for the courses determined by the HEA and the individual universities and other providers delivering the courses available under the initiative.  Persons who are unemployed and in receipt of a related payment, and subject to some conditionality (for example – a person who is unemployed must be in receipt of a payment for nine of the previous 12 months if they wish to participate on the one-year full-time ICT Skills Conversion courses), can access all springboard courses.

 I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (248)

Tom Neville

Question:

248. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied). [42359/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

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 25 March 2019.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 5 June 2019 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.

The SWI has confirmed that a request was sent to the person concerned to attend an interview on 23 October 2019 and requesting further information to assist with the processing of her claim.

Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Code

Questions (249)

James Lawless

Question:

249. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason those in receipt of illness benefit will not receive the Christmas bonus payment which is paid to those in receipt of other social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42405/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I was pleased to announce last week that the Christmas Bonus will be paid again this year at a rate of 100% in early December.

Illness benefit recipients who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for the non-means-tested Invalidity Pension (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria).  Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance (subject to the relevant medical criteria).  All recipients of both of these payments are eligible for the Christmas Bonus, as well as additional benefits including free travel and the household benefits package.  In light of the above, and as Illness Benefit is a short-term scheme, recipients are not currently eligible for the Christmas Bonus payment.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Data

Questions (250)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

250. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients in the Dublin 7 area who receive domiciliary care allowance whose child has a diagnosis of asthma. [42408/19]

Written answers

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

I am advised that the  information requested is not available as the Department does not collate these specific statistics for Domiciliary Care Allowance.

Household Benefits Scheme

Questions (251)

Tom Neville

Question:

251. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a household benefits package application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42443/19]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

An application for Household Benefits was received from the person concerned on 9 October 2019.  A request for further information issued to the claimant on 11 October 2019. 

Upon receipt of the required information, a decision will be made on the person's entitlement and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.