Written Answers Nos. 201-215
201. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the decision not to accept the expression of interest under the community services programme made on behalf of a project (details supplied) will be reviewed. [45971/19]
View answerThe organisation in question submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) under the Community Services Programme (CSP) in May 2019. The EOI appraisal process, which is carried out by Pobal on behalf of this Department, is designed to differentiate between those organisations that are, or have the potential to be a good fit with the CSP and those organisations which are deemed to be unsuitable, without putting organisations through the full business planning and application process from the outset.
The organisation's EOI was reviewed by Pobal for suitability and fit with the programme and unfortunately, was deemed to be ineligible for funding as the proposed service is a training and education service. This type of service is not currently supported under the CSP. The complete list of exclusions can be found in the CSP Operating Manual on the following link https://www.gov.ie/pdf/8492/?page=1.
My Department commenced a review of the CSP earlier this year, which is nearing completion. The review is examining how the programme fits with overall Government priorities, as well as with my Department’s other community programmes and policy objectives, and will help inform decisions on the future shape and structure of the programme. Without prejudicing the outcome of the review, the organization in question could consider reapplying in 2020 if the programme criteria change.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an allowance will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45795/19]
View answerThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 24 September 2019 and will reach pension age on 3 April 2020. They are in receipt of Disability Allowance since 17 February 2016 at the maximum rate of payment.
Their pension entitlement to State pension (contributory) was determined under an interim Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation, launched in January 2018, which includes provision for homecaring periods.
Their pension entitlement was assessed as 95.58% of the maximum pension rate of State pension (contributory), based on their social insurance record comprising full-rate contributions and credits, together with homecaring periods. This is the most financially beneficial rate of State pension (contributory) based on their individual circumstances and the correct rate of pension commensurate with their contribution history. They have been notified in writing of this decision on 4 November 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare [45822/19]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady on 8 October 2019. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
204. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a partial capacity benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45834/19]
View answerPartial Capacity Benefit allows a person who has been in receipt of Illness Benefit for six months and who may not have full capacity for work, to return to employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment from the Department.
The personal rate of payment is based on the assessment of the restriction on capacity for work i.e. moderate, severe or profound, where a person retains 50%, 75%, or 100% of their payment respectively.
The Partial Capacity Benefit claim from the person concerned was received on the 16th October 2019 and is currently being processed. The person concerned will be notified as soon as a decision has been made on her claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
205. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of arrears due to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45840/19]
View answerCarer'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 can confirm that arrears of CA due from 31 January 2019 to 6 November 2019, will issue to the nominated bank account of the person concerned on 7 November 2019. The person concerned was notified of this on 4 November 2019.
Arrears of the Carers Support Grant will also issue to the nominated bank account of the person concerned on 7 November 2019. The person concerned was notified of this on 1 November 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
206. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45848/19]
View answerCarer'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 14 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.
Following the SWI report CA was awarded to the person concerned on 30 October 2019 with effect from 21 March 2019. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 7 November 2019.
Arrears of allowance due from 21 March 2019 to 6 November 2019 will also issue.
The person concerned was notified on 30 October 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons who go on a community employment scheme directly from being on jobseeker's benefit are not awarded the fuel allowance during their second year on the scheme in view of the fact that such persons, if they had remained on jobseeker's benefit and progressed to jobseeker's allowance, would receive the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45907/19]
View answerThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €630 each year) from October to April, to over 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €240 million in 2019. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To receive the fuel allowance payment a person must be in receipt of a qualifying long term payment from my Department and also satisfy a means test.
Jobseekers benefit is a short-term non means tested payment. A community employment scheme (CE) is designed to get people back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities and is again not considered a long term payment. Participants on a CE scheme can take up other part-time work during their placement without it affecting the payment rate they receive for participating on the CE scheme. Therefore neither Jobseekers benefit nor CE schemes are qualifying payments for receipt of fuel allowance.
Participants on Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Employment Support Schemes (ESS) such as a CE scheme can be paid fuel allowance where they satisfied conditions for fuel allowance prior to commencing the scheme and where they continue to satisfy the conditions. If the ESS participant was in receipt of a long term qualifying payment prior to going onto the ESS this will allow them to satisfy the qualifying payment element. However, they must also satisfy all other qualifying conditions to qualify for the payment.
Any decision to amend the criteria for receiving fuel allowance to allow a CE scheme to be a qualifying payment would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources and this may include exceptional heating cost.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the maximum rate of payment before means are deducted under the farm and fish schemes for a 22-year-old person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45908/19]
View answerThe farm assist and fish assist schemes provide support for farmers and fishermen/women on low incomes and are similar to jobseeker’s allowance. Recipients retain the advantages of the jobseeker’s allowance scheme such as the retention of secondary benefits and access to activation programmes. The 2020 Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of almost €61 million on the farm/fish assist scheme.
The maximum weekly personal rate for farm assist and fish assist is currently €203 and there are additional increases if a person is also claiming for a qualified adult (maximum weekly personal rate €134.70) or qualifying children (€34 for under 12 year olds and €37 for over 12’s). The weekly farm assist and fish assist payment for a person who qualifies for the scheme is the difference between the total weekly assessed means and the maximum weekly rate for farm assist or fish assist, including increases for a qualified adult and child dependents if applicable.
If a person has any queries about their rate of payment, they are advised to contact their local Intreo Centre where a review can be undertaken. I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
209. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the rise in working hours for carers announced in budget 2020 from 15 to 18.5 hours from January 2020 is applicable to carer's benefit and carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45918/19]
View answerCarer'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.
Carer's benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to a person 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.
A primary qualifying condition for the CA and CARB payments is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care.
However, in order to support a carer’s continued attachment to the workforce and broader social inclusion, a carer may engage in some limited employment, education or training, while still being regarded as being in a position to provide full-time care. During this time of employment, education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.
Since 2006 the number of hours per week that a carer may engage in employment, education or training outside the home has been 15. As part of Budget 2020, this has been increased from 15 to 18.5 hours per week for both CA and CARB from January 2020.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a free fuel allowance will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45964/19]
View answerFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs. The person concerned applied for the fuel allowance on 11 October 2019. In order to ascertain their eligibility for fuel allowance, details of their means were requested on 1 November 2019.
Once this information is received, the person's eligibility for fuel allowance will be determined and they will be notified of a decision without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an extended placement on the Tús programme will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45965/19]
View answerTús commenced operation in 2011 as a response to the high level of unemployment and the large numbers on the Live Register. It is recognised by Government that Tús is a positive initiative that enables the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment. The initiative helps break the cycle of long-term unemployment by providing a work routine and valuable work experience.
Tús provides work placements for a twelve month period for those who have been on the Live Register for one year or more. There are no circumstances under which a person’s term on Tús can be extended beyond one year and it is considered to be optimal in meeting the scheme’s objectives.
If a person is interested in pursuing a work placement with training and development opportunities, it is open to them to apply for a placement on a Community Employment (CE) scheme.
CE participants aged between 21 and 55 years participate on a CE scheme for one year. This can be extended by up to 2 additional years if they are engaged in a recognised training or education award that is helping them progress towards employment. CE participants aged 55 and over can avail of 3 consecutive years on a CE scheme.
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to exceptional needs or other appropriate payments in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45967/19]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department an application for an exceptional needs payment (ENP) has not been received from the person concerned.
An application form was issued to the person concerned on 6/11/19. When the necessary documentation has been received an Officer of my Department will assess the application and contact the person concerned with a decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the appropriate support available in the case of a person (details supplied) with no dependants who is in receipt of invalidity pension in circumstances in which the total rent is €500 per month and the person receives €270 by the way of rent support; if the matter will be examined with a view to clarification as to the reason rent support remains at just over half the rental cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45968/19]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department the rent supplement claim for the person concerned was last reviewed in April 2019. In this application the landlord confirmed a monthly rent of €400 and this was assessed against a state pension (non contributory) of €237 per week. If there has been a change in circumstance since the last review such as an increase in rent it is open to the person concerned to seek a review of his rent supplement entitlement. A review form has been issued to the person concerned. When the necessary documentation has been received an Officer of my Department will assess the application and contact the person concerned with a decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which rent support is available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45969/19]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department the person concerned does not have an existing rent supplement claim. It is open to the person concerned to submit an application by contacting the Rents Unit at PO Box 12188, Dublin 2, by phone 01 6732024 or email rentsectiondublincentral@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy .
215. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied that the fire authorities here have the capacity to respond effectively to a fire in a high-rise residential development in view of the Grenfell fire tragedy in the UK; if there is a national training centre to train fire service personnel in high-rise firefighting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45880/19]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003.
My Department supports fire authorities through setting national policy, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters, providing capital funding for priority infrastructure projects and overseeing and administering a central national training programme delivered using a number of venues around the country rather than one national training centre.
National policy in relation to fire safety is set out in the 2013 document titled “Keeping Communities Safe – A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland”. This document set out a national process and standards against which local authorities can benchmark their fire services.
An External Validation Group was mandated by the Management Board of my Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management to visit all 27 fire services. They prepared the 2016 Report “Local Delivery – National Consistency - Fire Services in Ireland”. The Validation Groups Report indicated that generally the fire services provided in Ireland were operating to appropriate standards delivered with integrity and professionalism by those with responsibility for managing and delivering fire safety and fire services in Ireland. A further External Validation process is due to commence in the near future and it will have a renewed focus on high-rise fire capabilities.
With specific reference to the Grenfell Tower fire in the UK, the Grenfell Tower tragedy took place on 14 June 2017 and I established a Fire Safety Task Force to examine fire safety in Ireland, and in particular the risk of a similar tragedy happening here, on 27 June. The Report of the Task Force which is available on my Department's website, was brought to Government in May 2018.
Overall, the Report, which included a review of fire safety in 839 buildings over 6 storeys, found that the combination of factors that contributed to the Grenfell Tower fire do not seem to be present in Ireland and that the current fire safety strategy in Ireland, which includes evacuation, is appropriate and effective in protecting people living in medium to high-rise buildings.
The Report did, however, make a range of recommendations for improvements in relation to fire safety and work is underway in terms of: regulatory provisions; fire service operations and fire safety, particularly around fire detection and alarm systems.
I have now asked my Department to review the Report on Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which was recently published and to bring forward any additional recommendations as appropriate.
Equipment is generally a matter for fire authorities based on their assessment of fire risk and requirements. However, to support authorities in procuring specialist equipment, as part of my Department's capital programme, Dublin Fire Service has recently received approval to purchase a 42-metre Turn Table Ladder (TTL) and Cork City Fire Service has been approved to purchase a 32-metre Hydraulic Platform.
Copies of both the Report and the Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
Fire Safety Task Force Report:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/fire_safety_in_ireland_-_report_of_the_fire_safety_task_force.pdf .
Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/fire_safety_in_ireland_-_report_summary_of_conclusions_and_recommendations.pdf .
