John McGuinness
Question:900. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons (details supplied) qualify for the fuel allowance or other benefits. [33054/20]
View answerFuel Allowance
Questions (900)
Written answers
Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons. The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). The applicant and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant can have a combined weekly household income of €100.00 above the maximum rates for State pension (contributory) and Increase for qualified adult and still be eligible for fuel allowance.
The person applied for fuel allowance with their State pension (contributory) application on 17 June 2019. Their fuel allowance application was disallowed as their household means were in excess of the above means limit, based on declaration of a second property and self-employment income. They were advised in writing of this decision on 22 August 2019.
It may be the case that the person’s financial circumstances have since changed. I have arranged for a fuel application form to issue to the person concerned. On receipt of the completed application, eligibility for fuel allowance will be examined and the person will be notified in writing of the decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (901)
Pearse Doherty
Question:901. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing a PPSN application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33069/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. A letter issued to the person concerned on 29th October 2020 with details of the PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (902)
Pearse Doherty
Question:902. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for a delay in processing a PPSN application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33070/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that the individual referred to by the Deputy attended an appointment at Letterkenny Intreo centre on 22nd October 2020 and has been allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Questions (903)
Pearse Doherty
Question:903. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for a delay in processing a jobseeker's allowance application for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33071/20]
View answerWritten answers
The application for a Jobseekers Payment for the person concerned has been reviewed by a deciding officer and the claim has been awarded. Arrears, if due, not included in the first payment to the person concerned will issue shortly.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Questions (904)
Pearse Doherty
Question:904. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for a delay in processing a jobseeker's allowance application for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33072/20]
View answerWritten answers
The application for a Jobseekers Payment for the person concerned has been reviewed by a deciding officer and her claim has been awarded. Her first payment was made on the 23rd October. Prior to the application being reviewed the person concerned was in receipt of a One Parent Family Payment.
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (905)
Pearse Doherty
Question:905. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for processing PUP applications for counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan under the level 4 restrictions in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33073/20]
View answerWritten answers
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and the self-employed who have lost their job on or after 13 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Payment is paid in arrears, with the payment week running from Friday to Thursday. Payments are received on the following Tuesday.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for this payment is online at mywelfare.ie. Over 90% of applications are received online.
In the case of individuals who applied for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment since the start of the level 4 restrictions in Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal, the average waiting time for processing PUP applications between a person’s last day of employment and the claim being processed is outlined below. Once processed, the payment is with the customer the following Tuesday.
|
COUNTY |
Days |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
I hope that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Illness Benefit
Questions (906)
Pearse Doherty
Question:906. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) with a confirmed Covid-19 related illness had their enhanced illness benefit payment reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33074/20]
View answerWritten answers
The enhanced Illness Benefit payment is paid for a maximum of 10 weeks where a person is medically certified with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19.
Where a person has received the maximum of 10 weeks enhanced Illness Benefit payment for a positive diagnosis of Covid-19, the payment will revert to the normal Illness Benefit rate of payment providing a person qualifies for payment under existing Illness Benefit eligibility requirements.
The person concerned received enhanced Illness Benefit for the maximum 10 week period. Her payment then reverted to the normal illness benefit payment at a rate of €203 per week, and she has been fully paid up to date.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (907)
Pearse Doherty
Question:907. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if further documentation was received by her Department from a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made in relation to their Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33075/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently managing a large number of review requests for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) re-rate at this time.
The person in question has been in receipt of weekly payments from the Dungloe Community Welfare Officer (CWO) pending a decision on his PUP entitlements and re-rate review. Following a completed review of the person’s records, I can advise the Deputy that the PUP in question has been re-rated to €350 per week with weekly payments available in the nominated bank account of the person concerned from 3rd November.
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
Questions (908)
Holly Cairns
Question:908. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 527 of 15 September 2020, the number of individuals which applied for the humanitarian assistance scheme after flooding in County Cork in August 2020; the number of applications that were successful and denied, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33114/20]
View answerWritten answers
On 4th August 2020 I opened a Scheme which provided urgent funding to small businesses, community and voluntary organisations in the South West region who have been affected by flooding due to heavy rainfall.
The Emergency Humanitarian Scheme, funded by my Department and administered by the Irish Red Cross on its behalf, provides urgent funding to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations who could not secure flood insurance and have premises that have been damaged by recent exceptional weather events.
This Scheme is designed to provide urgent help to those who have not been able to secure flood insurance, providing up to €20,000 in cash for emergency repairs and replacement of damaged stock or equipment. Businesses, sporting, voluntary and community organisations can use the funding to return their premises to their pre-flood condition, including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant.
I have set out in the table below the information requested by the Deputy:
|
Number of applications (businesses) which applied for the scheme: |
Number of successful applications |
Number of unsuccessful applications |
Number of pending applications (further information is required to progress these to complete) |
|
27 |
17 |
4 |
6 |
Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Questions (909)
Mick Barry
Question:909. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the pandemic unemployment payment to workers in an airline that are out of work due to the Covid-19 pandemic but are receiving a standard €203 weekly payment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33124/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is payable to an employee where they have lost their employment due to the pandemic and they are not being paid by their employer. Where a person does not meet the qualifying criteria for receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment they may apply for a jobseeker's payment or short time work support for days of unemployment subject to satisfying the conditions of the scheme.
The maximum weekly personal rate of jobseeker payments is €203. Increased allowances may be payable in respect of qualified adults or children. Budget 2021 provided for increases in the rates of payment for qualified child dependants.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Back to Education Allowance
Questions (910)
Bernard Durkan
Question:910. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review for back to education allowance can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33169/20]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned applied for and was refused participation in the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) Scheme. She was informed of this decision by letter dated 7/10/2020 and afforded the option of seeking a review if she was not satisfied with the decision of the deciding officer.
On the basis of supporting documentation provided by the person concerned, the BTEA application was reviewed and has been approved. The person concerned was advised of the outcome in writing on 30/10/2020.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (911)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:911. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a jobseeker's allowance and childcare allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33180/20]
View answerWritten answers
All Jobseekers’ applications are examined in the first instance to assess eligibility for Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) with the option of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) should a customer not qualify for JB or qualifies for JB at a lower rate.
The person concerned submitted a Jobseeker’s application with effect from 8/6/2020. She did not qualify for JB on the basis that she had not paid Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions in the relevant governing contribution year, which was 2018. The person concerned was then assessed for JA which is a means-tested payment.
The weekly household means for the person concerned were assessed at €385 based on her spouses’ earnings. The weekly rate of JA for her family’s composition was €386 effective from the date of application, 8/6/2020 until 22/9/2020. Due to the assessed means of €385 a weekly JA payment of €1 is applicable and arrears of €15.30 will issue to the person concerned on 3/11/2020.
With effect from 23/9/2020 the weekly JA rate for this family composition reduced to €373.70, due to the enhanced allowance for an Adult Dependent reverting back to the original rate of €134.70. The Adult Dependent Allowance had previously been enhanced to €147 per week during the period 25/3/2020 to 22/9/2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the means of the person concerned are currently in excess of the prescribed limit for receipt of a JA payment.
A decision letter issued to the person concerned on 30/10/2020 advising her of the outcome of her application and informing her of the option to appeal the decision of the deciding officer to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision, it is open to her to appeal the decision within 21 days of the decision date.
It is also open to the person concerned to contact the Community Welfare Service in the Dun Laoghaire Intreo Centre to seek assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme if she is experiencing financial difficulties. This service is available by phone at 01 2145540 or by email at CWSDunLaoghaire@welfare.ie.
A Child Benefit application was received from the person concerned on 22/10/2020 and has been awarded. Payment, including arrears, was issued to the person concerned on 30/10/2020.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Question No. 912 answered with Question No. 838.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (913)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:913. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a PPSN for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33232/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that the individual referred to by the Deputy attended an appointment for SAFE Registration for a Public Services Card at Letterkenny Intreo centre on 30th October 2020 and has been allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 914 answered with Question No. 838.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Questions (915)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:915. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a PPSN for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33248/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has allocated a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) to the individual referred to by the Deputy. A letter issued to the person concerned on 27th October 2020 with details of the PPSN.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (916)
Brendan Griffin
Question:916. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when Covid illness benefit will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33258/20]
View answerWritten answers
The enhanced Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned has been processed. A payment of €291.67 issued to the person concerned on the 27th October 2020 paying her the full amount due to her for the duration of her claim.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (917)
Seán Sherlock
Question:917. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of contracts approved in her Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33279/20]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.