Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:283. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will comment on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3624/24]
View answerSocial Welfare Payments
Questions (283)
Written answers
The Person Concerned has not made an application for Jobseekers Benefit in the last number of years. It appears they have sufficient contributions in the Governing Contribution Year (2022) for an application to be submitted for Summer 2024. Based on their weekly earnings it appears they would be entitled to full rate Jobseekers Benefit subject to the other conditions for receipt of Jobseekers Benefit being met.
As we do not have an application for The Person Concerned and assumption of entitlement can not be determined. They should make an application for Jobseekers Benefit on the first day of unemployment.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (284)
Bernard Durkan
Question:284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a one parent family allowance and any other outstanding payments will be made available to a person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3657/24]
View answerWritten answers
An application for the Person Concerned was received for consideration on the 28/12/2023.
In the case to which you refer, the Deciding Officer felt it appropriate to send the application to the Social Welfare Inspector to examine some further details.
The file remains with the inspector and is actively being investigated. Once the investigation is complete, and the Inspector returns the file to the Deciding Officer with a written report, a decision on the claim can be made, ensuring all qualifying conditions attached to the scheme are met.
If The Person Concerned is experiencing financial difficulty pending a decision on their One Family Parent application they may apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance through the Community Welfare Service.
gov.ie - How to access Community Welfare Services (www.gov.ie).
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (285)
Bernard Durkan
Question:285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance might be approved and paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3658/24]
View answerWritten answers
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and habitual residency conditions.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 25 October 2023.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, this application for DA was refused on failing to supply sufficient information, as requested on 3 November 2023, to determine the person's means. The requested information is in relation to bank accounts held by the person.
In addition, their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that they were substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision 15 January 2024 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (286)
Bernard Durkan
Question:286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3665/24]
View answerWritten answers
Fuel Allowance (FA) may be payable to certain households in receipt of long-term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. Only one FA is payable per household.
The person concerned is in receipt of Carer's Allowance from my Department, which is not a qualifying payment for FA. However, the person's spouse is in receipt of Invalidity Pension, which is a qualifying payment. Eligibility for the payment can only be established on receipt of a completed application for FA. An application form has been issued to the person in question. Alternatively, it is possible to apply for fuel allowance online. A MyGovID account is required in order to apply online.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Code
Questions (287)
Bernard Durkan
Question:287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if entitlement to ENP might be examined and approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3670/24]
View answerWritten answers
There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).The Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DP) in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.Departmental records show that the person concerned has not made an application for assistance under the SWA scheme. If the person is experiencing financial difficulties they can apply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and providing all relevant documents in support of their application. For convenience, an application pack has been posted to the person concerned. On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the claim will be assessed, and the person will be advised of the outcome in writing. Alternatively, if the person concerned has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie. Further information on all of my Department’s schemes and payments is available at www.gov.ie.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (288)
Bernard Durkan
Question:288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the household benefits package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3672/24]
View answerWritten answers
There is no record of a recent Household Benefits Package application form having been received from the person concerned.
The person concerned can apply online at MyWelfare.ie for the Household Benefits Package as they have a verified MyGovID account, or they can complete the application form which has issued to them.
On receipt of their application, the person's entitlement will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Human Trafficking
Questions (289)
Bernard Durkan
Question:289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which the international community remains alert to the activities of terrorist gangs throughout Europe and further afield and currently involved in the trafficking of women and children; the number of prosecutions taken or pending to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3691/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that combatting the serious crime of human trafficking is a priority for the international law enforcement community. Disrupting criminal networks engaged in trafficking in human beings is one of the EU’s priorities for the fight against serious and organised crime under EMPACT (the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) for 2022 to 2025.
Ireland is fully committed to implementing EMPACT effectively and An Garda Síochána is participating in a significant number of EMPACT operational actions to combat human trafficking.
The European Commission published a proposal for an updated EU Anti-Trafficking Directive in December 2022 to strengthen the rules that prevent and combat human trafficking. Once adopted, the revised Directive will provide stronger tools for law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate and prosecute new forms of exploitation and Ireland opted into, and continues to be actively involved in, the negotiations on this important file.
EU Member States and international partners have established a wide range of fora to discuss new developments in terrorism and to exchange information and best practices in countering terrorist threats. In addition, relevant domestic and international law enforcement agencies and security services continue to prioritise investigations into the activities of terrorist organisations.
As was noted in Europol’s annual European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TE-SAT) for 2023, terrorist groups often engage in a range of criminal actions, including human trafficking, to finance their terrorist activities.
At a national level, the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 and the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Act 2013 are main pieces of legislation that deal with human trafficking. Under these Acts, courts can impose penalties of up to life imprisonment and unlimited fines on those convicted of trafficking. I am informed that in 2023, 9 cases of human trafficking involving 12 individuals were being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination unit (HTICU) and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit (OPIU) attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) are continually engaged with our international law enforcement partners in the fight against the transnational crime of trafficking in human beings.
All law enforcement partners throughout Europe, South America, Asia and USA share intelligence and cooperation in the fight against THB with the goal of identifying victims and bringing them to safety.
An Garda Síochána are also intent on disrupting, dismantling, and prosecuting Organised Crime Gangs involved in these crimes
An Garda Síochána further advises that GNPSB does not comment on ongoing investigations or operations that may prejudice ongoing investigations within the criminal justice system.
Prison Service
Questions (290)
Mark Ward
Question:290. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of people in prison who were on waiting lists to access to psychology services as of early 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3411/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Prison Psychology Service provides an integrated service to people in custody. Specifically, this means the Psychology Service is responsible for both mental health and criminogenic (offence related) assessment and interventions. Irish Prison Service Psychologists are qualified mental health practitioners and the largest body of mental health professionals employed directly by the Irish Prison Service.
The Psychology Service works primarily through a layered care model, providing primary, secondary and tertiary level mental health care to people in custody. A layered care model provides clients with access to a variety of responses, from minimal interventions such as whole population approaches with the Red Cross and primary care mental health interventions, to more specialist mental health and personality disorder treatments. A layered care model is slightly different to a stepped care model in that it recognises that many people require a variety of interventions at different intensities to meet their needs and enables clinicians and clients to construct their own individual treatment package.
Referrals include: mood and anxiety disorders; neurotic and stress related disorders; disorders of personality and behaviour; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) including complex PTSD; self-harm and suicidal behaviour; substance use; eating disorders; psychosis and schizophrenia; addiction; dementias; cognitive decline traumatic brain injuries; impulse disorders, and disorders of sexual preference. In addition, the Service works with people presenting with intellectual disorders and difficulties, disorders of psychological development, for example, Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and behavioural and emotional disorders with onset in childhood e.g. attention deficit (e.g. ADHD, conduct disorders, attachment disorders).
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that in January 2024 there were 1,804 people in custody on the waiting list for psychology services.
The Prison Service also collaborate with the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) to ensure the appropriate provision of psychiatric services to those in custody with a psychiatric diagnosis such as schizophrenia, psychosis and major mood disorder in all closed prisons.
The NFMHS has advised that its caseload is circa 350 patients who are ordinarily in the custody of the Prison Service, approximately 7% of the total prison population.
A waiting list for the admission of prisoners to the CMH is operated by the NFMHS and is reviewed on a weekly basis. Over the last three years, the number of prisoners on the waiting list has varied between 15-25 patients. It should be noted that all prisoners placed by NFMHS consultants on the waiting list have been clinically assessed as warranting admission to the CMH, which is a tertiary care facility.
I can also advise the Deputy that Budget 2023 provided additional dedicated funding of €970K to increase the number of psychologists employed by the Irish Prison Service. This has led to new psychology posts being identified from the funding provided, including 1 WTE Principal Specialist Psychologist, 2 WTE Senior Psychologists and 7.4 WTE Staff Grade Psychologists.
A competition was held in September 2023 and a panel is in place with assignments now been made. The WTE Principal Specialist Psychologist role remains vacant, but has been filled by an Acting up post by way of an Expression of Interest. The 2 WTE Senior Psychologists and 4.4 WTE Staff Grade Psychologist posts have been filled.
Budget 2024 provides an additional circa €27 million for the Irish Prisons Service. This includes approximately €9m in staffing to provide for increased pay roll costs, recruitment of staff, and for 65,000 additional hours to deal with current pressures.