Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Liam Aylward
Ceist:
128
Mr. Aylward
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
if the application under the back to work scheme will be reviewed for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been unemployed for several years and his application for this scheme was rejected in view of the fact he was late in making application.
[2323/99]
The objective of the back to work allowance scheme is to provide a financial incentive to long-term unemployed people, who would not otherwise be in a position to do so, to return to work. It is a requirement of the scheme, therefore, that an applicant must apply prior to taking up employment.
The person concerned commenced employment on 9 June 1998 and applied for the allowance on 24 August 1998. His application was refused on the grounds that his claim was late and that he had already returned to the workforce. There is no basis on which the application can be reviewed within the terms of the scheme.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:
129
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the steps, if any, his Department has taken to ensure that all entitlements are taken up by those people who qualify for them; if it is possible to introduce a system whereby his Department will pro-actively alert individuals to new or further entitlements as they become qualified, in particular in the case of older persons in view of recent advances in information technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2368/99]
My Department uses every method possible to make people aware of the various schemes and services it operates. These methods include information leaflets, factsheets, posters, advertising on radio, TV and newspapers, AERTEL, freephone and direct mailshots where appropriate. Technologies currently in use on the Internet, present new opportunities for the electronic gathering, organisation and publication of information. The Department's web site was established in May 1996 with the objective of providing up-to-date information directly to customers and to groups and agencies involved in distribution of information to the public.
It is our aim that more customers should receive the necessary information at a local, scheme or regional level. There are designated information officers in the Department's 57 social welfare local offices. The Department places great emphasis on training our information officers and keeping them informed on the wide range of schemes that are available.
Our key objective is that the advice supplied is accurate, timely and relevant. We place a particu lar emphasis on ensuring that customers are aware and avail of their full entitlements.
The Department's central information services unit provides information directly to customers and also supports other areas of the Department in their dealings with customers.
Leaflets and application forms are available in social welfare local offices, social welfare branch offices, public offices and some public libraries. Arrangements are also in place with An Post to display and distribute relevant leaflets and application forms through its offices. Leaflets are also available through Citizens Information Centres and in centres under the aegis of ICTU and the INOU. Information relating to particular categories of customers, for example, lone parents, emigrants, pensioners and people with disabilities, is available through their representative groups or through voluntary sector organisations dealing with the categories concerned.
Co-operation between the Department and other organisations has also greatly helped the identification and addressing of specific information needs. Examples include the provision of comprehensive information guides for lone parents, the unemployed, employers, pensioners and emigrants.
My Department takes a pro-active approach to targeting possible future beneficiaries of our schemes and services. An example is that persons receiving social welfare benefits are notified of their potential entitlement to retirement or old age (contributory) pension some three months before the pension becomes due at age 65 and 66 years respectively.
A further example was the "It Pays to Work" campaign run by my Department in September 1998. Every unemployed person on the live register received a newsletter outlining the wide range of employment and educational supports available from my Department, FÁS and other State agencies.
Through its agency, the National Social Service Board, the Department promotes and supports the development of independent advice and advocacy services throughout the country. These complement and enhance the information services provided at local and central level by my Department.
I am continuing to examine further ways of addressing this issue so that the maximum take-up of my Department's schemes is achieved by; further developing the information service so that it is more pro-active, comprehensive and responsive and by participating in initiatives aimed at the development of an integrated approach to the provision of services, particularly information, at a local level.
