Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
251 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has received a report from the Attorney General on cases pending regarding appeals on social assistance claims in which old shares in Kerry Co-op are being assessed at an arbitrary value of €31.74; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26289/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe value of shares and other assets held by applicants for old age non-contributory pension is taken into account in assessing their means.
Earlier this year, my Department sought legal advice regarding the value of certain shares held by a married couple for the purpose of determining their entitlement to this pension. The Attorney General's opinion on the matter is being reviewed by my Department. This review is expected to be completed shortly.
252 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason persons in Avoca and the greater Avoca area can no longer sign on in the Avoca Garda station and now have to do so in the office in Arklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26305/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, recipients of unemployment payments who reside more than six miles from their nearest social welfare local or branch office sign a declaration at their local Garda station for the purpose of proving unemployment. This service was instituted, as a service to customers, at a time when transport was less frequent and travel was more difficult than today.
My Department is implementing a modernisation action plan aimed at improving customer service and at enhancing control. In this context the role of signing at Garda stations has been reviewed and it has been concluded that the service has long since ceased to be appropriate and is taking from, rather than adding to quality customer service.
The new signing arrangements, which balance customer service requirements with effective control measures, will be introduced in two phases. At the end of November 2004, all customers who currently "sign on" at Garda stations will self-certify and return their signing docket directly to the social welfare local or branch office. In the early part of 2005 the following revised signing arrangements will apply: customers residing up to ten miles, 16 km, from their social welfare local or branch office will attend that office once every four weeks for certification purposes; customers residing more than ten miles from their social welfare local or branch office will self-certify every four weeks and attend the office every 12 weeks. These customers will be offered the flexibility to attend at the office on any day in a designated week; a flexible approach to certification will be adopted for customers on offshore islands and other remote areas of the country and they will not, as a general rule, be required to attend the social welfare local or branch office.
These changes represent a significant improvement in customer service by enabling all unemployed customers have direct contact with their social welfare local or branch office where they can be directed to the many educational and work supports available to the unemployed.
Approximately 80 unemployed customers living in Avoca and the greater Avoca area sign on at Avoca Garda station. Under the new arrangements these customers will sign on at Arklow local office every four weeks.
To qualify for unemployment payments a person must show that he or she is available for and genuinely seeking work. A number of people from the Avoca area travel to Arklow and further afield to work. In the normal course my Department would expect unemployed customers from the Avoca area to take up offers of employment in the Arklow area and to travel there on a daily basis. In these circumstances it is not unreasonable to require customers from the Avoca area, who are actively seeking work, to travel to Arklow every four weeks for certification purposes.
However, if any customer has particular difficulties with the revised arrangements, my officials in Arklow will be glad to consider these and make whatever adjustments are considered appropriate.
