Willie O'Dea
Ceist:1241 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [31796/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 29 September 2010
Ceisteanna (1154, 1155, 1156)
Freagraí scríofa
The person concerned was awarded disability allowance at a weekly rate of €326.10 (personal rate of €196.00 plus a qualified adult rate of €130.10) with effect from 20 January 2010. His first payment was made at Limerick Post Office on 4 August 2010. Arrears due from 20 January 2010 to 3 August 2010 were issued by cheque on 19 August 2010.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:1242 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in order to receive child benefit an Irish citizen living and working in Donegal would have to regularly obtain a letter from their employer re-confirming their employment because their spouse who is also an Irish citizen works in the Six Counties and if so whether he agrees that this is a partitionist practice and if he intends to make any changes to the policy. [31903/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraCases such as those described are processed in compliance with Article 68 of EU Regulation 883/2004 and its Implementing Regulation EU 987/09. Where parents are employed in separate member states, Child Benefit is paid by the Member State in which the children are resident. If the rate of Child Benefit in the other Member State is higher, then that Member State is competent to pay a supplement payment equal to the difference. Should the situation change, i.e. in this case, should one parent cease employment or move to employment in the other Member State, then competence for payment of Child Benefit would pass to the Member State of employment.
For this reason, it is part of the Department's control strategy that letters are issued every four months to this category of customer to reconfirm employment and to ensure that customers are in receipt of the correct entitlements. There are no plans to change the policy at present.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:1243 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of returning the Christmas bonus to welfare recipients in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31928/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of a 100% bonus payment, in December 2010, would be approximately €226 million.