Written Answers Nos. 87-94
87. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 is entitled to the back to education allowance, or any other educational supports from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40788/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of the Department of Social Protection the person concerned has not applied for back to education allowance and has not been in contact since terminating his jobseekers allowance claim in April 2011. The client should contact his Local DSP Office to clarify his entitlements, if any.
88. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to community employment workers, employed at Citizen Information Centres, having regard to the level of training involved, if consideration will be given towards a three year participation contract, having regard to the fact that participants would gain valuable experience and skills to enhance their CV's which would also ensure the maintenance, high quality public service at Citizen Information Centres within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40795/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of CE remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment and/or further education and training. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community. The CE programme is one of a range of training and employment programmes available for unemployed persons. All of these programmes have specific objectives and eligibility criteria that address the specific needs of a wide range of participants.
The criteria for participating on the Community Employment (CE) programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments. The core eligibility criterion for CE is that the person is in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment, as defined on the Department’s public website. This requirement is based on Government policy and Departmental guidelines and has been the rule since CE commenced in 1994.
There are 2 options on Community Employment, a one-year version of CE and a three-year version of CE. Eligibility to participate on either option is determined by the length of time in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, i.e. 1 year in receipt to qualify for 1 year on CE and 3 years in receipt to qualify for the 3-year option (based on annually renewable contracts). There is no entitlement to 3 years under this latter option, only the flexibility to avail of up to 3 years on CE based on the participants progression levels and assessed personal needs at the end of each year. All CE participants are subject to participation caps: 3 years total participation for those below 55 years of age and 6 years total participation for those of 55 to 65 years of age (inclusive of any time spent on CE before reaching 55) – only counting CE participation since 3rd April 2000. Persons qualifying for CE via a disability-related payment can qualify for 1 further year on top of these caps if they are on the 3-year version.
The Citizen Information Centres (CIC) provide a vital service to the public, providing free, impartial information to the public. It is understandable that the CICs would want to retain staff they have spent time training, but staff employed under Community Employment are subject to the terms and conditions of the programme, including the requirement that they leave when their allotted time has expired. If a person was eligible for one year but was retained for three, that would deny two more eligible persons the opportunity of a year’s placement on CE. To reiterate, the aim of CE is to progress unemployed and other disadvantaged persons off the scheme into employment and/or further education and training.
89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review will be undertaken with respect to the recent decision to refuse invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40818/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. One of the contribution conditions for invalidity pension is that the claimant must have 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of claim. Class A, E or H contributions only are reckonable for invalidity pension purposes.
An application for invalidity pension was received from the person concerned. According to the department’s records the person concerned has only 2 qualifying contributions paid in 2011, the governing contribution year in this case and consequently his claim was refused by a deciding officer. The applicant was notified on 21 September 2012 and advised of his right to review or appeal this decision. If the applicant concerned provides documentary evidence that he was employed for more than 2 weeks in 2011 his claim will be reviewed.
90. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a diabetic allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40846/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for diet supplement on 20th July, 2012. He was refused on the grounds that the diet relating to his medical condition was removed from the list of qualifying diets in 2007.
91. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Longford, a lone parent who has given up work to care for a child who has a number of health problems will be entitled to carer's and jobseeker's allowances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40847/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis application for carer’s allowance has been awarded at a rate of €102 per week. This payment will commence on 27 September 2012. The person in question will continue to receive their one parent family payment along with this half rate carer’s allowance. Arrears due from the date of application less any deductions necessary will also issue shortly.
92. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive a hearing aid. [40863/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is qualified for a hearing aid grant under the department’s treatment benefit scheme; however an application has yet to be received. She should contact her audiologist, who will complete the relevant application form.
93. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a hearing aid. [40865/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has not made an application under the treatment benefit scheme. However, she does not fulfil the qualifying conditions for the PRSI-based scheme operated by the Department and as a result is not entitled to a grant towards the cost of a hearing aid. The person concerned may have an entitlement under the medical card scheme operated by the HSE. Her local HSE office will be able to advise her in this regard.
94. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on domiciliary care allowance will be made in respect of a person (details supplied). [40866/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal in respect of the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 March 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 25 July 2012 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
