Written Answers Nos. 149-157
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if further consideration will be given to awarding child benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41755/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn this case, the children's mother previously applied for child benefit. Her claim was disallowed in September 2012, as she did not satisfy the habitual residence condition. The children’s grandmother then applied for child benefit on behalf of her grandchildren. This claim was also disallowed on the 17th of January 2013, as she was not deemed to be the qualified person in the household to claim the benefit in accordance with Social Welfare legislation. The children's mother has now submitted an appeal against the decision to disallow her claim. This appeal is currently being processed and she will be informed of the outcome as soon as the appeal decision is complete.
150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if disability allowance or basic supplementary payments will be paid and are up to date in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41757/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 September 2013, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. I understand that the person concerned is in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance at a weekly rate of €215.00 per week and is currently paid up to date. 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the level of weekly payment and total receipts in respect of one-parent family allowance, jobseeker's allowance and supplementary welfare allowance in lieu thereof for each of the past four years in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41758/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of this Department, the level of weekly and total payments in respect of the person concerned under the relevant schemes are set out in the following tables and include payments for fuel allowance, where appropriate.
One Parent Family Payment
|
Year |
Dates |
Weekly Rate |
Total Paid |
|
2009 |
01/01/09-13/05/09 |
€228.70 |
€4345.30 |
|
14/05/09-23/09/09 |
€204.80 |
€3891.20 |
|
|
24/09/09-16/12/09 |
€228.70 |
€2744.40 |
|
|
17/12/09-30/12/09 |
€306.20 |
€612.40 |
On 17/12/09, the person concerned received a payment of €1,782.50 in respect of arrears of One Parent Family payment due.
|
Year |
Dates |
Weekly Rate |
Total Paid |
|
2010 |
31/12/09-06/01/10 |
€306.20 |
€306.20 |
|
07/01/10-05/05/10 |
€309.30 |
€5258.10 |
|
|
06/05/10-16/06/10 |
€285.40 |
€1712.40 |
|
|
17/06/10-29/09/10 |
€255.60 |
€3834.00 |
|
|
30/09/10-29/12/10 |
€279.50 |
€3633.50 |
|
|
2011 |
30/12/10-05/01/11 |
€319.50 |
€319.50 |
|
06/01/11-02/02/11 |
€271.50 |
€1086.00 |
|
|
01/09/11-07/12/11 |
€247.60 |
€3466.40 |
|
|
08/12/11-04/01/12 |
€267.60 |
€1070.40 |
During 2011, total arrears arising of €1,018.90 for One Parent Family payment and fuel allowance was paid to the person concerned.
|
Year |
Dates |
Weekly Rate |
Total Paid |
|
2012 |
05/01/12-11/04/12 |
€267.60 |
€3746.40 |
|
12/04/12-16/05/12 |
€247.60 |
€1238.00 |
|
|
17/05/12-10/10/12 |
€220.10 |
€4622.10 |
|
|
11/10/12-17/10/12 |
€240.10 |
€240.10 |
|
|
18/10/12-02/01/13 |
€267.60 |
€2943.60 |
During 2012, total arrears arising of €178.70 for One Parent Family payment was paid to the person concerned.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
|
Year |
Dates |
Weekly Rate |
Total Paid |
|
2011 |
17/02/11-29/08/11 |
€245.60 |
€7,122.40 |
Jobseeker’s allowance was not paid in the period 2009-2012 in respect of the person concerned and basic supplementary welfare allowance payments in lieu thereof were not paid in 2009, 2010, or 2012.
152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to dental benefit and the nature of the treatment for which they are eligible in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41759/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraEntitlement to benefit under the treatment benefit scheme is based on PRSI contributions paid. The qualifying criteria vary depending on age, but for someone aged between 21 and 66 the current rules are that they must have:
(1) At least 260 reckonable (Class A, E, H, or P) contributions paid since first starting work, and
(2) At least 39 such contributions paid or credited in the 2011 year.
According to the Department’s records, the person concerned has made a total of 104 qualifying contributions since first starting work, with none of these recorded in 2011. As a result she is not currently eligible for dental benefit under the treatment benefit scheme.
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the refusal of guardianship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41760/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) on 21 November 2011 in respect of her granddaughter. The Deciding Officer refused the claim on 30 May 2012. The decision was appealed and subsequently upheld by the Social Welfare Appeals Officer on 15 May 2013. The decision of the Social Welfare Appeals Officer is final and can only be revised on the presentation of new facts or evidence, or by the Chief Appeals Officer if it is claimed that the Appeals Officer has made a mistake in fact or law.
154. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding restoration works at Killarney House; the date on which it will open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41706/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2011, I announced a major refurbishment programme for Killarney House and its ornamental grounds and gardens. The House will be developed as the main visitor and interpretative centre for Killarney National Park, highlighting the beauty and interpreting the richness and significance of the Park's landscapes, habitats, flora and fauna, as well as telling the story of man's interaction with the Park over the centuries. It is also intended that some of the formal rooms will be restored to their former glory.
This project involves collaboration between my Department and the Office of Public Works, as the project managers, and Fáilte Ireland, which has committed funding of €5.2 million under its Tourism Capital Investment Programme. A phased approach to the restoration has been adopted. The first two phases, which have now been completed, were required to safeguard the structural integrity and to create the optimal internal layout of the House in preparation for the full restoration works.
The next phases of works will include the full refurbishment of the main building, the construction of a new extension, the exhibition fit-out and extensive landscaping and other works to the ornamental grounds and gardens. Planning permission has been granted and substantive works on both the House and gardens are scheduled to begin later this year, with completion planned for 2014.
155. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to address the deteriorating condition of Knockreer House and Gardens, Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41784/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department keeps under review the condition of infrastructure in its care, including properties in the National Parks. Priority works that support the effective management of the National Parks are regularly carried out as part of an annual capital works programme. While the funding available for the 2013 National Parks capital programme has already been fully allocated, a review of the programme is being carried out at present and, subject to the future availability of funding, the planned scheme of remedial external works to Knockreer House will be considered in that context.
156. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht what consideration is being given by him to the re-introduction of funding the Heritage Council local community grants scheme in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41629/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for the Heritage Council to decide, in accordance with its statutory remit, how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports, having regard to competing priorities for the resources that are available to it at any particular time. In this regard, I understand that the Council made a decision to suspend its community grants scheme in 2013.
The allocation to the Heritage Council in 2014 will, of course, be subject to the normal budgetary processes. While every effort will be made to continue to provide resources for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, the Deputy will appreciate that the scope in this regard is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances.
157. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he or his Department has given consideration to the implementation here of a simple three digit 24/7 non-emergency contact for every citizen to interact with Government, semi-State, public bodies and organisations, charitable/voluntary and support services, that will assist callers in dealing with health, educational, civic, local government, social problems and so on; if he or his Department has examined the way this successfully operates in places such as the USA and Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41559/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no function regarding the implementation of the proposal set out in the Deputy's Question. It is a matter for each Government Department and public body to ensure that appropriate information is available to the public in relation to the services provided by them and to determine the manner in which such information is provided.
