Written Answers Nos. 56 - 63
57. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of arrears will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16091/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability allowance arrears have been calculated and will issue by cheque to the person concerned in the next few days.
58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate when full child benefit will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16, with particular reference to that person's daughter, in view of the fact that the children’s father returned from another European Union country two years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16143/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reapplied for child benefit in August 2014. In order to determine her entitlement to child benefit it was necessary to make enquiries in relation to her spouse’s employment in Germany and his entitlement to family benefits in that State. Correspondence in relation to this matter issued to the German authorities on 12 December 2014, with a reminder issued on 23 March 2015. No reply has been received to date, but based on experience of this type of case a reply could take between 3 and 6 months.
On receipt of a reply from the German authorities entitlement to child benefit will be examined and the person concerned will be notified accordingly.
59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if all proposals in relation to the provision of suitable accommodation for her Department in Ballybay, County Monaghan as outlined by the Ballybay Clones Municipal District, Monaghan County Council, have been given full consideration, to ensure the retention of her Department's Offices in Ballybay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16160/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the acquisition of accommodation for the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In this context, all correspondence which has been submitted to DSP regarding potential alternative accommodation for staff currently located on Main Street, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan has been forwarded to OPW for consideration and where appropriate, engagement with the relevant property owner.
60. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a reduced state pension (non-contributory) in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16179/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 12th March 2015, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
61. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details, in respect of both Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland, of any planned new branch openings or planned branch closures in County Cork during the remainder of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16004/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have referred the Deputy's question to the banks for comment and have received the follow responses:
Allied Irish Banks:
The bank has confirmed that it has 34 branches in County Cork and has no plans to close any during the remainder of 2015. This response refers to AIB branches and does not include EBS outlets.
The bank has further commented that if there are any future plans regarding the branch network in 2015, these will be communicated at the appropriate time.
Bank of Ireland:
The bank has responded that, in accordance with the relationship framework between the Department and the bank, it is the responsibility of the Board of the bank to make decisions regarding the day to day operational issues of the bank.
62. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to his Department's publication of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation's special liquidators' progress update report dated 12 March 2015, if his attention has been drawn to the contents of the National Asset Management Agency rate cards for professional and legal advisers being applied by the special liquidators; if he approved those rate cards; the contents of those rate cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16029/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the contents of the rate cards applicable to professional and legal advisers providing services to the National Asset Management Agency; if he approved those rate cards; the contents of those rate cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16030/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra65. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the basis upon which fees are calculated for professional and legal advisers, in relation to the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation's special liquidation, for those firms not charging by reference to a National Asset Management Agency rate card; if he has approved the relevant rates or fees; the full particulars of the relevant rates or fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16032/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 63 and 65 together.
I am advised by the Special Liquidators that they have sought to minimise legal fees to the greatest extent possible. Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (in Special Liquidation) conducted a competitive tender process in order to establish a panel of legal firms. Reduced and/or capped fees were included in the tenders. The Special Liquidators can confirm that the rates per the NAMA rate cards are reduced hourly rates or fixed costs for specific pieces of work.
The Special Liquidators can also confirm that they have successfully negotiated fee rebates from many of the legal firms.
The Special Liquidators cannot disclose information on the particular rates being charged as this is confidential to each of the legal firms. However, there is a summary table of the total gross and total net professional fees associated with the Special Liquidation of IBRC to 31 December 2014 contained in the recent Progress Update Report, a copy of which is available on the Department of Finance website.
