Written Answers Nos. 233-249
233. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears under the living alone allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20633/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability allowance arrears have been calculated and will issue to the person concerned shortly by his chosen payment method.
234. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20634/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 3rd February 2015. The application was awarded on 19th May 2015 and the first payment is due to issue to the bank on 18th June 2015. Any arrears of allowance due (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 19th of May 2015.
235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if payment will be switched to the appropriate local office in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20637/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker's allowance (JA) claim of the person concerned has been transferred to the Maynooth Branch Office of this Department. This JA claim is currently suspended as the person concerned has been requested to submit a current Garda National Immigration Bureau card and proof of address. When the requested items have been supplied, the claim will be reviewed and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome. The person concerned is currently in receipt of assistance from the Community Welfare Service in Maynooth pending the outcome of the JA claim.
236. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has had discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the provision of a pension scheme for community employment scheme supervisors; the conclusions or outcome of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20639/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that Community Employment Scheme supervisors are the employees of private companies. In the circumstances, it is not possible for the State to take over responsibility for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where those companies are reliant on State funding. This position was confirmed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (D/PER) to this Department in March of this year.
The D/PER’s position is that private companies contracted by the State to provide a service, including those in the community sector, must manage their expenditure pressures, including labour and pension costs, from within existing funding levels.
237. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has given consideration to providing a pension fund for community employment scheme supervisors from within existing funds for community employment scheme supervision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20640/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has given consideration to the provision of a pension fund for Community Employment (CE) Scheme supervisors.
The Deputy will be aware that CE supervisors are the employees of private companies. In the circumstances, it is not possible for the State to take over responsibility for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where those companies are reliant on State funding. This position was confirmed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform to this Department in March of this year.
The provision of State funding for a CE pension scheme could result in potential claims from employees of other companies in the community sector. The State cannot afford this level of exposure to funding pension arrangements.
238. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20651/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo application for disability allowance has been made to date by the person in question.
An application form for disability allowance issued today to the person concerned. He should complete the application form and return it in the envelope provided, upon the receipt of which, his entitlement to a disability allowance payment will be examined.
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the correct level of payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is currently unable to work due to illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20659/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of disability allowance awarded to the person in question is correct based on information provided with his application. If his circumstances have changed, he should forward evidence to this effect and his entitlement will be reviewed.
240. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20665/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person in question on the 10 April 2015 for a second care recipient. The person concerned was refused CA for that second care recipient on the grounds that he is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified on the 30th of April 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
241. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding financial supports available to lone parents in college; her plans to address the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20670/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department remains committed to supporting lone parents who wish to pursue education and training courses.
That is why the Department has decided to allow one-parent family payment (OFP) recipients who are midway through an education course and who are scheduled to transition out of the OFP scheme on 2 July, 2015, to remain on the OFP payment until their course finishes. In some cases, progression to a new course will be considered as part of this arrangement and, as such, customers should discuss their options with their local Intreo Centre/Social Welfare Office.
Customers who are also in receipt of the SUSI grant from the Department of Education and Skills (D/ES) can retain both their OFP payment and their grant, including the maintenance portion of it, until their course finishes – subject to the normal D/ES conditions for the grant. The maintenance grant will continue to be disregarded for means on the OFP payment.
All customers who are scheduled to transition out of the OFP scheme from 3 July, 2015, onwards, will have a youngest child who has just turned 7 years of age. For that reason, any of these customers who are mid-course will be moved to the jobseeker’s transitional payment. They will then have seven years to complete their course before moving to the JA scheme, where the normal JA scheme rules in relation to participation on full time education courses will apply. In addition, any SUSI grant recipients who are in receipt of the jobseeker’s transitional payment are able to receive the full benefit of the grant as it is disregarded for means purposes under the jobseeker’s transitional payment.
242. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an appeal for an invalidity pension. [20671/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 March 2015. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 1 May 2015 and the case will be 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the correct level of weekly payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has no other income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20681/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn completion of a Community Employment scheme on 18 May 2015 the person concerned reverted to a Jobseekers Allowance payment and requested a review of their means from self-employment. The file has been sent to the Social Welfare Inspector for investigation - on receipt of the Inspector’s report the client’s current eligibility may be re-examined.
244. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the age profile, male and female, in five year blocks of community employment scheme supervisors who are currently employed under the community employment projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20687/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table shows the breakdown by gender and 5-year age cohort of CE supervisors at the end of April 2015.
April 2015 CE Supervisor - breakdown by gender and age
|
Age cohort |
Female |
Male |
Grand Total |
|
25-29 |
10 |
2 |
12 |
|
30-34 |
37 |
16 |
53 |
|
35-39 |
77 |
30 |
107 |
|
40-44 |
118 |
39 |
157 |
|
45-49 |
146 |
64 |
210 |
|
50-54 |
165 |
92 |
257 |
|
55-59 |
179 |
123 |
302 |
|
60-65 |
143 |
152 |
295 |
|
Grand Total |
875 |
518 |
1393 |
Source: CSM Extract April 2015.
245. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an liúntas teileafóin a thabhairt ar ais ó tharla go bhfuil an geilleagar ag feabhsú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20693/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBíonn sé mar chuspóir foriomlán ag an Rialtas ina chuid Cáinaisnéisí cosaint a thabhairt do na príomhrátaí leasa shóisialaigh. Tá caiteachas ar phinsin ag thart ar €6.675 billiún ar an mbloc caiteachais is mó sa Roinn i Meastachán 2015, ag léiriú thart ar 34.4% den chaiteachas foriomlán. Mar gheall ar athruithe déimeagrafacha, tá caiteachas na Roinne ar dhaoine scothaosta ag dul i méid bliain i ndiaidh bliana. B’éigean don Roinn foráil a dhéanamh i gcomhair €168 milliún i mbliana toisc an líon méadaithe pinsinéirí. Tá coinneáil ráta an phinsin Stáit agus príomh-íocaíochtaí eile fíorthábhachtach ó thaobh cosaint a thabhairt do dhaoine ó bhochtaineacht.
Mar thoradh ar an gcinneadh deireadh a chur leis an liúntas teileafóin, rinneadh coigilteas bliantúil €48 milliún, rud a d’fhág go raibh an Roinn in ann na gnéithe luachmhara eile den phacáiste sochair teaghlaigh a choinneáil cosúil leis an liúntas leictreachais agus gáis agus an ceadúnas teilifíse. Caithfidh an Roinn thart ar €237 milliún i mbliana ar na gnéithe sin den phacáiste sochair teaghlaigh le haghaidh breis is 415,000 custaiméir.
Tuigim go ríghéar an tábhacht atá le gach íocaíocht den sórt sin do chliaint na Roinne agus go háirithe iad sin atá ina gcónaí leo féin. Mar is eol don Aire, i gCáinaisnéis 2015, thugamar ar ais cuid de Bhónas na Nollag agus mhéadaíomar an liúntas maireachtála aonair go dtí €9 in aghaidh na seachtaine. Bheadh iarmhairtí buiséadacha ag aon chinneadh an liúntas teileafóin a chur ar ais agus bheadh orainn ár machnamh a dhéanamh air i gcomhthéacs na gcainteanna maidir leis an gcáinaisnéis.
246. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if she is aware of the economic hardship being caused by the delay in processing applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20719/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 20th April 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible and that backlogs in claims are kept to a minimum. Customers can assist the department in this regard by ensuring that claim forms are fully completed and that all necessary supporting documentation is submitted. If the means of the person in question are insufficient to meet his needs he should apply for a means tested supplementary welfare allowance from his local community welfare service pending the outcome of his carer’s allowance application.
247. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20799/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to determine the circumstances of the person in question, her file was forwarded to her local Social Welfare Inspector. S/he will arrange to meet with the person concerned as soon as possible.
A final decision on her entitlement to disability allowance will be given on receipt of the Social Welfare Inspectors report. The person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
248. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity pension will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20805/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 21 April 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 25 May 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
