Written Answers Nos. 112-134
112. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the supports available for the establishment and operation of men's sheds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45085/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection does not provide support targeted specifically for the establishment and operation of men’s sheds. The Department does provide funding to assist local organisations and agencies to implement projects addressing the social and economic circumstances of recipients of welfare payments, to enhance their employability through education, training and personal development opportunities and to improve their quality of life. Where projects are eligible to be supported, this can be done under the range of schemes and programmes the Department delivers in support of activation and social inclusion objectives.
113. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her policy on the payment of single-parent payments; her views on the concerns of single fathers who express concern at the fact that they feel discriminated against, where most single-parent payments are paid to the female in situations where both parents, living separately and apart, are awarded joint custody and take equal responsibility for the cost of rearing the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45093/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe one-parent family payment (OFP) is a payment for both men and women aged under 66 years who are bringing up a child or children without the support of a partner.
To qualify for the one-parent family payment a person must meet the conditions of the scheme as set down in legislation. These conditions include the requirement that the applicant has main care and charge of at least one child who is residing with them.
When the Deciding Officer determines who has main care and charge of the child(ren) the decision is based on the actual circumstances of the case as well as any Court Order that may be in place. In cases where there is an actual 50-50 split of equal and shared parental responsibilities between both parents, it is deemed that neither parent has main charge of the child(ren), and as such, neither parent would have an entitlement to the one-parent family payment, however, they may be eligible for an alternative income support payment from the Department.
The eligibility rules for the one-parent family payment do not discriminate between genders. The payment is available to both men and women in the same manner once they meet the conditions of the scheme. The majority of one-parent family payment recipients are women as in most cases they have main care and charge of the child(ren).
In circumstances where one parent qualifies and is in receipt of the one-parent family payment, the other parent can apply for an alternative income support payment from the Department.
115. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a person (details supplied) who is unemployed and available for work but who is in receipt of no State benefit and who was informed of not being entitled to sign on for credits; if she will outline the options open to this person; the person's current payments and the person's position regarding credits under the State pension, contributory, scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45138/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is currently claiming credited contributions at her local Intreo Centre; there is no record of her being advised that she is not entitled to do so. Following the Deputy’s question, the Intreo Centre has contacted the person concerned. An appointment has been arranged for her to attend the office on Wednesday 16 December 2015 in order to ascertain her circumstances, and advise her of the various options open to her with regard to credits and payments.
116. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45146/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people who have a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.
The person concerned re-applied for CA on 17 July 2015. The application has been referred to a social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess means and to confirm that all conditions of the scheme are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a deciding officer will make a full decision and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
117. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45148/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 3 November 2015. A request for information, omitted from the application, issued to her on 26 November 2015.
Once the requested information is supplied, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
118. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45150/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 28 November 2015 and the first payment issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 3 December 2015.
Arrears of allowance due from 20 August 2015 to 2 December 2015 have also issued.
119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45152/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 22 September 2015. The application has been referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 28 November 2015 to assess means and to confirm that all the conditions for the scheme are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
120. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of families who have a person employed in the public service and who are in receipt of, or have been in receipt of, family income supplement, by cost, for each of the years 2010 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45153/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide support for employees, with families, who have low earnings.
It should be noted that the expenditure for public servants who are receiving FIS is included in the overall expenditure figure given. A separate breakdown of expenditure for public servants is not currently available.
The total numbers in receipt of FIS, the number of public servants and the total annual expenditure since 2010 are given in the table.
Table --- FIS Numbers and Expenditure 2010-2015
|
Year |
Expenditure - € million |
Recipients - Families |
Number of Public Servants |
% Public Servants in receipt of FIS |
|
2010 |
186.0 |
28,223 |
3,151 |
11% |
|
2011 |
204.5 |
28,876 |
2,976 |
10% |
|
2012 |
223.3 |
32,307 |
2,860 |
9% |
|
2013 |
261.5 |
44,159 |
3,777 |
9% |
|
2014 |
297.7 |
50,306 |
3,902 |
8% |
|
2015 |
349.2** |
54,229*** |
3,822 |
7% |
** Estimate *** end October 2015
121. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45154/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 11 November 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.
123. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a record is kept of calls made by private investigators to her Department on behalf of financial institutions seeking information on social protection recipients; if figures are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45182/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department takes its responsibilities in relation to data protection very seriously. Every effort is made to ensure that personal customer data is used solely for business purposes and that it is not compromised in any way. The Department has data protection and information security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines in place governing the use of its computer systems and customer data.
It is not appropriate, nor permissible, for customers’ personal data to be disclosed to private investigators acting on behalf of financial institutions. The Department is very aware of the threat posed by those who attempt to illegally elicit personal data.
All allegations of data breaches are fully investigated and the Department cooperates fully with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in all its investigations. Data accesses by staff are logged and are subject to audit. In addition, telephone logs are maintained and can be accessed to help aid investigations. The telephone logs give the telephone numbers of callers but not their identities. In the event of an investigation the identity of the caller can be ascertained. 8.1 million telephone calls were answered by the Department in 2014. It would not be feasible or practical to identify all callers.
A range of specific measures are in place to strengthen data protection governance and compliance within the Department.
All members of staff of the Department are regularly reminded of their data protection obligations and the consequences of not adhering to policies such as: pay reductions through loss of increments, loss of entitlement to enter promotional competitions and dismissal. Staff members are required to sign annual undertakings that they have read, and will act in accordance with, data protection policies and guidelines.
A number of alerts have issued to all staff notifying them of bogus calls to the Department and giving information on modus operandi and persona adopted by the bogus callers.
A high-level working group is in place to examine, and progress, all aspects of data protection compliance in the Department.
In June the Department ran its annual Data Protection Awareness Week for staff. Activities this year included a data protection newsletter issuing to all staff; a very effective short video on social engineering was developed and made available to all staff; presentations were made to hundreds of staff nationwide and posters were exhibited in headquarter and local offices drawing attention to the importance of securing customers’ personal data.
125. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a claim for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45210/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department has received an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 24 November 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
126. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an appeal under the invalidity pension scheme; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45213/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer 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.
128. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [45249/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 16 October 2015.
The application has been referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 14 November 2015 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
129. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an appeal under the carer's allowance scheme; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45252/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.
Following a review, it was determined that the person in respect of whom CA was being paid, no longer required full-time care and attention.
The person concerned was notified on 18 November 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The additional information included with this question will be accepted as a request from the applicant for a review of this decision. Once the review is completed, the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, carer’s allowance will remain in payment.
130. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon has not been awarded farm assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45253/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 2 December 2015 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
131. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a review under the domiciliary care allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45260/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 30th April 2015. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 12th August 2015 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
A review of this decision was requested on 9th September 2015 and additional information on this child’s condition/care needs was supplied. The additional information provided, together with the original application, was recently re-examined by a deciding officer with the benefit of the opinion of another medical assessor. The deciding officer does not consider that a revised decision is warranted at this time, as the child is not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter outlining the position issued to the person concerned on 11 December 2015.
132. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an appeal under the invalidity pension scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45267/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 1 December 2015 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
133. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45268/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a successful appeal, the application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 21 November 2015 and the first payment issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 26 November 2015.
Arrears of allowance due from 21 August 2014 to 25 November 2015 have also issued.
134. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45328/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.
Following a review, it was determined that the person in respect of whom CA was being paid, no longer required full-time care and attention. The person concerned was notified on 18 November 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
To date, no request for a review or appeal has been received from the person concerned.
