Written Answers Nos. 115-130
116. Deputy Ciara M. Conway asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of the Waterford Crystal settlement process; the progress in issuing lump sum payments in cases where the number of years worked was in dispute; the reason for the delay in settling such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2152/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mediated agreement for former Waterford Crystal workers, which covers 1,774 scheme members, provides for the payment of:
(a) a tax-free once-off lump sum of €1,200 for every year of Scheme Service, not exceeding 40 years, plus
(b) payment of monies in respect of pensionable service which is payable from the normal retirement date of the scheme members (on a fortnightly basis).
To date 1,589 lump sum payments, (including payments to spouses of those with pensions adjustment orders) have been authorised totalling €42.4 million. Work is ongoing in the Department to process any outstanding payments of lump sums for those who have accepted the terms of the agreement.
During the Mediation on the Waterford Crystal Pension Factory and Staff Schemes it was agreed by the parties that a dispute resolution procedure would be set up whereby disputes in relation to individual cases would be referred to a dispute resolution process under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. The dispute resolution procedure is solely and exclusively for individual disputes concerning personal employment information particular to the individual used for the calculation of lump sums and monies in respect of pensionable service as set out in the letter of offer and/or deed of release including scheme service dates and calculations.
It is my understanding that the Dispute Resolution Officer is actively engaged in examining all cases which have been submitted to him and these will be acted on by the Department once that process is completed.
The finalisation of all aspects of the mediated agreement is a matter of priority, both for me and for the Department. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to progress payments as quickly as possible.
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the procedure to be followed to reactivate the employment record of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2156/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to have her Spanish social insurance record transferred from Spain to Ireland, the person concerned should call to her local office with details of her social services number in Spain, the addresses of any residences where she lived in Spain and the details of each employment, including the name and address of each employer and the commencement and termination of employment dates of each employment while in Spain. This information is necessary in order to for the Department to request essential information from the Spanish Authorities to support their claim.
It is open to the person concerned to submit an application for jobseeker’s allowance which is a means tested payment and not dependant on her social insurance record.
118. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application by a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2170/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel allowance, under the National fuel scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
An application for fuel allowance was received from the person concerned on 27 November 2015. The weekly household means were assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit for fuel allowance. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed and the person concerned was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 14 January 2016.
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the procedure to follow to transfer a rent supplement payment as quickly as possible to a new address in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2191/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new application for rent supplement must be made when a client of Rent Supplement moves to a new address. An application has been issued to the client. They should submit this updated Rent Supplement Application to the Mid Leinster Rents Unit so that their entitlement to Rent Supplement at this new address can be assessed.
120. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost in 2016, based on the projected number of persons accessing direct provision, of increasing the weekly adult rate from €19.10 to €23.00, €24.00, €25.00, €27.00, €28.00, €30.00, €32.00, €34.00, €36.00, and €38.74; and of increasing the weekly child rate from €9.60 to €12.00, €14.00, €15.00, €16.00, €18.00, €20.00, €22, €24.00, €26.00, €28.00 and €29.80; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2192/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe direct provision allowance is a non-statutory payment administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to persons in the Direct Provision system. The Government has provided €3.6 million for direct provision allowance in 2016.
The Government has recently approved an increase in the weekly direct provision allowance payment in respect of children from €9.60 to €15.60 from January 2016. The full-year cost in 2016 of this increase is approximately €345,000.
There are approximately 3,000 adults and 1,100 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom the direct provision allowance is being paid. The full-year cost in 2016, based on the current numbers, of increasing the weekly adult rate from €19.10 to €23.00, €24.00, €25.00, €27.00, €28.00, €30.00, €32.00, €34.00, €36.00, and €38.74; and of increasing the weekly child rate from to €12.00, €14.00, €15.00, €16.00, €18.00, €20.00, €22.00, €24.00, €26.00, €28.00 and €29.80; is provided in the attached tabular statement. The numbers of persons seeking asylum in Ireland is increasing which would increase the costs as set out.
The Report of the Working Group on the Protection Process recommended an increase in the rate of the direct provision allowance payment for both adults and children which will be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform in due course.
Adult Rate and full-year cost of rate increase.
|
Adult Rate €19.10 |
Additional full year cost to increase adult rate from €19.10 to amount |
|
Increase to €23.00 |
€608,400 |
|
Increase to €24.00 |
€764,400 |
|
Increase to €25.00 |
€920,400 |
|
Increase to €27.00 |
€1,232,400 |
|
Increase to €28.00 |
€1,388,400 |
|
Increase to €30.00 |
€1,700,400 |
|
Increase to €32.00 |
€2,012,400 |
|
Increase to €34.00 |
€2,324,400 |
|
Increase to €36.00 |
€2,636,400 |
|
Increase to €38.74 |
€3,063,840 |
Child Rate and full-year cost of rate increase.
|
Child Rates |
Additional full year cost to increase child rate from €9.60 to amount |
Additional full year cost to increase child rate from €15.60 to amount |
|
Increase to €12.00 |
€137,280 |
n/a |
|
Increase to €14.00 |
€251,680 |
n/a |
|
Increase to €15.00 |
€308,880 |
n/a |
|
Increase to €16.00 |
€366,080 |
€22,880 |
|
Increase to €18.00 |
€480,480 |
€137,280 |
|
Increase to €20.00 |
€594,880 |
€251,680 |
|
Increase to €22.00 |
€709,280 |
€366,080 |
|
Increase to €24.00 |
€823,680 |
€480,480 |
|
Increase to €26.00 |
€938,080 |
€594,880 |
|
Increase to €28.00 |
€1,052,480 |
€709,280 |
|
Increase to €29.80 |
€1,155,440 |
€812,240 |
121. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the invalidity pension scheme will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2198/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe department received a claim for invalidity pension (IP) from the person concerned on 20 July 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 21 September 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. The person concerned requested a review and appeal of this decision and submitted further medical evidence on 21 October 2015 in support of his request. Following a review of all the information available it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified on 14 January 2016 of the outcome of the review.
As the person concerned has appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO), a submission is being prepared by the department and will be forwarded to the SWAO for determination.
The SWAO will be in touch with the person in question in due course in relation to the progress of their appeal.
122. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the policy of linking claims under the jobseeker's benefit scheme, given the difficulties it is causing seasonal workers who make repeat claims each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2225/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker's benefit scheme provides income support for people who lose work and who have the required number of social insurance contributions. The 2016 Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure on jobseeker’s benefit of €369 million.
Initially when a person makes an application for jobseeker’s benefit, 3 waiting days apply and payment is from the 4th day of the claim where there is no accrued holiday entitlement. In the administration of the jobseeker’s benefit scheme the concept of continuity in a claim and the notion of “linked claims” is a key component of how the jobseeker’s benefit scheme operates in practice. Where a person makes a repeat jobseeker’s claim within 26 weeks from the end of a previous claim, both claims may be linked and no waiting days apply. This applies to all jobseeker’s benefit claimants, including seasonal workers. Where a person makes a claim for jobseeker’s benefit more than 26 weeks from their previous jobseeker’s claim 3 waiting days are served and payment commences on the fourth day.
To better facilitate Department of Social Protection customers, I have introduced a system where all new or repeat customers can make an appointment, at a time that suits them, with their local Intreo office to discuss or submit their application form.
As part of my Department’s modernisation programme and the public service reform plan, the Department has moved into the delivery of online services. This means that, for the first time, customers will be able to make an application for a jobseeker’s benefit payment online from 29 January 2016, using the MyWelfare.ie portal. MyWelfare.ie is designed to enable clients to access personalised Department of Social Protection services by registering for, and creating a personal account. The portal has been operational since July 2015 and currently allows customers to book PPSN and Public Service Card appointments.
For jobseeker’s benefit, the on-line application form on MyWelfare.ie has been developed in a way to ensure that the staff who will be processing claims will receive all of the information that they require in a usable format so as to be able to make an informed decision in a timely manner without further recourse to the customer.
It should also be noted that if a person signs off from jobseeker’s benefit to take up work for up to 12 weeks, there is a fast track system in place to ensure they are able to make this transition in an easy and efficient manner. This fast track system allows the individual to quickly sign back on their jobseeker’s scheme and then continue to receive benefits after the work or course finishes.
123. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if application processes for all schemes will continue to have paper-based options for those who do not have access to broadband and who do not wish to apply online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2243/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is committed to providing a professional, efficient and courteous service to all customers, providing and delivering the highest quality of service in accordance with the guiding principles of Quality Customer Service, as adopted across the public service and endorsed by Government.
The Department delivers services and support on a daily basis to its customers across a range of contact channels including telephone, SMS text messaging, websites, online services, walk-in services, and paper. This provides an integrated service, giving customers more choice in how they access the services they require and the Department will continue to provide services and information to customers through their preferred channel, where possible.
The application processes for all schemes will continue to have paper-based options available for those who are unable or do not wish to apply on-line. Customers can access application forms from their local Intreo centre or nearest Citizens Information Centres and can get assistance in completing their forms, if required.
124. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for a list of all buildings surveyed and evaluated by the Office of Public Works, which it has furnished or not to her, regarding the provision of a new building in which to house the Department of Social Protection offices currently situated on Main Street in Ballybay, County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2265/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is the exclusive procurer of office accommodation for the Civil Service and the sole authority for allocating space to the Civil Service. While we are aware that the OPW looked at a number of properties, we are not aware of the extent of survey and evaluation. Following visits to a number of properties, the OPW narrowed their list down to two properties that would meet the accommodation brief previously submitted by my Department. These properties were:
1. Ballybay Enterprise Park, Ballybay, County Monaghan.
2. Teach O’Cleircin, Monaghan Town, County Monaghan.
125. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the instructions she gave to the Office of Public Works on providing office space in which to house the Department of Social Protection offices currently located in Ballybay, County Monaghan; what was taken into consideration when reaching the decision to give such instructions; if she was lobbied or requested by any public representative or third party to have these offices removed from Ballybay and placed in Monaghan town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2266/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works were presented with a brief of requirements from Department of Social Protection that would meet the immediate Department’s accommodation needs in the Monaghan area. These needs included a building that would accommodate the following:
- 32 number of staff
- Public and back office accommodation requirements (2-4 PSC Booths & 1 Interview Room, reception and a waiting area).
- Storage and communications rooms
- Staff toilets and rest room
- Canteen facilities, post/store room, etc.
The key considerations for the Department included, the need to ensure that all outstanding Health and Safety issues with the current/proposed building would be adequately addressed; the need to ensure that the existing/new building could serve the public (for taking Public Services Cards) and accommodate the additional staff that were being assigned to the unit. The provision of a Public Services Card Centre for the public in County Monaghan was an urgent business need of this Department. The OPW, our procurer of property, had other issues to be addressed, including resolving issues relating to the existing/new building, complying with the new Building Control Regulations 1997-2015, and the associated costs of any remedial or fit-out works.
The Department has not been lobbied or requested by any public representative or third party, to have these offices removed from Ballybay and placed in Monaghan town.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if arrears have issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2273/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was paid arrears of jobseeker’s allowance amounting to €938.40 on 17 December 2015, covering the period 2nd December 2015 to 22 December 2015. No further arrears are due in this case.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of eligibility under the fuel allowance scheme of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2274/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for an increase under the fuel allowance scheme on 2 July 2014. The increase was awarded from that date and the increase remains in payment during the current fuel season.
