Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:33. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the cap on rent allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2542/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent Supplement Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (33)
Freagraí scríofa
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 61,000 people, for which the Government has provided approximately €267 million for 2016.
Properties are being secured under the scheme with over 20,100 rent supplement tenancies awarded during 2015, of which 790 were in the Kerry area. There are currently approximately 1,600 rent supplement recipients in county Kerry.
In view of the reduction of supply in the private rented market and increasing rents at this time, in particular for urban areas, the Department has implemented a policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits for both existing customers and new applicants to the rent supplement scheme. The circumstances of tenants are considered on a case-by-case basis and rents are being increased above prescribed limits, as appropriate. This flexible approach has provided assistance to 26 rent supplement householders in Kerry where rent payments have been made in excess of the prescribed limits. Analysis on a leading property website indicates that there is rental accommodation available in some locations in Kerry within the prescribed limits.
Persons in receipt of rent supplement who may be at risk of losing their tenancy as a result of increases in rent are urged to contact their local Community Welfare Service without delay.
I am continuing to keep this matter under close review.
Jobseeker's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (34)
Jack Wall
Ceist:34. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a social protection payment for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2546/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) on 3rd July 2015. His application was disallowed on the grounds that he was deemed not to have satisfied the Habitually Resident Condition (HRC). He successfully appealed the HRC decision and he may be eligible for JA subject to meeting the other conditions of entitlement, e.g. being available for and genuinely seeking work (GSW). On 5th January further information was requested related to his claim and no reply has been received to date.
Civil Registration Legislation
Ceisteanna (35)
Jim Daly
Ceist:35. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied with the situation that industrial relations issues involving registrars who are Health Service Executive employees have delayed implementation of some of the provisions of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 for more than 12 months, thus preventing grieving families from obtaining death certificates for loved ones who died abroad, despite the Houses of the Oireachtas passing such a law in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2550/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Staffing and resolution of industrial relations issues in the Civil Registration Service are a matter for the HSE. However, I am concerned about the matter and my officials, while not directly involved in the dispute, have made the HSE aware of these concerns. I understand that discussions are ongoing and that good progress has been made and it should be possible to commence further sections of the Act early in 2016.
The Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 was signed into law in December 2014. The provisions of the Act are being commenced on a step by step basis dependent on factors including software development (which is well underway) and training of registrars. This work is being progressed as quickly as possible.
Section 13 of the Act provides for a record of deaths of Irish citizens who die while abroad (referred to in the Act as the ‘record of deaths abroad’). Section 13 has not yet been commenced.
The industrial action by employees of the Civil Registration Service of the Health Service Executive, while being a factor in the delay to the commencement of Section 13, does not in any way prevent the relatives of a person who dies outside the State obtaining a Death Certificate in the country where that death occurred. When a person dies outside the State a Death Certificate is issued by the authorities in that jurisdiction. This certificate is the official Death Certificate.
On commencement of section 13 of the Amendment Act, the recording of a death on the ‘record of deaths abroad’ will be non-mandatory. A certificate of entry on the record of deaths abroad does not purport to replace the Death Certificate.
Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (36)
Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:36. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to the refusal of an application under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; if she will expedite it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2560/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (37)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:37. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2589/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 18 November 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Fuel Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (38)
Jack Wall
Ceist:38. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow under the fuel allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2595/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no record of a Fuel Allowance application form received from the person concerned. An application form has now been sent to her by post.
Community Services Programme
Ceisteanna (39)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:39. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a group (details supplied) in County Kerry and proposed cuts to its budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2605/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The company referred to by the Deputy is supported by the Community Services Programme. Following a full examination of its operations in 2013, a number of concerns were raised relating to the outputs being achieved by the company, when compared with similar operations nationally. They were informed that the Department could not sustain the level of financial support should the level of outputs not increase. The funding contract included conditions relating to the need for the company to generate additional income and diversify its services to improve performance. Improved financial monitoring, risk strategy, structures, policies and procedures were also recommended to the board to improve the company’s operations. Pobal provided supports and feedback subsequently to staff to assist in meeting these conditions, including the offer of training.
Regrettably, there has been no noticeable improvement in the level of outputs achieved. The company will participate in a re-contracting process in spring 2016 for consideration of a further three year contract to cover the period 2017-2019. They will be invited to a regional support session in February 2016 and will receive a site visit from a development co-ordinator in the coming weeks.