Written Answers Nos. 55-84
55. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5789/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 24 November 2015. Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 16 March 2016. Once the information is received the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
56. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath under the carer’s allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5793/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 11 January 2016. The application is currently being examined and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
57. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5796/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 9 October 2015.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) 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 deciding officer will make a decision and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
58. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5799/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 16 February 2016. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
59. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5803/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 21 January 2016. The application is currently being examined and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
60. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5806/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 08th March 2016, 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 Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5808/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 16 February 2016. The average time taken to award a new claim is currently 19 weeks. Delays can be caused by the customer failing to provide full information with their application. Once this application is processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she can apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
62. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí cad é an líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe ina Roinn faoi láthair; cé mhéad duine acu siúd atá ag feidhmiú i bpoist atá daingnithe (i scéim teanga, nó ar aon bhealach eile) mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; an bhfuil sé i gceist aon phoist eile de chuid na Roinne a aithint mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5829/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBa é líon iomlán na foirne sa Roinn ar an 29/2/2016 ná 6927 duine (6524.35 post).
Tá mo Roinn tiomanta do sheirbhís ardchaighdeáin do chustaiméirí a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon. Tháinig Scéim Ghaeilge na Roinne 2015 – 2018 i ngníomh ón 16 Márta 2015 agus beidh an Scéim i bhfeidhm go ceann tréimhse 3 bliana nó go dtí go ndaingneoidh an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta Scéim nua. Leagtar amach sa Scéim seo tiomantais na Roinne ó thaobh na seirbhíse do chustaiméirí i nGaeilge agus tugtar comhairle ó thaobh na seirbhísí a bhíonn ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Foilsítear an Scéim ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne www.welfare.ie.
Faoi láthair tá an Roinn i mbun socruithe a dhéanamh chun trí fholúntas a líonadh inar gá ball foirne atá dátheangach a shannadh. Tá athbhreithniú ar siúl faoi láthair chun líon foriomlán na bpost dátheangach feidhmiúil a bhfuil gá leo sa Roinn a shocrú agus déanfar daoine a shannadh chun folúntais dhátheangacha a líonadh de réir mar a thiocfaidh na folúntais sin i gceist.
63. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Tánaiste agus Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí Coimirce Sóisialaí an bhfuil sé mar dhualgas oifigiúil ar bhaill foirne aonair ar leith de chuid a Roinne seirbhís a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge d’aon duine a lorgaíonn í nó an ar bhonn deonach amháin a thoilíonn baill foirne a Roinne seirbhís trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5845/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá an Roinn tiomanta do sheirbhís ardchaighdeáin do chustaiméirí a sholáthar i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon. Bhain éifeacht le Scéim Gaeilge na Roinne 2015-2018 ón 16 Márta 2015 ar aghaidh agus fanfaidh sí i bhfeidhm ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana nó go dtí go ndeimhníonn an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta Scéim nua. Foilsíodh an Scéim seo, ina leagtar amach gealltanais na Roinne maidir le seirbhís do chustaiméirí i nGaeilge agus a chuireann an fháil in iúl atá ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge, ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne, www.welfare.ie i Márta 2015.
Mar gheall ar an líon mór oifigí Roinne atá ar fud na tíre, ní féidir comhaltaí foirne a bhfuil líofacht dhóthanach acu chun déileáil le custaiméir trí mheán na Gaeilge a bheith ar fáil ag gach tráth i ngach láthair. I ndiaidh suirbhé a dhéanamh ar fud na Roinne in 2015, áfach, luaigh 172 comhalta foirne (2.6% den fhoireann iomlán) go raibh siad toilteanach chun seirbhís a sholáthar do chustaiméirí i nGaeilge ar bhonn deonach. I limistéir nach bhfuil an fhoireann in ann déileáil le duine trí Ghaeilge, cuirtear seirbhís ateangaireachta ar fáil don chustaiméir. Cuireann an tseirbhís seo, ar féidir í a shocrú fiú mura dtugtar ach fógra an-ghearr, ar chumas custaiméirí (tríd an dara sás láimhe nó cluasáin) comhrá a bheith acu leis an bhfoireann trí ateangaire.
Tá na hoifigí poiblí a leanas de chuid na Roinne lonnaithe i gceantair Ghaeltachta: Ionaid Intreo in Acaill, an Clochán Liath agus Béal an Mhuirthead agus oifig bhrainse an Daingin. Is féidir le gach ceann de na hoifigí seo seirbhís dhíreach (seirbhís ar an nguthán / duine ar dhuine) a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge. Tá socruithe á ndéanamh ag mo Roinn faoi láthair chun trí phost fholmha a líonadh óna dteastaíonn comhalta foirne dátheangach a shannadh. Tá athbhreithniú á dhéanamh faoi láthair leis an líon foriomlán poist fheidhmeacha dhátheangacha a dheimhniú a theastaíonn sa Roinn agus déanfar sannacháin chun poist fholmha dhátheangacha a líonadh de réir mar a thagann siad aníos.
Tá an Roinn tiomanta d’fhorbairt agus d’oiliúint leanúnach a chur ar an bhfoireann chun soláthar seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a éascú. Tá fáil ar réimse tacaíochtaí chun na scileanna agus an mhuinín riachtanach a thabhairt don fhoireann túslíne chun seirbhís ardchaighdeáin do chustaiméirí a sholáthar i nGaeilge ar an nguthán, i litreacha agus i bpearsan. I measc na dtacaíochtaí atá ar fáil, tá cistiú d’fhreastal ar chúrsaí oiliúna Gaeilge; cuirtear acmhainní oiliúna, ar nós dioscaí agus leabhair theanga ar fáil; agus cistiú trí scéim Aisíocaíochta Táillí na Roinne, chun an fhoireann a spreagadh chun tabhairt faoi oideachas Gaeilge lasmuigh d’uaireanta oibre.
The Department of Social Protection is committed to providing a quality customer service in both Irish and English. The Department’s Language Scheme 2015 – 2018 took effect from the 16th March 2015 and will remain in force for a period of 3 years or until a new Scheme has been confirmed by the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This Scheme, which sets out the Department’s commitments to customer service in Irish and advises of the availability of services through Irish, was published on Department’s website www.welfare.ie in March 2015.
Due to the large number of Departmental offices nationwide, it is not possible to have staff members with sufficient fluency to deal with a customer through the medium of Irish available at all times in every location. However, following a Departmental-wide survey in 2015, some 172 staff (2.6% of total staff) stated that they were willing to provide a service to customers in Irish on a voluntary basis. In areas where the staff available are unable to deal with a person through Irish, a language interpretive service is offered to the customer. This service, which can be arranged at very short notice, enables customers (through a 2nd telephone handset or headphones) to have a conversation with staff through a language interpreter.
The following public offices of the Department are located in Gaeltacht areas: Acaill, An Clochán Liath and Beal an Mhuirthead Intreo Centres and An Daingean branch office. All of these offices can currently provide a direct (telephone/ face to face) service through Irish. The Department is currently in the process of arranging to fill three vacant posts which require the assignment of a bilingual staff member. A review is currently under way to determine the overall number of functional bilingual posts that are required in the Department and assignments will be made to fill vacant bilingual posts as they arise.
The Department is committed to the continued development and training of staff to facilitate the provision of services through Irish. A range of supports is available to equip frontline staff with the necessary skills and confidence to deliver a quality customer service in Irish by phone, letter and in person. Supports available include funding for attendance at Irish language training courses; training resources such as language discs and books are made available; and funding through the Department’s Refund of Fees scheme, to encourage staff to pursue Irish Language education outside of work hours.
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will pay arrears to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under rent supplement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5850/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe client concerned provided relevant documentation to the Department confirming their income from employment on 22 March 2016. Subsequently a rent arrears payment was issued to the client on 1st April 2016.
65. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will make a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5851/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 23 December 2015. The application is currently being examined and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
66. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when she will make a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the Carer's Allowance Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5855/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 5 February 2016. The application is currently being examined and once the process is completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
67. 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 under the disability allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5856/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 3 February 2016.
On 1 April 2016 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
68. 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 under the disability allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5857/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for disability allowance (DA) from the person in question was received on 12 November 2015. A deciding officer requested financial information on 25 January 2016 in order to determine the means of the person concerned. This information, along with further medical evidence, was received on 2 March 2016 and is currently being examined by a deciding officer.
Once a decision has been made on all aspects of the application, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing.
69. 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 under the disability allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5858/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for disability allowance (DA) from the person in question, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 14 January 2016.
Further evidence was received on 5 February 2016 and this is currently being reviewed by a deciding officer. Once a decision has been made, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing.
70. 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 under the disability allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5859/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 09th December 2015. The case was referred to an Appeals Officer who requested clarification on certain issues from the Department of Social Protection on 01st March 2015.
This clarification has now been received and the Appeals Officer 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.
71. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she has reviewed a claim by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo under the carer's allowance scheme; the outcome of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5860/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of this case took place and the application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 5 March 2016 and the first payment issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 10 March 2016.
Any arrears of allowance due (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue shortly.
72. 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 under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5861/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 3rd July 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 14th October 2015 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
A review of this decision was requested on 2nd November 2015 and additional information on this child’s condition/care needs was supplied. A revised decision allowing the application was made by the deciding officer and the person concerned was notified of this decision on the 26th February 2016.
73. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5866/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 17 November 2015.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 28 January 2016 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 deciding officer will make a decision and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
74. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5870/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 3 December 2015. The application is currently being examined and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
76. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5875/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded a reduced rate of carer’s allowance (CA) from 2 July 2015 as he had income from employment.
Following receipt of notification in March 2016 that his employment had ended, his CA was reviewed and increased to the maximum rate from 12 November 2015.
CA at the higher rate will be paid into the nominated bank account of the person concerned on 7 April 2016 along with arrears from 12 November 2015. The person concerned was notified on 29 March 2016 of these details.
77. 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 under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5877/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 26th August 2015. The original decision in the case was to disallow, as the person concerned did not meet the qualifying criteria. However, following a review of the original decision, the person concerned was notified on the 1st April 2016 that DCA has been awarded in her case.
78. 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 under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5879/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 15th July 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 20th October 2015 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
An appeal of this decision was registered on 9th November 2015 and additional information on the child’s condition/care needs was supplied. The application together with the new information supplied was examined by another medical assessor who considered that the child met the medical criteria for the allowance. Having reviewed the application in its entirety, the deciding officer considered that a revision of the original decision was warranted. The revised decision allowing the application was notified to the person concerned on 18th February 2016.
79. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why payment has ceased to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when will it resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5882/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded a Family Income supplement (FIS) and this weekly payment will be from 24 March, 2016 to 22 March, 2017.
Her FIS payments were suspended pending confirmation of her new bank details.
All arrears of FIS payments have now issued to her designated bank account.
80. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5891/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 3 December 2015. Additional information in relation to the person’s application has been requested by a deciding officer on 1 April 2016. Once the information is received the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
81. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5892/16]
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 14th March 2016 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.
82. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5893/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 21 December 2015. Some additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by the deciding officer on 8 March 2016. Once the information is received the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
83. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will pay the water conservation grant to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [5909/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe eligibility criteria for the Water Conservation Grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Under regulation 5(1) a person who registers with Irish Water, as required under section 5(2)(a) of the Water Services Act 2014, on or before 30 June 2015 shall be eligible to receive the grant in 2015 if they were normally resident at the principal private residence on that date.
So far Irish Water has transferred details of over 1.3 million registered households to this Department. However, the details for the person concerned have not been received by the Department to date.
84. 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 under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5919/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 8th March 2016, 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.
