Written Answers Nos. 83-88
83. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32218/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis man has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 13 July 2016. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 9 November 2016.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
84. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of child care staff employed on a CE scheme who have the required level five qualification; the current number of child care staff employed on a CE scheme who do not have the required level five qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32228/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions his Department is taking to assist former staff who were employed on a CE scheme who do not have the required level five qualification in view of the new requirement for child care staff to have a level five qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32229/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
The Community Employment (CE) Childcare Programme provides an opportunity for jobseekers to gain qualifications and work experience in the childcare sector as well as making an important contribution to community-based early childhood services.
The FETAC Major 5 Award is the entry level requirement to work as a basic practitioner in childcare. My Department is actively supporting CE participants in dedicated childcare placements to achieve the required qualification which improves the career path for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. CE participants are learners in a community childcare setting and are therefore not supposed to be included in the childcare ratios. Most CE participants in the childcare programme are working to achieve the relevant FETAC level 5 or level 6 qualifications. Take-up of childcare places on the Community Employment programme was 1,865 at the end of September 2016. A breakdown of this number into those who have already obtained a Level 5 in Childcare is not available.
The childcare ratios and qualification requirements of those employed in childcare are a matter for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE. I understand that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs are working closely with community childcare crèches to ensure the viability of childcare provision.
86. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection whether back-to-work dividend allowances can be paid into a post office account; if so, the process by which it can be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32238/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to work family dividend (BTWFD) scheme is an in-work payment. Payment by electronic fund transfer (EFT) into a bank account was chosen as the appropriate payment method for the scheme. There is no provision for it to be paid into a post office account.
More generally, the Deputy should note however that customers of the Department can choose between payment at the post office or by electronic fund transfer, subject to overall control requirements.
87. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an illness benefit claim in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will qualify for occupational benefit due to an accident at work. [32248/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA claim for Injury Benefit has been received from the gentleman concerned. The employer has been written to for confirmation of the accident. The man concerned has also been written to for more details on the accident. When this information is received, the claim will be considered further and a decision will be made on the matter.
Injury Benefit is payable in respect of incapacity for work in the 26 weeks following an occupational accident.
Other benefits available under the Occupational Injuries Scheme include Disablement Benefit and Medical Care. The former is payable where a loss of faculty has occurred because of the accident and under the latter certain medical expenses incurred are covered.
Meanwhile, the person concerned qualifies for Illness Benefit and the first payment is going into his bank account today. Further certificates of work incapacity should be submitted so that payment can continue.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration will be given to backdating payment to six months prior to application for domiciliary care allowance in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32259/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from this lady on the 15th October 2015. This application satisfied the qualifying conditions for the allowance and a letter issued on the 11th January 2016 advising of the decision to award the allowance from 1st November 2015. An appeal of this decision was registered on the 8th February 2016 and the case was further examined by a deciding officer. She was notified on the 6th May 2016 that, following an examination of the file, the original decision date was upheld.
This appeal was then forwarded for the consideration of an appeals officer on the 6th May 2016. The appeals officer upheld the decision to award the allowance form 1st November 2016 and she was notified on the 21st June of the decision on her appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
