Tom Neville
Ceist:185. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection when a carer’s allowance payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34156/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (185)
Freagraí scríofa
An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 30 October 2015. As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, the application was awarded to the person concerned on 9 November 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 17 November 2016. Arrears for the period 5 November 2015 to 9 November 2016 have issued by cheque.
The person concerned was notified on 9 November 2016 of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Charities Regulation
Ceisteanna (186, 187, 188)
John Brady
Ceist:186. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if voluntary organisations that are charities must be registered as a charity for participation in the Tús scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34160/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Brady
Ceist:187. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if organisations taking part on the Tús scheme are inspected regularly; if so, the frequency with which checks take place under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34161/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Brady
Ceist:188. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the safeguards in place to ensure that voluntary organisations participating in Tús are legitimate; the measures in place to ensure transparency within organisations on Tús; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34162/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together.
The purpose of Tús is to maintain the work readiness of those on the live register by providing quality placement opportunities and other supports to help people back to the labour market and work.
The Tús initiative is delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta – referred to as Implementing Bodies (IBs). Work placements are identified in the not-for-profit, community and voluntary sectors across the country, through local advertisement and direct contact with eligible organisations by the IBs. Practically all types of work delivered by the community and voluntary sector can be undertaken by Tús participants, once they do not displace existing public or private sector employment. Eligible organisations do not have to be specifically listed on the Register of Charities.
Organisations wishing to offer work placements, or requiring certain work to be undertaken, can contact their local IB. Each IB provides an easy to navigate application process. This involves the work placement provider setting out the work to be undertaken, the skills required and the length of time it is anticipated to execute the works. Additionally, the IB will meet representatives of the applicant organisation and organise an inspection of the works to be undertaken.
While the type of work undertaken is determined locally, it must be consistent with the terms and conditions of the Tús scheme. The Board of each IB must operate selection processes that provide sufficient information to enable a complete assessment of the suitability of placement providers.
The Department takes very seriously any allegations of failure to comply with the conditions of Tús and investigates all such complaints of which it is notified. The Department’s own control measures with respect to Tús are based on a combination of random monitoring visits/inspections of IBs and placement providers and the investigation of any complaints received.
If the Deputy has a specific case he is concerned about, my Department will be happy to investigate it once details are provided.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Housing Assistance Payment Eligibility
Ceisteanna (189)
Pat Deering
Ceist:189. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the assistance that can be provided to a person (details supplied) with regard to rent. [34171/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is administered by Local Authorities.
The client concerned should contact Carlow County Council with regard to any queries relating to his HAP payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (190)
Tom Neville
Ceist:190. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34219/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer’s Allowance (CA) has been in payment to the person concerned for one care recipient since 10 May 2012.
On 15 August 2016, an application for CA was received in respect of a second care recipient. This application was awarded on 10 October 2016 and the first payment of CA at the higher rate of payment issued to her nominated bank account on 13 October 2016. Arrears of allowance due from 18 August 2016 to 12 October 2016 have also issued to her bank account. The person concerned was notified of these details on the 10 October 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (191)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the precise circumstances of alleged overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34261/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned was in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance payment from 5 August 2010 pending the outcome of a jobseeker’s allowance appeal. She subsequently received her first payment of carer’s allowance on 26 August 2010 and did not advise the Department of same. In 2011 following a review of her carer’s allowance it was realised that the person concerned was in receipt of two social welfare payments from the Department and an overpayment was assessed due to the overlap.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pension (Contributory)
Ceisteanna (192)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will again review all previous employments in the case of a person (details supplied), details of which have already been submitted in the course of previous parliamentary questions and that contributions in respect of all such employments have been incorporated when calculating old age contributory pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34265/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned is in receipt of a State pension (contributory) based on the social insurance record available, covering the period from July 1962 to December 2010.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has no recorded contributions for the period 1969 to 1997. In order to check the completeness of his insurance record, the person concerned has been requested on a number of occasions to provide details or evidence of any insurable employment(s) during this period. To date, he has not provided any further information on additional employment(s).
On receipt of any further insurable employment details the application will be reviewed and the person concerned notified of the outcome without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (193)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a rent payment increase in line with documentation will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34266/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Section 19, Part 2 of the new Private Rental Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 a rent increase can only take place if it has been 24 months or more since the commencement date of the tenancy. A landlord must also give a minimum of 90 days written notice prior to increasing a tenant’s rent.
In line with above legislation, the rate of Rent Supplement entitlement for the client concerned was re-assessed and will be increased from 1/12/16.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Exceptional Needs Payments
Ceisteanna (194)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34269/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned was issued with an application form for an exceptional needs payment (ENP) on 21 October 2016. On receipt of completed application, this client will be assessed in respect of his application for an ENP payment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 195 withdrawn.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (196)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34293/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 22 August 2016.
On 21 October 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 this lady will be notified of the outcome.
Carer's Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (197)
John McGuinness
Ceist:197. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of the maximum carer's allowance and respite payments. [34379/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer's allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person/persons and whose income falls below certain limits.
My Department informs me that to date, no application by the person concerned for CA has been received from the person concerned.
Accordingly, I have arranged for an application form (CR1) to issue to him, which he should complete and return as soon as possible, in order that my Department may determine his entitlement to CA.
If he has already submitted an application in the past few days, there is no need to re-submit a new application and my Department will be in touch in relation to the application in due course.
A carer’s support grant (CSG) formerly known as the respite care grant, can be payable to persons providing full-time care and who are not in receipt of CA, carer’s benefit or domiciliary care allowance.
The person concerned has been paid the full CSG for 2014, 2015 and 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (198)
Marc MacSharry
Ceist:198. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision on their application for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34383/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 3 June 2016. Some additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by the deciding officer on 7 November 2016. Once the information is received, the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (199)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:199. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports from a group (details supplied) that Italian authorities tortured migrants, including beatings, sexual humiliation and electric shocks, to meet an EU target of 100% of migrants giving fingerprints; if he will raise the issue with his Italian and EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34114/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
If the allegations made by Amnesty International were to be substantiated, it would be a very serious matter and a cause of great concern. All migrants possess universally-acknowledged fundamental and inalienable human rights and freedoms. In addition, such behaviour would be in complete violation of the safeguards set out in the EU legislation governing the Common European Asylum System, including the regulation regarding the taking of the fingerprints of applicants for asylum, which is a necessary part of the system.
I note that the Italian authorities, who are recognised as having played a very positive role in saving the lives of many thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean, have described the allegations made in the Amnesty report as “totally false”, and the Italian police have categorically denied that violent methods are used.
I will ensure that the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, as the Minister with responsibility for asylum issues, is made aware of these allegations, and I have also asked our Ambassador to Italy to monitor and report on any developments.