Tuesday, 27 Jun 2017

Written Answers Nos. 524-542

Traveller Community

Ceisteanna (524)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

524. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding Traveller support and services provided by her Department in each county; the groups, agencies and voluntary bodies involved; the cost of same for each county for the past three years and to date in 2017; her plans to set up an advisory group to report on the minimum levels of support and services from her Department that should be available in each county to address the needs and the rights of Travellers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29688/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, has primary responsibility for Traveller and Roma policy. The Department of Justice and Equality has recently finalised a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy containing actions to bring about improvements in the quality of life of Travellers and Roma, including children.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the national policy framework in relation to children and young people, contains a range of commitments to Traveller and Roma children, addressing issues such as health, education, and social inclusion. The State of the Nation’s Children Report (2016), includes a specific section on the population of children in the Traveller Community; along with a number of findings related to Traveller children, in areas including nutrition, self-esteem, drug and alcohol use, family relationships and feelings of safeness within the community. The National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making (2015-2020) contains specific actions to strengthen participation in decision-making by Traveller children and young people.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory responsibility to ensure each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. Tusla's education welfare service, comprising the statutory Education Welfare Service, the School Completion Programme and the Home School Community Liaison scheme, are key supports for children who are vulnerable to early school-leaving and educational disadvantage, including Traveller children.

Children and families from the Traveller Community who require additional support or are identified as vulnerable, also avail of other mainstream services within Tusla. Tusla works in partnership with local authorities, the Health Service Executive and schools to ensure an integrated response to the needs of children and families from the Traveller community, including public health nursing, disability services, and other relevant services. Tusla is operating and supporting a number of integrated and inclusive Traveller specific projects, and provides counselling grants to organisations serving the Traveller community. I have referred the question to Tusla and asked them to provide the information on these matters directly to the Deputy.

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is provided to support 30 national and major regional youth organisations. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. In 2017, current funding of €57 million has been provided to my Department for these schemes which are open to all young people.

The Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2) and the Local Drug Task Forces LDTFs operate several youth work initiatives that are specifically aimed at young Travellers, such as the initiatives operated by Involve, Exchange House Traveller Youth Service and Travact. In general, these youth work initiatives entail consultation with the local Traveller community, the involvement of members of that community in the management of the project and liaison with other voluntary and statutory agencies operating in the youth service sphere. Other projects funded other than these schemes may include services and activities for young travellers but they are not exclusive to young travellers. The following table sets out allocation to traveller youth projects for the period 2015-2017:

-	2017 Grant	2016 Grant	2015 Grant
Exchange House Traveller Youth Service (which includes Exchange House: Labre Park and, St. Margaret’s Ballymun)	€267,722	254,973	€248,754
Travact	€79,854	76,051	€74,196
Services to Young Travellers, Tallaght	€80,343	76,517	€74,651
Southside Travellers Action Group, Dublin	€44,486	42,367	€41,334
Tallaght Traveller’s Youth Service	€45,359	43,199	€42,145
Traveller Youth Project, Priorswood, Dublin 17	€36,269	34,542	€33,699
Exchange House TYS, St. Margaret’s, Dublin	€59,339	56,513	€55,135
Southside Travellers Action Group, Dublin	€76,274	72,642	€70,870
Clondalkin Travellers Development Group, Dublin	34,749	33,094	€32,287
Ballybane Educational and Social Project for Young Travellers, Galway	€12,408	11,817	€11,529
Ballybane Traveller Youth and Integration Project, Galway	€110,052	104,811	€102,255
Involve projects, Galway	€22,043	20,994	€20,482
Rathkeale Youth Project , Limerick	€80,343	76,517	€74,651
Limerick Youth Service Young Traveller Programme	€17,868	17,017	€16,602
Traveller Youth Project, Waterford	€59,597	56,759	€55,375
Offaly Traveller Movement Project	€45,470	43,305	€42,248

Involve local Projects	2017	2016	2015
Carlow Youth Project	€14,138	€13,464.40	€13,136.00
Donegal Youth Project	€35,601	€33,906.18	€33,079.00
Tallaght Youth Service		€0.00	€2,165.60
Ballinasloe Community Youth Project	€41,347	€39,378.00	€36,425.81
Ballybane Social and Education Project (subsequently Galway Hillside Traveller Youth Group)		€0.00	€1,992.40
Salthill Youth Project	€20,076	€19,119.58	€18,653.00
Step Up Youth Project Loughrea	€22,301	€21,238.72	€20,720.70
Western Traveller Development Youth Project, Tuam	€33,563	€31,964.63	€31,185.00
Athy Traveller Youth Project, Kildare	€1,398	€1,331.86	€1,299.00
Leitrim Development Company	€15,103	€14,384.08	€14,033.20
Longford Youth Service	€13,052	€12,430.69	€12,127.50
Meath Youth Project (Navan)	€45,946	€43,758.00	€40,525.00
Ballina Youth Project	€73,811	€70,296.55	€68,582.00
Midland Regional Youth Service, Offaly	€15,197	€14,472.87	€14,120.00
Tipperary Regional Youth Service	€17,854	€17,003.40	€16,589.00
Wexford Development Company	€22,282	€21,220.96	€20,703.40
Bray Travellers Project, Wicklow	€2,144	€2,042.18	€1,992.00
Wicklow Traveller Development Group Ltd	€792	€754.72	€736.30

Youth Homelessness Strategy

Ceisteanna (525, 526)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

525. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to ascertain the level of LGBT youth homelessness; her plans to produce a targeted response to this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29714/17]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

526. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to ascertain the level of migrant youth homelessness; her plans to produce a targeted response to this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29715/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.

Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection, including children who are homeless without their parents. The Agency is obliged to provide care for these children for as long as their welfare requires it. There is always an underlying reason for a child to be homeless without their parent/guardian. Tusla carry out an assessment and will usually receive a child in such circumstances, into care. Their care plan will address the underlying causes. In a small number of cases they may provide accommodation and support to a 17 year old.

All children received into care are the subject of an assessment. While there is no specific plan for LGBT or migrant children received into care, the reasons for their homelessness forms an integral part of their assessment and care plan, through which appropriate services and supports will be identified. When they leave care at 18 years of age, young people are offered a wide range of services from different sectors including income supports, health supports, accommodation and education. While the provision of housing is a function of the housing or local authorities, Tusla co-operates with the housing authorities as part of aftercare planning.

In cases where an unaccompanied minor arrives into the country, an assessment is undertaken and the child is either taken into care or provided with accommodation under Section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991. My Department has no role in housing for young migrants over the age of 18, or for members of the LGBT community over the age of 18, unless they qualify as having been previously in care.

At a national level, the Programme for Government committed to developing a LGBT Youth Strategy, and work has already commenced in my Department in this regard. This is a key commitment for my Department which will a contribution towards the Government’s broader commitment to continue to strive for full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Ireland. A specific focus on LGBTI+ Youth will aim to ensure that appropriate measures are taken so that young people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are not in any way prevented from achieving their full potential.

I also understand that the Department of Justice and Equality will shortly commence work on a national LGBT Inclusion Strategy, a process which will include identifying specific areas of Irish society and policy in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBT people.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (527)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

527. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details and county location of capital projects announced by her Department in March, April, May and to date in June 2017. [29777/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The following grants were awarded under the Capital Grants Scheme for Play and Recreation 2017 in the period concerned:

County / Local Authority	Amount
Carlow	€7,000
Cavan	€7,000
Cork County	€7,000
Donegal	€5,000
Dublin City	€14,000
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	€14,000
Galway County	€11,000
Kerry	€15,000
Kildare	€14,000
Longford	€14,000
Laois	€14,000
Meath	€15,000
Monaghan	€15,000
Offaly	€7,000
Roscommon	€14,000
Sligo	€14,000
South Dublin	€14,000
Tipperary	€8,000
Westmeath	€14,000
Wexford	€14,000
Wicklow	€13,000
Total:	€250,000

No other capital grant announcements have been made by my Department in the period specified.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (528)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

528. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of Civil Service clerical officers in full-time employment in her Department as of 31 May 2017 by county, in tabular form. [29844/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

There are 46 Clerical Officers working in my Department, including nine Temporary Clerical Officers. Of these 46, 39 are full time employees. All are based in Dublin.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (529)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

529. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of full time Civil Service clerical officers in her Department that have either retired, resigned or been promoted from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2017, by county, in tabular form. [29860/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Please see the following table with the information requested. All our staff are based in Dublin.

Status	2015	2016	2017
Retired	2	5	-
Resigned	2	2	-
Promoted	-	2	4

All of the above worked on a full time basis, except for one of the retirees in 2016.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (530, 531)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

530. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of full-time Civil Service clerical officer appointments made in her Department from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2017 by county, in tabular form. [29884/17]

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

531. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of temporary Civil Service clerical officer appointments made in her Department from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2017 by county, in tabular form. [29902/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.

There were 28 full time Clerical Officer appointments made in my Department from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2017. All the posts were in Dublin.

There were 25 Temporary Clerical Officer appointments made in my Department from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2017. All the posts were in Dublin.

Youth Services Provision

Ceisteanna (532, 533)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

532. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the criteria for the local youth club grant scheme has changed to prioritise groups in which 75% of the youth members are between ten and 21 years of age and to require 75% of members to be between ten and 21 years of age. [30065/17]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

533. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered that scout groups could be disadvantaged by the change to the local youth club grant scheme that requires groups to have 75% of youth members between ten and 21 years of age, in view of the fact the entire unit, which may have three to four sections, is required to apply as a single unit but this will include children from six years of age that are feeders for the groups above ten years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30066/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together.

My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and communities throughout the country.

I am pleased to confirm that I have allocated an extra €5.5 million in current funding to support the provision of youth services in 2017. This will bring the total youth funding by my Department to €57.4 million, an increase of 10% over last year's allocation. The additional funding is being used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services.

The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through the local Education and Training Boards. The scheme is open is open to new entrants and is advertised locally. Applications for funding are invited by the Education and Training Boards from local groups in their respective areas. Each year, more than 600 local youth clubs benefit from the scheme. In 2016, €1.065 million was allocated to this scheme. In 2017, I have provided an additional 10% in funding to the scheme, bringing the total allocation to €1.1715.

After a period of consultation with key stakeholders it was agreed that in line with the National Youth Strategy 2015–2020 it would be a condition of the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme that at least 75% of the club/group membership should be between the ages of 10 and 21.

This grant scheme was designed to provide volunteer-led youth activities for young people aged between 10 and 21. The clarification will ensure that the Scheme will have the maximum impact on the targeted cohort of young people while having the benefit of a built-in flexibility of 25% for those not in that age bracket.

Ombudsman for Children Expenditure

Ceisteanna (534)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

534. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated full year cost of running the Ombudsman for Children's office. [30076/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The estimated full year cost of running the Ombudsman for Children's for 2017 is €2.36 million, which covers both pay and non-pay elements.

National Youth Work Advisory Committee

Ceisteanna (535)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

535. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30077/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Sections 17 and 18 of the Youth Work Act 2001 provide for the appointment of a National Youth Work Advisory Committee. The Committee had an advisory and consultative role to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in matters to do with youth work, including the coordination of youth work programmes and services. In line with these provisions, a new National Youth Work Advisory Committee was appointed by the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with a term of office of one year with effect from 28 January 2013. The Committee continued to work with my Department and assisted with the development of the new National Youth Strategy, in particular in identifying in what ways the youth work sector can contribute to shared policy objectives for young people.

The National Youth Strategy 2015-2020 was published in, 2015. The implementation structures established by my Department under Better Outcomes Brighter Futures (BOBF), the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People will oversee the roll out of the National Youth Strategy. There is no doubt that the youth work services have a significant contribution to make to realise the goals of the National Youth Strategy as part of a cross sectoral, whole of society approach to supporting young people in their everyday lives. For this reason, the key youth sector interests are represented on the structures established by my Department to support the implementation of Better Outcomes Brighter Futures. At national level, representatives of the voluntary youth services have been appointed to the Advisory Council of BOBF. At local level, youth sector representatives participate in the Children and Young People’s Services Committees. Key Government departments and agencies that have an interest in children and young people and that had served on the National Youth Work Advisory Committee are represented on the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium and on the Sponsors Group that have been established under Better Outcomes Brighter Futures to drive the effective implementation of the policy framework.

There have been other significant policy and legislative developments that are relevant to the provision of youth services and the role of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee since the 2001 Act was passed. These include the introduction of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 which, inter alia, provides for a statutory function for Education and Training Boards in supporting the provision and assessment of youth work services at local level. The National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making 2015-2020, which was published by my Department in June, 2015 is particularly relevant. I am deeply committed to ensuring that young people are involved in the preparation, planning and implementation of policies that impact on their lives.

In addition, my Department is fully committed to the reform of the many youth funding schemes. The Deputy will be aware that a number of targeted funding schemes supporting youth services were the subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review in 2014. The review made a number of recommendations for the future operation of the youth schemes and their development in the years ahead. Work on the development of a new funding scheme has been prioritised by my Department and consultations with youth services are continuing with a view to introducing the new youth funding programme in line with the review. The Deputy will also be aware that my Department has commenced a review of the Youth Service Grant Scheme. This review is intended to enhance its accountability, transparency and outcome measurement. It is also seeking to determine how best to meet the ever evolving needs of young people.

My Department works closely with the youth work sector, the voluntary youth services, the Education and Training Boards, other government departments and agencies and consults with young people themselves in the development and delivery of policies and services for children and young people.

For the above reasons, it is not my intention to reconvene the National Youth Work Advisory Committee while the reform process is ongoing. Given the seismic changes which have occurred over the past sixteen years, my Department may wish to revisit the Youth Work Act, 2001 on the conclusion of the reform process, to ensure that it fully articulates the needs of young people in Ireland.

Child and Family Agency Services

Ceisteanna (536)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

536. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average number of young persons assigned to each aftercare worker employed directly by TUSLA; the average number assigned to aftercare workers employed by external agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30079/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Ceisteanna (537)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

537. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to her appointment of a person (details supplied) to investigate the mother and baby home site at Tuam; the role that the Garda Síochána has as part of this investigation; if criminal investigations are ongoing or to be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30084/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I appointed a team of international experts to produce an advisory Report for Government to help inform the decisions which need to be taken in relation to the burial site associated with the former home in Tuam. I want to ensure we that can respond to the issues of concern on the basis of best international practice. In appointing a team led by Consultant Forensic Archaeologist Niamh McCullagh, we will have advice from internationally recognised experts across a range of relevant specialties. This Report will help us have a informed consultation on the future of the site.

The Terms of Reference of the expert group's work are available on my Departments website at www.dcya.gov.ie. Their Report is due to be submitted to me by the end of September 2017.

As the Deputy will be aware, issues relating to the role of the An Gardai Síochána are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Child Care Services

Ceisteanna (538)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

538. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1945 of 20 June 2017, and the announcement made in October 2016 (details supplied), the reason the full affordable child care scheme will not be fully implemented from September 2017; the timeframe for the universal scheme to be introduced; if back payments will be made to those that have prepared and budgeted for the scheme; if not, the way in which the €19 million set aside for the scheme will be spent; if registered childminders can avail of the scheme while the registration of the balance of childminders is being organised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30187/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) will be introduced at the earliest possible date. As I have stated previously, this is an extremely complex and ambitious project because of all that is involved – legislation, new business processes, data protection and building a new IT system. We will need to integrate data from the Department of Social Protection and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners so that the system can calculate every family’s net income and ACS subsidy. We are all keen to see the new system introduced as soon as possible, but the sheer complexity of the project means that it will take some time. I do not want to introduce the new scheme before all elements – legislation, IT and business systems – are fully in place and fully tested.

However, I do not want to delay the benefit of higher childcare subsidies for families. For that reason, major improvements in childcare subsidies will come into effect this September, within the framework of the existing childcare schemes, pending the introduction of the ACS. The improvements this September will include increases of up to 50% in targeted childcare subsidy rates. In addition, the new universal childcare subsidy for children aged between 6 months and 36 months will be available from September, in line with the announcement I made following the Government’s Budget decision in October 2016. The €19 million additional funding provided in Budget 2017 is being directed towards these changes that are being introduced in September, and which will mean significant reductions in childcare bills for tens of thousands of families.

I am satisfied that the new measures commencing this September will honour the Government’s commitment to delivering more affordable childcare to families. Back-payments will not be made. The level of universal subsidy available this September is the same as that proposed for the ACS subsidy, i.e. a maximum subsidy of €20 per week for full-time childcare, with the subsidy for part-time childcare reduced pro rata. The levels of targeted subsidy available this September, while not identical to the subsidy-rates that are proposed for the ACS, will be broadly similar to those rates, with some families receiving slightly more and some slightly less than they will receive when the ACS is introduced. These differences are inevitable given the structure of the existing childcare schemes, which involve only a limited number of subsidy-bands, whereas the ACS will allow a smooth taper to be applied to subsidy-rates. A further difference in the schemes lies in the basis of eligibility. Whereas the subsidy-rate awarded under the ACS will be based directly on a family’s income-level, the subsidy under the existing schemes is based on family income indirectly, e.g. via eligibility for a Medical Card or GP Visit Card.

Local Authority Housing

Ceisteanna (539)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

539. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration can be given to a proposal (details supplied) that could alleviate pressure on local council housing supply especially in the case of emergency accommodation requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30119/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Government’s strategy in relation to housing and homelessness, Rebuilding Ireland, is led by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Mr Eoghan Murphy T.D and any changes to that strategy would be a matter for him in the first instance.

There is no plan for my Department to introduce a payment for parents supporting their adult children and grandchildren in their own homes. The Department of Social Protection makes a number of working age payments to families with children. Adult children living with their parents or grandparents may also be recipients of social protection payments subject to the conditions of the scheme.

Any new scheme could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (540)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

540. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29456/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

The Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is continued entitlement.

Following a review, it was determined that the evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 21 February 2017 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review. No request for a review was received following this letter. The person concerned was notified on 28 March 2017 that her payment of Carer’s Allowance would cease on 26 April 2017, the reasons why and of her right of appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of the decision and submitted additional medical evidence in support of her application. Following this review the decision remained unchanged and the person concerned was notified on 22 June 2017 of the outcome, the reason for it and of her right of appeal. No appeal has been lodged in this case to date.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (541)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

541. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rate of carer's allowance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29459/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to a person who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.

CA is in payment to the person concerned since 3 April 2014. She is currently in receipt of a weekly rate of €29.00 plus an increase for qualified child allowance of €59.60 in respect of her 4 children. This was based on her means as assessed when she applied for a Carer’s Allowance.

To date no request for a review has been submitted by the person concerned. If the person concerned wishes to have her application reviewed she should request this in writing, including details of all income, savings and investments in support of her case. A deciding officer will then review her case.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (542)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

542. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29523/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 27 June 2017. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.