Written Answers Nos. 217-221
217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the determination of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for Disability Allowance (DA) from this lady on the 28 July 2017. The DA application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and this lady was notified in writing of this decision on 23 November 2017. She was also notified on that date of her right to seek a review of this decision or appeal directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a free fuel allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51408/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFree fuel allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs.
A person may qualify for this allowance if they are getting disability allowance and they live alone or only with other people getting one of the qualifying payments who would also be eligible for a fuel allowance in their own right.
I can confirm that this gentleman has been awarded free fuel allowance from 02 July 2014. He received his first payment 08 October 2014.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) are being paid as two single persons and not as a married couple; if she will review their payments to ensure the correct and highest level to which they are entitled is being paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm this lady and gentleman are both in receipt of a reduced rate of disability allowance due to income from a private pension. The means assessment applied by the deciding officer is set down in legislation and therefore the deciding officer cannot deviate from the process.
I can confirm that this lady and gentleman are financially better off receiving individual payments with the means halved which they are currently in receipt of.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
220. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations for Dáil Éireann constituencies in the constituency commission report 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2017 was published, and initiated in Dáil Éireann, on 22 November 2017. The Bill, and its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum, is available on the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
221. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a decision has been reached in relation to the implementation of measures to ensure equitable treatment of persons and group water schemes and persons on public water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51302/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn its report published in April 2017, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services recommended that the principles of equity of treatment and equivalent financial support be applied equally between households using public water services and those availing of private water services. It recommended that my Department conduct a review, in coordination with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and other relevant stakeholders, to quantify what additional investment is required to equalise treatment between households. It recommended that following such a review, identified investment be provided.
As an initial step in reviewing the supports available to the rural water community my Department is currently in discussions with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, the representative body for the group water sector, on the future subsidy levels for group water schemes. I expect this review to be concluded shortly in order to allow for any subsidy changes to be introduced from 1 January 2018.
Separate to the initial review of group water scheme subsidy levels, I intend to establish a working group to conduct a wider review of investment needs and rural water services, focusing on issues such as governance, supervision and monitoring of the sector, and capital investment requirements. I would expect that this Group will engage widely with relevant stakeholders and will aim to complete its work by mid-2018.
