Written Answers Nos. 248-267
248. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the value of duration of the fuel allowance will be increased in view of the recent cold weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10535/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 27 weeks from October to April, to over 338,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
In October 2017, I introduced the option for qualified households to receive their fuel allowance payment in two lump sums - in October and in January. This allows people to buy fuel in bulk and potentially avail of special offers or discounts on the purchase of the particular fuel that meets their specific needs.
In Budget 2018, I increased the duration of the fuel allowance season by one week to 27 weeks. This is clearly longer than the winter period in Ireland, and provides assistance during what are largely colder weeks, when heating costs are expected to be at their highest. The current fuel allowance season will, therefore run to the first week in April.
Given the severity of the weather in recent days, last week I announced that all people in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive an extra payment of €22.50 in respect of this week.
This is to ensure our customers can be safe and warm at this time. The additional payment will be paid automatically during the week commencing 12th March and will bring Fuel Allowance payment to €45 that week. The extra payment of €22.50 will also be paid to those who have received the Fuel Allowance in lump sum payments.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources and this may include exceptional heating costs.
The best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. My Department works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to help identify people in energy poverty who are living with chronic respiratory conditions so they can avail of the Warmth and Well-being Scheme which aims to make homes warmer and healthier to live in.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
249. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10536/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 25 October 2017. Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 26 February 2018.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10537/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 19 February 2018. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10538/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 28 August 2017.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
As the applicant is engaged in farming the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 14 December 2017 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 decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
252. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10539/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 25 September 2017. CA is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
As the applicant is a self-employed, the matter was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 18 January 2018 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 decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10540/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on the 8 November 2017.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 27 February 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10541/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on the 22 November 2017.
Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 27 February 2018. Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10542/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer’s allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 14 November 2017.
CA was awarded to the person concerned on 14 February 2018, with effect from 16 November 2017, and the first payment will issue to the person’s nominated post office on 8 March 2018.
Arrears of allowance due from 16 November 2017 to 7 March 2018 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified of these details on 14 February 2018.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if all periods of employment have been taken into consideration in the calculation of a State pension in the case of a person (details supplied); if the full rate is being paid in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10714/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a social insurance record of 1,821 reckonable contributions and credits. This entitles them to a reduced rate of state pension (contributory), based on an assessed yearly average of 37 contributions, covering the period from July 1967 to end-December 2015.
The person does not have recorded contributions for the tax year 1976, for the tax years 1980/81 to 1982/83 inclusive, for the tax year 2006, and for the tax years 2008 to 2015 inclusive. This affects their overall yearly average and, consequently, their rate of pension entitlement.
The person was notified in writing of their pension entitlement on 27 January 2016. Attached to the decision letter was a copy of their social insurance record upon which their pension was calculated. If the person considers that they have additional unrecorded contributions or credits, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
The person’s entitlement to state pension (non-contributory) was also examined. As their entitlement to this pension is at a higher rate, they are currently financially better off to remain on the state pension (non-contributory).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when jobseeker’s allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10720/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 25th of January 2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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.
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason carer’s allowance has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied); if eligibility will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10721/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
The person concerned applied for CA on 28 April, 2016. This application was disallowed as it was decided that full-time care and attention was not being provided by the person concerned or required by the person receiving care.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The outcome of this was that the appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified of this on 4 April 2017.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.
My department informs me that, to date, no new application for CA has been received from the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
259. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the assessment procedure that applies in respect of a qualified adult dependant whose partner is in receipt of a full rate of a State (contributory) pension; the particular assessment that applies to capital including land and or income that the dependent spouse may have; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10744/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEntitlement to an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) on a person’s state pension (contributory) is subject to a means test, which assesses weekly income from any source. The increase is only payable where the spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by the claimant. The increase is payable at the maximum rate where the qualified adult’s means are assessed at €100 per week or less. Where the weekly means assessed exceed €100, but do not exceed €310, a tapered, reducing IQA scale applies. No IQA is payable where the weekly means is in excess of €310.
The weekly income received by the qualified adult is assessable in full, such as income from employment, self-employment, and income from any other source, including rental income and private or occupational pensions.
Capital held by the qualified adult such as property, savings and investments is also assessed. The method of calculating the weekly income from capital is as follows:
|
Amount |
- |
|
First €20,000 |
Nil |
|
Next €10,000 |
€1 per €1,000 |
|
Next €10,000 |
€2 per €1,000 |
|
Excess of €40,000 |
€4 per €1,000 |
It should be noted that the amount of any mortgage or loan outstanding is allowed as a deduction in estimating the net value of the property. Where capital or assets are held jointly by a couple, half the value is taken into account for assessment purposes. Further details about the IQA means assessment are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
260. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of each instance of advertorial content commissioned by her Department and agencies under its remit in the past 12 months; the date this content was published; the purpose of this content; the cost of its publication; the publication or platform on which it was published, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10772/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSet out in the following table are details of each instance of advertorial content commissioned by the Department and also organisations under the remit of the Department, in the past twelve months, including Citizens Information Board, Pensions Authority, Pensions Council, Social Welfare Tribunal and the Low Pay Commission. In summary, there have been two instances of paid advertorial /native content for the Department. In both instances the article appeared online, and clearly stated at the beginning of the article that it was sponsored content. Both also clearly and prominently displayed the Department’s logo.
See further details in the table below:
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
|
Content Publication Date |
Purpose |
Cost (inc VAT) |
Online Publication |
|
13/04/2017 |
Treatment Benefits for the self-employed Campaign |
€6,150 |
Journal.ie |
|
14/08/2017 |
Paternity Benefit Awareness Campaign |
€5,237.96 |
Joe.ie |
Organisations under the remit of the Department
Citizens Information Board
|
Content Publication Date |
Purpose |
Cost (inc VAT) |
Online Publication |
|
27/01.17 |
To promote the range of information services available and support the public can get from the Citizens Information Service |
€6,150 |
Journal.ie |
|
27.02.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and help them deal with their mortgage arrears |
€6,150 |
Journal.ie |
|
22.08.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and how abhaile can help if they are taken to court by their lender |
€6,150 |
Journal.ie |
|
11.09.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and answer 6 pressing mortgage arrears questions |
€6,150 |
Journal.ie |
|
13.11.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and help them deal with their mortgage arrears |
€6,150 |
MummyPages.ie |
|
16.11.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and help them deal with their mortgage arrears |
€4,305 |
Joe.ie |
|
20.11.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and how Abhaile can help if they are taken to court by their lender |
€6,150 |
MummyPages.ie |
|
21.11.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and help them deal with their mortgage arrears |
€6,150 |
Boards.ie |
|
27.11.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and particularly how a PIP can help separated couples due to recent court rulings |
€6,150 |
MummyPages.ie |
|
27.11.17 |
To educate those in mortgage arrears as to the services of Abhaile and how abhaile can help if they are taken to court by their lender |
€4,305 |
Joe.ie |
|
15.12.17 |
Tips from a MABS advisor on coping with the pressures of Christmas and how to avoid overspending and managing your money |
€6,150 |
Journal.ie |
Pensions Authority - Nil
Pensions Council - Nil
Social Welfare Tribunal- Nil
Low Pay Commission -Nil
261. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the reduction in the number of schemes (details supplied) in County Cavan; if these cuts will be reversed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10781/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTús is one of a range of supports provided by my Department to cater for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. It provides part-time temporary work in local communities, as a stepping-stone back to employment. However, it is important to note that these placements are not full-time sustainable jobs and are designed to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities of returning to the labour market or getting a job for the first time. The scheme commenced operation in 2011 as a response to the high level of unemployment and the large numbers on the Live Register at that time. There are 47 Local Development Companies (LDCs), as well as Údarás na Gaeltachta, involved in the delivery of the Tús programme - known as Implementing bodies (IBs).
The Deputy will appreciate that the reduction in the unemployment rate is a factor in recruitment to all programmes. Long-term unemployment is expected to fall further this year in line with the continuing forecasted fall in overall unemployment.
The Deputy will appreciate that given the welcome improvements in the labour market in recent years with reducing numbers of long-term unemployed on the Live Register, which is the target cohort for Tús, it is proving difficult to fill the number of places available nationwide. However, changes were introduced recently to the selection criteria for Tús which should broaden the availability of Tús to a greater number of people on the live register. This includes an increase in the percentage of assisted referrals from 20% to 30%, as well as permitting someone who has had a break of up to 30 days on the Live Register in the past 12 months to be considered eligible for Tús selection.
In the five years since the end of December 2012, there has been a 48% fall in the numbers on the Live Register who are more than 1 year unemployed. In this context the Department is currently engaging with the Irish Local Development Network – the representative body for the IBs.
The Department keeps all aspects of its activation programmes under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants and communities.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
262. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons who work at his Department’s offices in Wexford town, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10523/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the end of January 2018 there were 109 staff members employed in my Department’s Newtown Road premises in Wexford. My Department is one of six public bodies currently occupying this building.
263. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding for housing adaptation works to local authority dwellings to enable councils commence urgent work will be allocated. [10706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPG) scheme to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants. The scheme applies to adaptations that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability who may require stair-lifts, grab-rails, showers, wet-rooms, ramps, etc. It also provides funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom or in the case of overcrowding.
My Department will shortly be issuing a call to all local authorities requesting their funding requirements in respect of the DPG scheme for 2018. It should be noted that works can take place throughout the year to allow for the full utilisation of the annual funding allocation to each local authority and, to facilitate this and to ensure that there is no delay in respect of priority works under the programme, local authorities are allowed to undertake works up to a maximum value of 65% of their previous year's allocation in advance of notification of the current year's allocation.
264. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for holding plebiscites on a directly elected mayor for Dublin and other cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10754/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt its meeting of 26 September 2017, the Government agreed, as part of an indicative schedule for a number of referendums over the next 18 months, that a plebiscite on directly elected mayors would take place in October 2018. My Department is prioritising the drafting of the legislation required to give effect to this decision and it is included in the Government's legislation programme as a Bill to be published in the first half of this year.
265. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of each instance of advertorial content commissioned by his Department and agencies under its remit in the past 12 months; the date this content was published; the purpose of this content; the cost of its publication; the publication or platform on which it was published, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10776/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been no advertorial content commissioned by my Department in the past 12 months.
The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table.
|
Name |
- |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie. |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
reps@valoff.ie |
266. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulatory position in regard to seaweed harvesting; and the role of his Department in regulating the activity in accordance with the Foreshore Act 1933. [10814/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, the removal of “beach material” is prohibited from any area within the foreshore. The Act includes a clear definition for “beach material” and it is defined as sand and gravel and other materials, which the definition indicates includes "seaweed whether growing or rooted on the seashore or deposited or washed up thereon by the actions of tides, winds, and waves or any of them”.
Individuals or companies who do not have a right to harvest and are seeking to acquire (harvest) wild algae resources must first obtain a foreshore consent (licence) under the Foreshore Act. A number of such applications were received by my Department and in the course of assessing these licence applications, it has become clear that certain rights to harvest wild seaweed exist.
In this regard, my Department has engaged with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) to attempt to establish the extent of these existing appurtenant rights specified in Land Registry folios to harvest wild seaweed. On foot of this engagement, the PRA has provided my Department with data detailing the extent of the rights in seven of the western seaboard counties, namely Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Donegal.
My Department has also met with the Attorney General's Office on several occasions to examine the implications of the interaction between the existing seaweed harvesting rights and the applications for licences by companies. My Department is continuing to work on this complex legal issue and hopes to have made substantial progress in this regard in the second quarter of this year.
267. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to enhance visitor services at the site of the Battle of Vinegar Hill (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10528/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ruined windmill at Vinegar Hill is in my guardianship as Minister and is managed by the Office of Public Works.
The Battle of Vinegar Hill itself was a very important event in Irish history and my Department recently authorised extensive archaeological investigations on the site to provide a better understanding of how the battle was conducted. The information gleaned from this this research will, in turn, add to and enhance the visitor understanding of the site and their experience.
I appreciate the ongoing involvement and investment by Wexford County Council in promoting the site and the facilities that have been put in place for visitors. My Department will continue to work with the Council and other stakeholders, including the tourism agencies, to increase public awareness and interest in the site.
The Office of Public Works, which is responsible for visitor services at State owned archaeological and historical sites, also offers practical assistance to voluntary groups engaged in heritage tourism initiatives through training and mentoring by its experienced professional guide staff.
