Written Answers Nos. 524-546
524. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of cases allocated to a social worker in each Tusla local office area; the number awaiting allocation, by priority level, average length of time waiting in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11605/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation about unallocated cases is published monthly on the Tusla website. The most up to date data available is for December 2017. I can inform the Deputy that there were 24,891 open cases nationally at the end of December. Of these, 4,892 were awaiting allocation of a social worker. This information is provided in the following table.
Tusla does not publish data on average time waiting by area. At the end of December 2017, 196 High Priority cases were waiting under 1 month, 189 were waiting 1-3 months, 346 were waiting for 3 months or more, and the waiting time was unknown for 87.
Addressing the number of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. I secured funds in Budget 2018 which will allow Tusla to carry out the third year of a 3 year plan to provide for the allocation of a dedicated social worker to all children who need one. Tusla is also funded to recruit family support workers, social care staff and administrative staff to work alongside social workers in supporting vulnerable children and families.
An unallocated case relates to a case about a child that is deemed to need a social work assessment, but has not yet been allocated to a social worker. All urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team. The majority of unallocated cases are new referrals, however they may also include children living with their families who had an allocated social worker, or to a child in care, where there is now a social work vacancy.
I am informed by Tusla that a case awaiting allocation may be listed as 'active on duty'. Tusla indicates that this may include checking with professionals who see the child regularly, or visiting the child and family at home, getting additional information about the child's situation and, in some instances where a child is in care, organising a Care Plan Review and visiting the child.
I, and my officials, will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review progress in reducing the number of unallocated cases and the waiting time for the allocation of a social worker to a case assessed as requiring a social work service.
Cases awaiting allocation by area and priority level
|
Area |
High Priority |
Medium Priority |
Low Priority |
Total |
|
DSE/WW |
9 |
96 |
10 |
115 |
|
DSW/K/WW |
198 |
412 |
44 |
654 |
|
DSC |
0 |
163 |
139 |
302 |
|
Midlands |
43 |
177 |
63 |
283 |
|
DNC |
0 |
233 |
125 |
358 |
|
Dublin North |
0 |
213 |
242 |
455 |
|
LH/MH |
19 |
187 |
58 |
264 |
|
CN/MN |
16 |
136 |
60 |
212 |
|
Kerry |
66 |
20 |
7 |
93 |
|
Cork |
162 |
367 |
64 |
593 |
|
CW/LL/ST |
7 |
286 |
61 |
354 |
|
WD/WX |
68 |
124 |
26 |
218 |
|
Donegal |
81 |
297 |
98 |
476 |
|
SLWC |
6 |
40 |
10 |
56 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
GY/RN |
74 |
86 |
20 |
180 |
|
Mid-West |
69 |
88 |
122 |
279 |
|
Total |
818 |
2,925 |
1,149 |
4,892 |
525. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on her Department's work in relation to mapping of youth service provision across the State; the areas which are showing high levels of deprivation in relation to youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11640/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the future development of a single targeted youth funding programme to replace the current schemes; the status of the establishment of several sample projects in 2016 and 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11641/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
The Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of the Youth Funding programmes 2014 examined three of the targeted funding schemes, the Special Projects for Youth scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, and Local Drug Task Force projects scheme. The schemes support the provision of youth services for young people who are at risk of drugs, alcohol misuse, early school leaving, homelessness or who are living in disadvantaged communities. The review involved an in-depth scrutiny of a complex area to do with the impact youth service provision has in young people’s lives. Overall, the review found that the youth programmes can provide a significant contribution to improving outcomes for young people and should be considered for on-going public funding. The review makes a number of recommendations for the future operation of the youth schemes and their development in the years ahead to ensure an evidence-based and outcomes focussed programme designed to secure the optimal outcomes for young people.
The National Youth Strategy Lead Team has a specific sub-group to support implementation of the VFMPR recommendations. The single targeted youth funding programme is currently under development within my Department and is being informed by a number of ongoing activities. In 2017 my Department consulted with almost 600 stakeholders including young people, workers, managers/ boards of management, ETBs and other departments and agencies funding services for young people at risk. This was carried out at 16 different events across the country. My Department also held specialist consultations with 13 different target groups of difficult to reach young people. In addition, a measurement advisory group has been established and the group is undertaking a number of research activities to inform a measurement system for the single scheme. An area profiling tool is also under development.
To facilitate the review’s recommendations regarding the future development of a single targeted youth funding programme to replace the current schemes, I have approved funding allocations for the establishment of several sample projects in 2016 and 2017. These projects provide youth services in areas of need as identified by the Education and Training Boards with responsibility for those regions while also operating as pilot programmes for new scheme development. Funding was allocated for the establishment of 5 new sample projects in 2016 and 10 in 2017. Funding has also been allocated to augment 7 existing projects in 2017. The initial five 2016 projects are now operational with those approved during 2017 in various stages of formation. The sample projects are located across the country and fall within 11 ETB areas.
In implementing another of the review’s recommendations, my Department embarked on an exercise, in conjunction with Pobal and each Education and Training Board Youth Officer, to map youth service provision across the State. Data was collated in relation to project boundaries, locations of the project buildings and up-to-date contact details of youth services. Pobal, in association with Compass, compiled this data into an online map of youth services in Ireland. The map was publically released in October 2017 and is available on Pobal's website. This map was used in the 2017 sample process by my Department and the relevant Education and Training Boards as an indicator of population demographics and deprivation levels which could inform decisions in relation to funding allocations for specific areas.
527. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff assigned in her Department to the press office, public relations or communications roles in each year since 2015; the positions by staffing grade and designated role; when each new position came into existence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11697/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a designated Press Officer or stand-alone Press Office.
One of my appointed Special Advisors, Mr Jerry O'Connor, has special responsibility for communications. He is remunerated at a point on the Principal Officer scale. Mr O'Connor took up the role after my appointment in mid 2016.
Prior to that, a Special Advisor to my predecessor Dr James Reilly, Mr Mark Costigan, held a similar role.
There are currently two civil servants in my Department who typically service the day-to-day press office requirements of my Department's Communications and Corporate Governance Unit. One of these is an Executive Officer who has worked in the role since 2014.
A clerical officer was assigned to assist in the role in April 2017.
528. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a panel has been established in her Department for communications officers; if a Civil Service position of head of communications or similar role or description has been appointed in her Department; if so, when the appointment occurred; the grade at which it occurred; the reason for same; the policy basis for same; the person that approved the appointment; her plans to make such an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo panel has been established in my Department for communications officers. My Department does not have a designated civil service role of head of communications or similar. I have no plans to make such an appointment.
The day-to-day press office function in my Department has usually been serviced by an Executive Officer in recent years; in 2017, a clerical officer was assigned to assist in that role.
One of my Special Advisors has special responsibility for communications. He took up the role following my appointment in mid 2016.
Additionally, my Department's Early Years Division has assigned one person at Assistant Principal level since March 2017 to lead on communications and consultations with sectoral stakeholders.
529. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of applications made by local authorities under the art works in public space component of the town and village renewal scheme; when a decision will be returned to the local authorities that have made an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11205/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary focus for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2017 was to support projects that could demonstrate an economic benefit for small towns and villages and their hinterlands. There was a substantial level of demand for projects of this nature, whereas the request for funding for art works under the scheme was relatively small.
Given the limited resources available under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2017, all funding was allocated to projects directly supporting the regeneration of rural towns and villages. Local Authorities who made specific applications for funding of public art works have now been advised that these projects are not being funded under the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
I intend to launch a further round of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2018 and I anticipate the emphasis will again be on developing the economic potential of rural towns and villages and their hinterlands.
530. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme will include persons other than civil servants in the oversight of the dormant accounts fund by reinstating the dormant accounts board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11122/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Accounts for the Public Service 2016 indicated that a statutory review of the 2014-2016 Disbursement Scheme (required under the Dormant Accounts Act 2012) which should have been completed by the end of 2016 had not been conducted.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's report contained a single recommendation that the statutory review of the Disbursement Scheme should be carried out to identify how well the scheme was implemented and how future schemes can be designed to ensure the scheme objectives are met. The report also stated that the review should consider the reasons for the low level of disbursements, whether allocating funds to measures which do not fully use the resources prevent other programmes from being funded, and how the available funding can be best applied.
Following the transfer of the relevant functions to my Department in July 2017, my Department is now undertaking the statutory review, which will be completed by the end of June 2018. The key focus of the review is to addresses the points raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General and to ensure that the significant resources currently available from the fund are used in an efficient and effective manner. The review will also identify and consider wider and longer term issues, including how administration of the fund is best managed over the longer term. It would not be appropriate, at this stage, to speculate on the possible conclusions of the review on the question of the future administration of the fund.
531. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme will include consideration of whether the reserve applied to the fund is excessive having regard to the operation of the fund to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra532. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, after the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme, dormant accounts expenditure will continue to be subject to the same constraints within Departments as other spending programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra533. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, after the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme expenditure on new dormant accounts measures or programmes will continue to be treated as increasing Government debt levels (details supplied); if each euro spent from the fund will continue to be regarded in accounting terms as a potential Government liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11125/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra534. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, after the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme provision of reclaims from the fund will continue to be provided for by way of reserve rather than, for example, by way of an insurance premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11126/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra535. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme will consider the accounting methods that apply to the dormant accounts fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11127/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 531 to 535, inclusive, together.
The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Accounts for the Public Service 2016 indicated that a statutory review of the 2014-2016 Disbursement Scheme (required under the Dormant Accounts Act 2012), which should have been completed by the end of 2016, had not been conducted.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's report contained a single recommendation that the statutory review of the Disbursement Scheme should be carried out to identify how well the scheme was implemented and how future schemes can be designed to ensure the scheme objectives are met. The report also stated that the review should consider the reasons for the low level of disbursements, whether allocating funds to measures which do not fully use the resources prevent other programmes from being funded, and how the available funding can be best applied.
Following the transfer of the relevant functions to my Department in July 2017 my Department is now undertaking the statutory review. The key focus of the review is to addresses the points raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General and to ensure that the resources currently available from the fund are used in an efficient and effective manner.
In line with the recommendation of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the review of the Disbursement Scheme will set out to improve the administrative procedures in place to maximise the effectiveness with which funds are distributed in order to better support the people and communities at whom the funding is aimed. It will specifically address the issue of underspends and ensure improved administrative procedures are put in place to maximise the impact of available funds. The review will also identify and consider wider and longer term issues, including how to best ensure the long term sustainability of the Dormant Accounts Fund. The review will be completed by the end of June 2018.
Where issues such as the accounting methods or accounting procedures are found to negatively impact on the administration and overall effectiveness of the fund, my Department will liaise with other relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the National Treasury Management Agency, to ensure that the impact of these issues can be mitigated.
536. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provided for capital projects for scouting organisations by his Department in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11188/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not available within the timeframe to respond to this question. However, I have asked Department officials to provide me with the information requested and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
537. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that has been set aside in each of the past five years to address the issue of loneliness and social isolation in rural Ireland; if his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have funded research on the topic of loneliness and social isolation; if his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have projects planned which would address the issues of loneliness or social isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11254/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the response to the issue of rural isolation is delivered by a range of Government Departments and other organisations, as I outlined in my reply to the Deputy's Question No. 34 of 21 February 2018 (Ref. 8511/18), which set out the range of measures in the Action Plan for Rural Development which are addressing isolation and social inclusion in rural areas.
These measures include continued prioritisation of community crime prevention through schemes such as neighbourhood watch and text alert; investment in the Garda fleet to ensure that gardaí are mobile, visible and responsive in order to prevent and tackle crime; support for the 450 men’s sheds across rural Ireland; maintaining the network of senior helplines through the HSE; and continued improvements in the rural transport programme, including the provision of new routes.
Funding for these initiatives is available from a number of Government Departments and agencies and the level of funding allocated to the schemes is a matter for the Departments and agencies concerned.
From my own Department's perspective, I am responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which supports vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant for older people. In excess of €10 million has been spent on the scheme since 2013.
A new iteration of the scheme came into effect on 1 November 2017 and introduced a number of improvements, including the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the "living alone" requirements.
I allocated €2.7 million to Senior Alerts in 2017 and the scheme saw an increase of 73% in approved applications compared to 2016.
538. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of reviews of policy, schemes or legislation being carried out by his Department; the details of each review including details of the policy, scheme or legislation each review relates to; the grades of the officials in his Department or the name of the external body carrying out each review; when each review commenced; when each review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11405/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not available within the timeframe to respond to this question. However I have asked officials in my Department to provide me with the information requested and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
539. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason County Kildare has been excluded from the CLÁR programme to date; if he will review this and consider including County Kildare in the list of eligible counties for CLÁR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11521/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Almost 900 projects have been approved for funding since I re-launched the CLÁR programme in the second half of 2016.
CLÁR was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996, with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease. The average population loss in the original CLÁR regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.
In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) at Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002. Kildare was not identified as a county that had suffered an average 35% decline in its population in that period and, as a result, no areas within that county were designated as CLÁR areas. The areas included in the 2016 and 2017 CLÁR programmes were based on the work carried out by NIRSA.
I intend to launch a new call for proposals under the CLÁR programme shortly, using the same designation criteria which applied in 2016 and 2017. I also intend to carry out a full review of CLÁR areas later this year on the basis of the 2016 Census of Population data. The level of depopulation will continue to be a primary factor in the designation of any area as a CLÁR area. The review will involve a detailed examination of all areas of the country, as well as stakeholder consultation. I plan to begin the review process in the coming months with the aim of having a full and comprehensive review completed before the end of the year.
The findings of the review will inform future launches of the scheme, post-2018.
540. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next progress report will be published on the Realising our Rural Potential – Action Plan for Rural Ireland in view of the fact that these were promised on a six monthly basis and the last report was published in August 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11527/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently finalising the second six-monthly Progress Report on the implementation of the Action Plan for Rural Development. The report will be published shortly.
The Action Plan for Rural Development provides a framework for a coordinated approach across Government to improving the quality of life of people who live in rural Ireland through economic and social progress. The recently published National Development Plan underpins the Action Plan for Rural Development by providing an additional €1 billion in funding for a new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund over the next ten years.
541. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff assigned in his Department to the press office, public relations or communications roles in each year since 2015; the positions by staffing grade and designated role; when each new position came into existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 19 July 2017, to deliver on the Government’s commitment to bring a greater degree of coordination and cohesion to all of the work of Government in so far as it impacts on rural Ireland and communities.
I can confirm that, on 14 August 2017, I appointed a Press Adviser, the role includes:
- Provision and oversight of press information and liaison on my behalf (working with the Department’s Press Officer and Press Office staff),
- Liaison, on my behalf, with the Government Press Office (working with the Department’s Press Officer and Press Office staff), and with Department Officials on media aspects of policy;
- Adviser on external communications and publicity on my behalf;
- Liaison with team of Media Advisers across Government.
My Department has assigned two staff, full-time, to the Press office, a Press Officer who is an Executive Officer who manages the day-to-day press office functions, and a Clerical officer who provides administrative support.
542. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a panel has been established in his Department for communications officers; if a Civil Service position of head of communications or similar role or description has been appointed in his Department; if so, when the appointment occurred; the grade at which it occurred; the reason for same; the policy basis for same; the person that approved the appointment; his plans to make such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11725/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 19 July 2017, to deliver on the Government’s commitment to bring a greater degree of coordination and cohesion to all of the work of Government in so far as it impacts on rural Ireland and communities.
I can confirm that there is no panel in my Department for the position of Communications Officer. Furthermore, all Corporate functions, including communications and press office functions are managed by a Principal Officer, as the Head of Corporate Services. The Press Officer position, in my Department's press office, is held at Executive Officer level.
543. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the funding allocated here to a fund (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2020; and the amount spent in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018 in tabular form including the breakdown between exchequer funding and EU funding to same. [11684/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has overall policy responsibility for the European Structural and Investment Funds. In addition, DPER has administrative responsibility for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The information in relation to the ERDF which was requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
In relation to the other funds listed in the Deputy’s query, the Department of Education and Skills has administrative responsibility for the European Social Fund. The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine has administrative responsibility for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The Connecting Europe Facility is managed by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The aspects of the PQ which are relevant to each of these funds have been transferred to the relevant departments for direct reply.
In relation to the Research and Innovation Framework Programme, this is a matter for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and the Deputy’s query has been referred to them for written reply in early course.
Ireland has not been eligible for funding under the Cohesion Fund since 2003, as we are now categorised as a more developed region on the basis of our GDP.
In relation to ERDF, Ireland has been allocated €410,775,098 support for the programming period 2014-2020. Details of the indicative annual allocation are set out in the following table.
|
Allocation of ERDF by year (total Union support) |
|||||||
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
€55,040,482 |
€56,142,428 |
€57,266,276 |
€58,792,949 |
€59,969,564 |
€61,169,686 |
€62,393,713 |
€410,775,098
|
It should be noted that this amount is matched with an equal amount of Exchequer funding, bringing the total support available for the period to €821,550,196.
In relation to expenditure, each Member State is required to submit an annual report to the Commission on implementation of the programme in the previous financial year. The most recent report available is that provided to the Commission in June 2017, which relates to expenditure to end December 2016. The total amount includes the matching Exchequer funding.
|
ERDF Spend to end 2016 |
- |
|
Total |
€220,784,226
|
544. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that have been offered public services cards each year since 2011 that did not go through the SAFE 2 registration process; the way in which this offer was made; and the number of public services cards issued to persons in this category in each year since 2011. [10839/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Public Services Card cannot be issued to a person unless they first complete a SAFE registration process.
My Department operates a number of methods to SAFE register a person. The usual method involves a combination of all of the following including:
- A face-to-face meeting at an Intreo Centre or a dedicated SAFE registration centre;
- The collection and verification of the basic identity information known as the person’s Public Service Identity (PSI) data set;
- The examination/validation/verification of at least two documents supporting identity; and
- Photo-matching.
As part of the verification process, the person’s photo is run through software to check against other photos that have already been taken during other SAFE registrations. This is to detect and/or prevent duplicate registrations.
My Department can also provide a mobile registration service to cater for people who have difficulty attending an Intreo Centre or a SAFE registration centre
In some cases, where a customer authenticates their identity in another face-to-face engagement, the Department may collect elements of the PSI data by post and, with the consent of the customer, will utilise existing photographs to complete the SAFE2 process. This eliminates the need to attend at an Intreo Centre or a dedicated SAFE registration centre specifically for the purpose of registering to SAFE2.
Over 2.65 million people are SAFE-registered to date, of whom 493,466 were registered by post. A breakdown of these cases by year is as follows:
Year Total
2012 5,325
2013 87,435
2014 156,493
2015 61,156
2016 142,123
2017 24,461
2018 16,473
Total 493,466
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
545. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10842/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this gentleman on 5 December 2017.
On 27 February 2018 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility.
On receipt of this information a decision will be made on his DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
546. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting time from application to decision for fuel allowance application on average nationally; the number of applications in County Tipperary; the number in County Tipperary awaiting decision for more than one, two, three and four months respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10850/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 27 weeks from October to April, to over 365,000 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. The total number of recipients of fuel in Co Tipperary is 16,591.
Fuel allowance applications are not processed at a central location as a stand-alone scheme. Instead they are dealt with by the individual scheme areas – usually as part of a customer’s application for that scheme. Therefore, the application for Fuel Allowance is tied up with the application for the particular scheme, and it is that rather than the Fuel Allowance application that can determine time to decision. Such times can vary considerably depending on the complexity and information requirements of the particular scheme and customer circumstances. Accordingly, the information sought by the Deputy regarding specific waiting times from application to decision on fuel applications is not available.
