Pat Deering
Question:58. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application under the rent allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [7565/16]
View answerRent Supplement Scheme Applications
Questions (58)
Written answers
The client concerned was requested to provide outstanding documentation on 11/4/16. This documentation has not, to date, been received by the Department. On receipt of same, the client's Rent Supplement application can be assessed.
Disability Allowance Applications
Questions (59)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:59. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application under the disability allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; when a decision will issue. [7568/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned was in receipt of disability allowance (DA) up to 20 August 2013, which was stopped as he no longer fulfilled the qualifying conditions, including residency conditions. In July 2015, medical evidence was submitted to the department by the person concerned. This was returned to the person in question on 23 July 2015, along with a DA1 application form, as it could not be dealt with in the absence of a DA application. He was advised to have the DA1 form completed and returned in order to determine his eligibility. To date, no application by the person concerned for DA has been lodged.
Post Office Network
Questions (60, 61, 66, 92)
Imelda Munster
Question:60. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to consider reversing the policy of systemically transferring post office business to private banks as social protection transactions account for 30% of all post office business and an estimated 50% including spin off transactions; if this is an attempt to initiate a privatisation process of our post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7569/16]
View answerImelda Munster
Question:61. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of letters being sent out to casual and part-time welfare claimants encouraging them to provide bank details for their payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7570/16]
View answer
John Halligan
Question:66. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) which was recently issued to casual workers encouraging jobseekers to use financial institutions rather than the post offices; if it is best practice to actively encourage recipients to use alternative financial institutions, given that the Government has backed processes to secure and develop the post office network; if the Government should be actively supporting the post office network given that it is the full owner of it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7618/16]
View answer
Michael Moynihan
Question:92. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why she is sending letters to jobseekers who work casual and part-time indicating that their payments can only be received at financial institutions; why she does not give such persons the choice of collecting payments at post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7784/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 61, 66 and 92 together.
The Government is committed to the maintenance of the Post Office network and to the development of a Standard Bank Account by An Post. Mindful of the current and ongoing discussions on Government formation any further development of policy will be a matter for the incoming Government.
The current position is that the department has a cohort of jobseeker customers who are classified as casual jobseekers. These are in-work customers who can claim a jobseekers payment for 2 to 3 days per week or who work week on/week-off. These customers are paid by cheque each week. Not all customers will be paid every week due to their changeable work patterns.
I want to emphasise that these customers have been paid by cheque due to the changing nature of their work/claiming patterns and the short turn-around time to issue payments. It is important to note that they are not paid via post offices under the department’s existing cash payments contract with An Post.
In line with the National Payments Plan, my department is seeking to reduce its usage of cheques as a payment method; this is not only a matter of decreasing the significant costs associated with cheques in the department and wider economy but also of moving to a more secure method of payment and enhancing customer convenience.
When paid by cheque, customers have the option of lodging them direct to their accounts or negotiating them at banks or the Post Office. The evidence available to the department is that the vast majority of the department’s customers paid by cheque choose to lodge them direct to their accounts.
The department has developed its payment capacity in respect of changing work and claiming patterns and is able to offer payments direct to accounts in financial institutions for casual Jobseeker customers thereby increasing customer convenience. This is in line with wider departmental policy where the focus is on ensuring that in-work customers are paid by the most convenient method possible.
Consequently the department has written to its casual Jobseeker customers asking them to provide their account details to enable direct payments to financial institutions.
I want to emphasise that the department does not issue these cheque payments to Post Offices, they are issued directly to the department’s customers. This process does not reduce the number of existing cash payments through Post Offices under the current contract between the department and An Post.
I want to reiterate that what the department is doing is moving customers from cheque payments to the much more secure, customer convenient and cost effective payment method of payment directly into accounts in financial institutions. This is entirely consistent with the National Payments Plan and in line with payment methods that now prevail across the economy. The department must consider the most efficient payment method for our customers who are in employment most of whom get their salary payment into bank accounts. To have weekly income (work + welfare) payable in two different ways is a highly inappropriate and costly way of dealing with people in employment. The department’s focus must be on our customers.
Customer choice will be maintained. Customers, if they wish, may continue to receive cheque payments in the medium term.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (62)
Robert Troy
Question:62. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied). [7605/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 10 August 2015. 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 continuous 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 30 November 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. Further information in relation to the person’s application which is required to complete the review has been requested on 15 April 2016 by a deciding officer. Once the information is received the review will be completed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (63)
Robert Troy
Question:63. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied). [7606/16]
View answerWritten answers
There is no application in respect of the person mentioned for carer’s allowance (CA) that is pending decision.
The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 21 May 2015 and the first payment issued to the person’s bank nominated bank account on 28 May 2015.
Arrears of allowance due from 15 January 2015 were also issued to the bank. The person concerned was notified of these details on 21 May 2015.
This allowance is payable at the maximum personal rate for a person caring for one care recipient. If these circumstances are not correct and up-to-date, the person concerned should contact the department as soon as possible to inform them of any change(s).
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (64)
Michael Ring
Question:64. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7609/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 20 August 2015.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 11 January 2016 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
The delay in this case is regretted. Once the SWI has reported, a deciding officer will make a decision as quickly as possible. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Disability Allowance Applications
Questions (65)
Willie Penrose
Question:65. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7613/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 19 November 2015. The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 60.
Employment Support Services
Questions (67)
John Halligan
Question:67. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the details of her contract with Turas Nua; the process by which persons are selected from the live register; if persons who have been engaging with the Tús and Gateway programmes can be selected; the fee she pays to Turas Nua for each person returned to the workforce; if there are stipulations as to how permanent the positions need to be; the number of persons who have been returned to the workforce since the inception of this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7619/16]
View answerWritten answers
JobPath is not a programme but a new approach to resourcing and delivering employment activation services to people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed. In this regard it complements the service provided by the Department’s own staff in Intreo Centres and by the Local Employment Service providers.
Turas Nua Limited is one of two companies with which the Department has entered into contracts for the delivery of JobPath services. The other company is Seetec Limited.
Under the contract the companies act as agents of the Department and must accept, work with and deliver a service to all and any clients that are referred by the Department. The companies must deliver a guaranteed baseline level of service to all clients. Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help them address barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. Each person is assigned to a personal advisor who assesses a person’s skills, experience, challenges and work goals. A “personal progression plan” is drawn up that includes a schedule of activities, actions and job focused targets. Participants are also provided with a range of training and development supports including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills. Clients receive this service over the duration of a year or until they find employment and if they are placed into a job they continue to receive support for at least three months, and up to twelve months, while in employment.
JobPath providers are paid fees if and when they place clients into sustained employment. In this regard employment is defined as work of at least thirty (30) hours per week lasting for at least thirteen (13) weeks. Contractors are paid a fee, in arrears, for each thirteen week period of employment up to a maximum of four payments or one year’s work. This payment approach incentivises the contractors not just to find work for people but to strive to ensure that the work is full-time and sustained.
For the purposes of JobPath all long term unemployed jobseekers on the Live Register are categorised into groups based on their duration of unemployment (e.g. 1- 2 years, 2 - 3 years etc.). Selection for referral to receive employment activation services from a JobPath provider is by means of stratified random sampling using these groupings; the objective being to ensure equity in selection and also that people referred to JobPath are a representative of the long term cohort on the Live Register.
Participants on TÚS and Gateway are not eligible to receive the JobPath service while they are on such programmes. However, once they have competed their time on TÚS or Gateway they may then be selected for JobPath.
It is not intended to publish the individual fees that are payable to the JobPath companies as these are commercially sensitive and to do so would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts now in place and any future procurement that may be undertaken.
The roll-out of JobPath is not yet completed. It is expected to be finalised towards mid-year. Given that clients will spend 52 weeks on JobPath it is necessary to allow sufficient time to elapse before a meaningful assessment can be carried out. At the present time it is too early to undertake an evaluation of job placement performance. As indicated in “Pathways to Work 2016 – 2020” the Department intends to publish JobPath performance statistics from Q3 2016.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (68)
Robert Troy
Question:68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7626/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Department has no record of an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned. I can confirm that the department received an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 1 February 2016.
On 18 April 2016 the person concerned was requested to complete parts of the application form which were left blank and to supply supporting documentation as requested on the application form and as required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (69)
Robert Troy
Question:69. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7627/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 15 February 2016. Unfortunately, the average time taken at present to decide a new application is running at 19 weeks. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet his needs he should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from his local community welfare service.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (70)
Robert Troy
Question:70. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7628/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 December 2015. 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 continuous 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 3 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal within 21 days.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (71)
Robert Troy
Question:71. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [7629/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 16 October 2015. 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 continuous 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 9 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal within 21 days.
It is open to the person in question to make a new application for carer’s allowance if she wishes.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (72)
Robert Troy
Question:72. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7630/16]
View answerWritten answers
The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 1 February 2016 and the first payment issued to the person’s bank nominated bank account on 4 February 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 3 September 2015 were also issued to the bank. The person concerned was notified of these details on 1 February 2016.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (73)
Robert Troy
Question:73. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7631/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 18 February 2016. Unfortunately, the average time taken at present to decide a new application is running at 19 weeks. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (74)
Robert Troy
Question:74. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7632/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 4 November 2015. 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 continuous 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 10 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (75)
Robert Troy
Question:75. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application under the carer's allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [7633/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 1 December 2015. Unfortunately, the average time taken at present to decide a new application is running at 19 weeks. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly invalidity pension, including an increase for a qualified adult and a disablement pension.