Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if qualifying persons using home heating oil obtain the same supports as those based on units of electricity and gas. [43149/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Approximately 340,000 pensioner and other households qualify for the electricity or gas allowances through the household benefits package. In recognition of the recent increases in the price of natural gas and electricity, I have recently announced significant increases to the gas and electricity allowances.

In order to cover the 33.8% increase in the cost of natural gas, from October 1st, I increased the value of the natural gas allowance to cover increased standing charges and the associated VAT as well as additional kilowatt hours usage. This means that the value of the natural gas allowance to a household has increased from €313.17 to €516 per year.

At present, the electricity allowance covers normal standing charges and up to 1,800 units of electricity. The allowance also covers the VAT applicable to these charges. In the light of the recent increase in electricity charges, the allowance will be increased to cover increased standing charges and the units will also increase from 1,800 to 2,400 with effect from January 2007. I am confident that these increases will be of major benefit to these recipients.

In addition to the electricity and gas allowance my Department also pays a fuel allowance for 29 weeks from end-September to mid-April to assist householders on long-term social welfare or Health Service Executive payments with meeting the cost of their additional heating needs during the winter season. In Budget 2006, I provided for an increase in the rate of fuel allowance of €5, from €9 per week to €14 per week and to €17.90 in designated smokeless areas. In Budget 2007 I have provided for a further increase of €4 per week to €18. This means that the level of the fuel allowance will have doubled in the last two years and can be used for any form of heating fuel. I have also increased the income threshold for eligibility for fuel allowance from €51 to €100 per week over and above the contributory pension to enable more people to qualify for the payment. In Budget 2007 my colleague the Minister for Finance also followed through on his commitment to reduce the excise duty on Kerosene and LPG for heating purposes to zero from next month.

This position with regard to energy and heating charges generally is kept under review.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in awarding child benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [43168/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person in question is a Latvian national who is working in Ireland. His family is residing in Latvia.

Under EU regulation 1408/71, an employed person who is working in a Member State is entitled to family benefits provided by that State even though the worker's family may be residing in another member state.

Claims processed under EU regulations generally take a longer time to finalise due to the need to communicate with the parent or carer of the child(ren) in the other member state, and also the need to communicate separately with the authorities in the other member state. It is necessary to obtain relevant birth certificates along with confirmation of the worker's employment in this country.

In the case of persons from non-English speaking countries further delays and complexities can arise due to the language barriers involved.

The volume of claims to be processed under EU regulations has increased significantly over the last two years — in 2005 the weekly average intake of such claims was 30 whereas in 2006 the average intake was 300. These volumes have also put pressure on resources in the claim processing area.

My Department is currently examining measures to streamline and speed up the processing of claims under EU regulations, including overtime working and increasing the numbers of staff involved in dealing with such applications.

My Department has also engaged, on a trial basis, a small number of clerical staff who are fluent in EU languages other than English. This trial has proven successful to date and the outcome is being reviewed to see how such staff could best be deployed.

The claim in respect of the person concerned will be dealt with as soon as possible and he will be informed of the outcome, including details of any arrears due.