Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the condition that a person who is signing for credits but receiving no social welfare payments, is excluded from receiving respite care grant even if they are providing full-time care and need to keep their insurance record intact as in a case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [7196/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Credited contributions, or credits as they are termed, are social insurance contributions which are awarded to an insured person without a Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) payment being received from that person. Credits are awarded in circumstances such as unemployment or illness, and their purpose is to help protect the social insurance entitlement of insured persons during periods when they may not be in a position to pay contributions.

The respite care grant is an annual payment for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. Since 2005 the payment is made to carers regardless of means or social insurance contributions but it is subject to certain conditions.

The grant is automatically paid to people in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit in June each year. In addition, the grant may be paid to people in receipt of other social welfare payments such as state pension (contributory). The grant is not payable to people in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or benefit or to people who are signing for jobseeker's credits. Persons in receipt of these payments or signing for such credits must be available for full time employment, capable of work and must also be genuinely seeking work and therefore cannot satisfy the full time care and attention requirement of the respite care grant.

The person to whom the Deputy refers was in receipt of jobseeker's credits at the time of making her application for the respite care grant in respect of 2007 and that is why her application was refused. I understand that the person concerned is still signing for jobseeker's credits but that she has recently applied for carer's allowance and a decision on that claim is pending.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in the case of where swipe cards are being issued to recipients of social welfare payments they have the option of appointing an agent and reverting to the book system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7319/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department is implementing a three year strategy to change paper based payment instruments to electronic payments at post offices and financial institutions. The programme is being implemented on a phased basis to coincide with book renewal production schedules and as personalised payable order books expire.

Concerns have been raised about the position of customers who use "agents" to collect their payments. The Department is aware of these concerns and have put in place arrangements to continue using book payments in these cases.

Arrangements will be made within the Department to enable these customers already using a Social Services Card to have a nominated person collect the payment on their behalf.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason rent support or child benefit has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7353/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive has advised that no application for rent supplement has been received from the person concerned. If the person wishes to make an application, she should contact her local community welfare officer.

A Child Benefit application from the person concerned was received in March 2006. The habitual residency condition was not met as the applicant was in the asylum process. As a result her application for Child Benefit was refused. The applicant was informed of this decision and given the right of appeal in April 2006. If the person concerned wishes to re-apply for Child Benefit, the application will be determined in light of her current circumstances.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason rent support is being refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7370/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive has advised that it contacted the person concerned requesting clarification of his financial circumstances. The person concerned should contact his local community welfare office with the financial details requested. Any ongoing entitlement he may have to rent supplement can then be determined.