James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 711: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 06 December 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10 January 2011 and the appeal has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 712: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question NO. 222 of 30 November 2010, if he will explain the source of income in respect of a person (details supplied) form County Mayo in view of the fact that this person has not worked since January 2010. [1272/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The information which formed the basis of the means assessment for fuel allowance in this case was taken from the claimant's income from employment for 2009. As the Department has no evidence of cessation of the claimant's employment, and he did not indicate cessation of his employment in his claim form, income for 2010 was taken to be the same as that for 2009. If the person concerned has ceased employment, he should provide a copy of his P45 at his earliest convenience. His entitlement to fuel allowance will then be re-examined and he will be informed in writing of the outcome without delay.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 713: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place countrywide to ensure that persons are made aware of their entitlements following a family bereavement; the plans he will put in place to ensure that the deceased's family receives their full entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1298/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The primary objective of the Department's information policy is to ensure that all citizens are made aware of the wide range of schemes and services available and that they are kept informed of changes and improvements as they occur.

The Department operates a network of some 130 Local and Branch Offices throughout the country. Each Local Office has officers who are dedicated to providing information and are available to explain supports and services to people. This locally-based service is supported by a central Information Unit which operates a LoCall information line (1890 66 22 44) which customers may call for information and guidance on their entitlements. The Department produces a comprehensive range of information leaflets and booklets, including a booklet on bereavement and these are available widely in Social Welfare Offices, Citizens Information Centres and Post Offices. Leaflets can also be requested through the Department's website www.welfare.ie which contains full information on all schemes and services, including bereavement and widow's/widower's pensions.

The Citizens Information Board, which comes under the aegis of the Department, is the national information agency with responsibility for supporting the provision of independent information and advice on the broad range of social services including social welfare services. Information is provided through Citizen Information Centres and other offices throughout the country, and through the Citizens Information Phone Service (1890 777 121) which operates from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday. The website www.citizensinformation.ie has a section on bereavement which includes information on social welfare entitlements.

In addition, when a death is registered with the General Register Office (GRO) the Department's customer data is automatically updated. For state pension transition/contributory customers, a surviving qualified adult will automatically receive the 6 weeks after death payment of the married rate along with the bereavement grant. Each case will also be reviewed to examine the possible pension entitlement of the surviving spouse/civil partner, or as in many cases a widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension will automatically be awarded from the 7th week.

When the qualified adult of a contributory pensioner dies, the pensioner receives 6 weeks after death payment of the married rate and the bereavement grant automatically. On the death of a state pension transition/contributory recipient getting a payment at a single rate, but whose spouse is in receipt of another social welfare payment, payment of 6 weeks payment after death and the Bereavement Grant are paid automatically.

The Department has ongoing contact with the Irish Association of Funeral Directors and also deals with individual funeral directors in ensuring the details of the provisions of the Bereavement Grant scheme are made as widely available as possible.

I am satisfied that information is widely available to assist and enable those bereaved to access their social welfare entitlements.