Written answers

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Benefits

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if persons (details supplied) in County Meath are entitled to mortgage interest subsidy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30993/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community welfare service (CWS), and the community welfare officers providing it, transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP.

There is no record of an application for mortgage interest supplement (MIS) from the persons concerned. If they wish to have their entitlement to MIS assessed, then they should visit the Department's representative who administers supplementary welfare allowance in Ashbourne Health Centre on Thursday mornings between 10am and 1pm where an assessment for entitlement to MIS can be carried out.

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the impact on post offices of having social welfare payments paid directly into a bank account rather than a post office account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31001/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The range of payment options offered by my Department includes payment at a local post office via electronic information transfer (EIT), through a bank, building society or certain credit unions via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or payment by cheque.

At present, An Post can direct pension and child benefit payments transferred via EFT into An Post State Savings Accounts. Consideration is being given to extending this facility to customers in receipt of certain other scheme payments. An Post also currently provides front office services for AIB and National Irish Bank. In such cases although the account is not held by the post office, social welfare and other customers can access their accounts and manage their payments through the network of post offices around the country.

The current contract with An Post for the payment of welfare customers at Post Offices expires on the 31st December 2013. Public sector contracts for the supply of products and services are generally awarded following a publicly advertised, competitive tendering process. In line with public procurement guidelines and in the interests of economy, the Department is required to seek tenders for the delivery of social welfare payments before the current contract with An Post expires in 2013.

In addition, the award of public sector contracts with a significant financial value is subject to various EU Directives. This ensures that the taxpayer receives value for money and that all potential suppliers are given the opportunity to put forward for efficient, effective and competitive solutions for consideration and evaluation.

While it will of course be open to An Post to bid for the new contract, the development of the An Post network and services is a matter for An Post to consider in consultation with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is now being requested to provide the up-to-date status of their housing needs when they have already submitted documentation and tenancy agreements showing that they have been in rented accommodation for ten months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31002/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community welfare service (CWS) and the community welfare officers providing it transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP.

When the person concerned was awarded his rent supplement payment in June 2011 it was on the basis that he would have his housing needs assessed by the local authority. This assessment is still required in relation to his on-going entitlement and to date he has not provided the assessment of housing need.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the option now available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [31006/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned may make an application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA). In order to qualify for DCA, a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time, so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.

In addition, the person concerned can contact the information officer in their local Social Welfare Office or any Citizens Information Centre who will advise them of other forms of assistance that may be available to them.

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