John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 367: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views that recipients of social welfare pensions and benefits will have difficulty in accessing their payments due to the closure of some rural post offices and the lack of a public transport system in many rural areas; if she has had any discussions with An Post as the service provider to ensure proper access to their payments for persons who do not have bank accounts; if she has specified a minimum travelling distance for accessibility to payments in her contract with the service provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3728/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is committed to providing a high quality service to our customers and to ensuring that all payments are made available on their due date. We offer a range of payment options to customers including payment at a local post office via electronic information transfer (EIT), through a bank, building society account or certain credit unions via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or payment by cheque. There are some exceptions, as for administrative or control purposes we may limit the choice of payment method e.g. Jobseeker payments may only be collected at Post Offices. However, in most cases, customers can opt for a payment method having regard to their own personal circumstances.

While An Post is currently contracted by my Department, the operation of its network of post offices is a matter for An Post. An Post currently has a network of 1,154 Post Offices and a further 175 postal agencies. If a customer opts for payment via An Post, the customer may also select the post office most convenient for them to receive the payment. In these circumstances, the Department does not stipulate a minimum travelling distance for customers who are referred to alternative post offices. However, I have been assured by An Post that before taking any decision to close a post office, it considers the relevant issues from a customer perspective, including the distance customers may have to travel to the nearest alternative post office. I understand during 2011 seven post offices closed and one postal agency was established.

Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work closely with An Post to ensure we continue to provide a high quality service to our customers.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 368: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the policy that informs the allocation of rent assistance to the non-custodial parent regarding providing for overnight access to their children; her plans to review the policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3733/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the State.

Every claim for rent supplement is determined having regard to the particular circumstances of the applicant. Any person seeking a rent supplement must first satisfy the Department's representative that they have a housing need that they are unable to meet from their own resources. In addition, the Department must be satisfied that the residence is reasonably suited to the residential and other needs of the claimant. The Department must also be satisfied that the rent payable is reasonable having regard to the nature, character and location of the residence.

In a case where parents have joint custody of a child, the needs of both parents to have adequate accommodation to look after the child are taken into account when an application for a rent supplement is being determined. In such cases, documentation is normally required showing that a joint custody arrangement is in place and being availed of before a decision can be made. The fact that one parent is in receipt of rent supplement would not in itself preclude the other parent from being entitled to assistance towards their rent.