Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has reached a decision on whether of not to recommend to the Department of Social Protection that retained fire-fighters should be entitled to social welfare if they have no other form of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7702/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Questions of entitlement to social welfare are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and I have no function or role in making recommendations in that regard. My Department was contacted by the Department of Social Protection seeking information on the retained fire service and has provided information on the fire service in general. Retained fire-fighters are employees of local authorities and the Department of Social Protection may make direct contact with local authorities if, in accordance with their statutory remit, they are seeking specific information.