asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of social welfare recipients in County Galway receiving (1) unemployment assistance; (2) unemployment benefit; (3) contributory old age pension; (4) non-contributory old age pension; (5) disability benefit and (6) any other social assistance who have had their payments (a) terminated, (b) reduced and (c) suspended and are waiting appeals at the moment; the total number of appeals received in 1983 and 1984 respectively under all these headings; the average length of time it took to deal with these appeals; the total number of social welfare officers employed in the country and the venues they are employed at; the total number of appeals officers servicing (a) County Galway and (b) the country; and if he will make a statement on this situation.
Written Answers. - County Galway Social Welfare Statistics.
The number of claimants in County Galway for unemployment benefit is 4,282, the number claiming unemployment assistance is 7,014 and the number receiving disability benefit is 2,139. Statistics are not kept on a county basis for recipients of pensions or assistance payments administered by the Department.
Statistics are not available for the number of claimants in County Galway who had their entitlements reduced or terminated and who have lodged appeals. For the country as a whole, the number of appeals decided in 1983 and 1984 in respect of the various schemes are:
|
Scheme |
1983 |
1984 |
|
Unemployment Assistance |
626 |
668 |
|
Unemployment Benefit |
3,279 |
3,405 |
|
Contributory Old Age Pension |
17 |
7 |
|
Non-contributory Old Age Pension |
3,289 |
2,233 |
|
Disability Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Invalidity Pensions and Death Grant |
1,358 |
1,215 |
|
Other Social assistance Schemes administered by my Department |
340 |
399 |
There are no statistics available on the average time taken to process these appeals.
The Department employs a cadre of some 278 social welfare officers and their supervisors who are located at some 92 centres throughout the country. A list of these venues and the number of social welfare officers at each venue is set out below.
The appeals branch comprises ten appeals officers and one chief appeals officer. None of these officers is specifically assigned to the Galway area. Officers are assigned to various areas to deal with appeals as they arise.
|
Location |
Number of Social Welfare Officers |
|
Athlone |
5 |
|
Tuam |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Tralee |
4 |
|
Ballina |
2 |
|
Ballyhaunis |
1 |
|
Claremorris |
1 |
|
Swinford |
1 |
|
Ballaghadereen |
1 |
|
Ballinamore |
1 |
|
Ballymote |
1 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
1 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
Castlebar |
4 |
|
Westport |
1 |
|
Baileboro |
1 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Granard |
1 |
|
Kells |
2 |
|
Clonmel |
3 |
|
Carrick-on-Suir |
1 |
|
Bandon |
2 |
|
Cork |
16 |
|
Bantry |
1 |
|
Dunmanway |
1 |
|
Macroom |
1 |
|
Fermoy |
1 |
|
Youghal |
1 |
|
Dublin (Marlboro' St.) |
55 |
|
Malahide |
2 |
|
Phibsboro' Tower |
2 |
|
Crumlin |
2 |
|
Lucan |
2 |
|
Dún Laoghaire |
4 |
|
Dundrum |
2 |
|
Bary |
2 |
|
Naas |
2 |
|
Newbridge |
1 |
|
Ardee |
1 |
|
Dundalk |
4 |
|
Ennis |
2 |
|
Kilrush |
1 |
|
Arklow |
1 |
|
Gorey |
1 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Gort |
1 |
|
Killarney |
3 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Muinebheag |
1 |
|
Kenmare |
1 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Buncrana |
2 |
|
Letterkenny |
3 |
|
Moville |
1 |
|
Ballybofey |
1 |
|
Dungloe |
1 |
|
Falcarragh |
1 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
Newcastle West |
2 |
|
Castlerea |
1 |
|
Longford |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
Kilmallock |
1 |
|
Mallow |
2 |
|
Newmarket |
1 |
|
Carrickmacross |
2 |
|
Clones |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Mullingar |
3 |
|
Tullamore |
2 |
|
Birr |
1 |
|
Nenagh |
1 |
|
Portumna |
1 |
|
Templemore |
1 |
|
Athy |
1 |
|
Edenderry |
1 |
|
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
|
Killybegs |
1 |
|
Thurles |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Listowel |
2 |
|
Dungarvan |
1 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
New Ross |
2 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
|
Drogheda |
3 |
|
Trim |
1 |
|
Enniscorthy |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Clifden |
1 |
|
Loughrea |
1 |
|
Total |
234 |
The remaining 48 social welfare officers were not attached to any particular area and provide relief in areas when resident social welfare officers are absent on annual leave or sick leave.
655.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of social welfare investigating officers at present employed by his Department; and the number employed on March 1984, 1983, 1982 and 1981.
All officers of my Department are required as part of their normal duties to be on the alert for possible abuses of the social welfare system and to refer for investigation any case in which suspected irregularities come to their notice. This applies in particular in the case of the outdoor staff which is comprised of the grades of social welfare supervisor, social welfare officer and inspectors of agents. These officers are mainly concerned with the investigation of means in the case of means tested benefits and ensuring that the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts in relation to social insurance are complied with. Forty seven officers are, however, specifically engaged on the investigation of abuses of the various schemes. Although most of the officers do not have the official title of inspector their duties consist essentially of inspection work. The number of outdoor staff employed at present and on the dates specified by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Date |
Social Welfare Supervisors |
Social Welfare Officers |
Inspector of Agents |
Senior Inspector of Agents |
Total |
|
1 March 1985 |
69 |
282 |
8 |
1 |
360 |
|
1 March 1984 |
69 |
283 |
6 |
1 |
359 |
|
1 March 1983 |
69 |
285 |
7 |
1 |
362 |
|
1 March 1982 |
61 |
260 |
8 |
1 |
330 |
|
1 March 1981 |
60 |
246 |
8 |
1 |
315 |