Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 September 2009
930 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare against the decision to refuse their application for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31615/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
931 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31619/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
932 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for the one parent family allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31636/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
933 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31637/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal has been partially allowed in this case. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officers decision on 14 September 2009. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
934 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31639/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
935 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31641/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
936 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31647/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
937 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31648/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
938 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31651/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
939 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for disablement benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31652/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
940 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31653/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
941 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31655/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
942 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31656/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
943 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for jobseeker’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31657/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an oral hearing of this case took place on 2 September 2009 and the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The Chief Appeals Officer will write to the Deputy when the appeal has been determined. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
944 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is waiting since April 2009 to be assessed by the chief appeals officer regarding their application for illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31663/09]
View answerPayment of illness benefit to the person concerned was discontinued following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. She did this and the relevant departmental papers have been requested from the Department. On receipt of the relevant papers the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
There has been an increase of 32% in the number of appeals received so far this year compared to last year and, having regard to the current volume of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office earlier this year. Furthermore, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
945 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be held in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has appealed a decision not to grant their application for illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31669/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
946 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on a carer’s allowance appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31670/09]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
