Written Answers Nos. 347-370
347. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and to indicate when a decision will issue. [44712/12]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 3rd May 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. It will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason clients of Rehab who have a multitude of mental and physical handicaps and who have been in receipt of free travel since they were teenagers are having their free travel taken off them when it is vital to allowing them travel to Rehab everyday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44720/12]
View answerThe free travel scheme is currently available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over, to carers and to people who are in receipt of certain disability type payments. There are currently in excess of 740,000 customers eligible for free travel and when spousal and companion passes are taken into account, there are over 1.1 million customers with some free travel eligibility.
The cost of the free travel scheme has risen substantially over the last 10 years from almost €46 million for almost 608,000 customers in 2001 to over €75 million for 726,000 customers in 2011. My Department also provides some funding for the rural transport programme. In line with the Government decision, expenditure on this scheme has been frozen since 2010.
A temporary arrangement was put in place in 2005, whereby participants on the pilot employment programme, now known as the wage subsidy scheme (WSS), were allowed to retain their free travel pass for 3 years. New participants on the WSS were not given an entitlement to a free travel pass. In May 2009 this arrangement was reviewed and it was decided that due to the increasing numbers participating on the WSS, and the fact that WSS is not a qualifying payment for free travel, it was not possible to further extend the temporary arrangement.
As regards the loss of free travel benefits, I acknowledge that this is difficult for the people concerned. The measure was always intended to be a temporary measure for a very small group of people. In receiving the pass over a number of years, however, they have benefitted from free travel which is not available to other groups who could make an equally strong case.
To help ensure the future sustainability of the free travel scheme, a review is being carried out by officials from my Department, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the National Transport Authority. The review is in the early stages.
349. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44721/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7th March 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 9th October and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
350. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding that has been paid to householders in a location (details supplied) in County Cork under the hardship scheme as a result of the flooding in June of this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44729/12]
View answerDepartment officials provided immediate support to households affected by the Cork floods through the issue of exceptional and urgent needs payments. Most of these payments were made in respect of a household’s immediate needs such as clothing, food, bedding and emergency accommodation. The Government announced the extension of the humanitarian assistance scheme, to further assist affected householders in Cork. This scheme, which is means tested, is available to people whose homes were damaged in the flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair as a result of the flooding damage.
To-date, 98 customers have received assistance throughout the affected areas in county Cork at a total cost of approximately €105,000, of which 14 customers in the Clonakilty area have received a total of €12,770.
Any person continuing to experience hardship as a result of the floods in Cork should contact their local department representative administering the supplementary allowance scheme who may be able to offer assistance.
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an application for carer's allowance will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44761/12]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 8th December 2011. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. It will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
352. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason two companies (details supplied) in County Galway are not permitted to take on an unemployed person on the jobbridge scheme, in view of the number of unemployed persons in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44763/12]
View answerJobBridge the National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, in organisations operating in the private, public and community voluntary sectors. The principal aim of each Internship advertised through the scheme is to provide interns with an opportunity to keep close to the labour market while gaining valuable experience in a working environment. Thus enabling them to increase the knowledge and skills required to explore a new career path or enhance their career prospects and build their confidence through work experience.
All applications once received from host organisations involves the registration of the host Organisation. Once Host Organisations details and JobBridge application is received the Host Organisation and the associated JobBridge application are validated by the central JobBridge team against a set of quality guidelines.
We currently have no records for a Company-JobBridge host organisation with the name “Tyre Armour” based in Galway. There is currently no record of a Company-Host Organisation “Tone at Home” based in Galway.
Companies-potential JobBridge host organisations requesting further information on the National Internship Scheme can go to our website www.jobbridge.ie. To send an e-mail query go to the contact us section of the website and e-mail jobbridge@welfare.ie or contact one of our team at Tel: 1800 303515.
353. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will estimate the impact of the changes to child benefit payment under Budget 2012 on the budget of her Department in 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44784/12]
View answer372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that she can minimise the impact on persons with special needs in the context of budgetary preparations for the coming year in view of the economic circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44929/12]
View answer373. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate notwithstanding the conditions and liabilities arising from agreements entered into by her predecessors and corrective economic measures, if she will ensure that those dependant on the various payments by her Department are treated compassionately in the context of budgetary preparations for 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44930/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 353, 372 and 373 together.
The savings arising in 2013 and 2014 from the changes to the child benefit scheme which were announced in budget 2012, are €70.65 million in each of those two years.
The Revised Estimates for my Department provide for expenditure of €20.55 billion in 2012 on the wide range of schemes and services operated by the Department. This expenditure represents 39% of Gross Current Government Expenditure and impacts in some way on almost every single person and business in the State, either directly or indirectly.
The Comprehensive Expenditure Report published last December, provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €1,033 million over the next two years in the Department of Social Protection’s budget.
This includes €540 million of new savings to be achieved in budget 2013. Reducing overall expenditure in 2013 and beyond in line with these targets will be very challenging. No decisions have been made at this stage as to how these targets will be met. The Government will finalise its consideration of the budget over the forthcoming weeks and the level of expenditure by my Department in 2013 will be announced on Budget Day.
Looking ahead to the budget, I will strive to ensure that the burden of resolving the fiscal crisis does not fall disproportionately on those who depend on income supports from my Department.
354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review has been carried out and completed in respect of an application for rent allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44786/12]
View answerA review of Rent Supplement for the person concerned will be completed this week. While this review has been carried out, Rent Supplement has continued to be paid.
355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason jobseeker's allowance payment will be terminated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare should they accept a placement on the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44787/12]
View answerIf an individual wishes to participate on the jobBridge scheme their eligibility must be confirmed by this Department, and their host organisation must be an approved organisation.
If an individual engages with an employer outside of the criteria for the jobBridge scheme, it may affect their entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance.
356. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance payment appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44788/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 12th September 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
357. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by her Department and separately any agencies within the remit of her Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by her Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by her Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44855/12]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection operates 35 bank accounts. 17 of these relate to the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) and 18 relate to the Department’s Vote 37. In addition, the Department has two accounts with the Central Bank for receipt of PRSI and Voted Exchequer Funds. The use of individual bank accounts for specific receipts and payments allows for an improved audit trail, ease of reconciliation, segregation and division of duties and work. The individual bank details as requested by the Deputy are set out below.
DSP Bank Accounts
SIF Bank Accounts
|
Description |
Institution |
Purpose |
|
Investment Account |
Central Bank |
Receipt of PRSI for transfer to SIF No1 A/c |
|
No 1 A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Distribution account |
|
Central Remittance A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
General overpayments received centrally |
|
Internal Remittance A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
General overpayments received at Local Offices |
|
Pension Services Recovery A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Pension overpayments |
|
Deposit Interest A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
To earn interest on Exchequer funds pending distribution |
|
Redundancy &Insolvency (R&I) Receipts A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Redundancy & Insolvency recoveries |
|
R&I Domestic EFT A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Domestic Payment of R&I by EFT. |
|
R&I Foreign EFT A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Foreign payment of R&I by EFT |
|
SIF ISTS EFT A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment of certain specified computer systems by EFT |
|
Domestic Pensions EFT A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment of pensions and other schemes by EFT |
|
Foreign Pensions EFT A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Foreign payment of pensions and other schemes by EFT |
|
Cheque A/c T |
Bank of Ireland |
Scheme payments from certain specified computer systems |
|
Cheque A/c U |
Bank of Ireland |
Scheme payments from certain specified computer systems |
|
Cheque A/c V |
Bank of Ireland |
Miscellaneous foreign specified computer payments |
|
Cheque A/c X |
Bank of Ireland |
Scheme payments from specified computer system |
|
Cheque A/c Y |
Bank of Ireland |
Manual emergency scheme payments |
|
Cheque A/c Z |
Bank of Ireland |
Scheme payments from specified computer system |
Vote 37 Bank Accounts
|
Description |
Institution |
Purpose |
|
PMG A/c |
Central Bank |
Receipt of Exchequer funding |
|
Back to Work A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment of BTW by EFT |
|
Child Benefit A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment of CB by EFT |
|
Pensions & DA A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment of various schemes by EFT |
|
Vote ISTS EFT A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment from certain specified computer systems by EFT |
|
Regional Eastern A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Regional Mid Western A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Regional Midland A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Regional North East A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Regional North West A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Regional South East A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Regional Southern A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Regional Western A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) refunds |
|
Maintenance Recovery a/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt account |
|
Vote EFT Supplier A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment of DSP suppliers by EFT |
|
EMTS (Salaries) A/c |
Bank of Ireland |
Payment of DSP salaries by EFT |
|
Vote EFT Account |
Bank of Ireland |
Receipt of miscellaneous Vote amounts |
|
General Registry Office A/c |
Ulster Bank |
Receipt of GRO fees by Credit/Laser card |
|
Community/Employment A/C |
Bank of Ireland |
Funding of community employment schemes |
There are three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department, namely the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) comes under the remit of the Department. The Social Welfare Tribunal does not have an individual bank account as expenses are paid directly by the Department. The individual bank details as requested by the Deputy are set out below.
Agency Bank Accounts
Bank Accounts - Pensions Board
|
Description |
Institution |
Purpose |
|
Current Account |
Bank of Ireland |
Lodge money and meet monthly outgoings |
|
Savings Account |
Bank of Ireland |
Maintain short term monthly cash surpluses |
|
Various Term Deposit Accounts |
Bank of Ireland |
Invest surplus cash |
|
Various Term Deposit Accounts |
AIB |
Invest surplus cash |
|
Exchequer Notes |
NTMA |
Invest surplus cash |
Bank Accounts - Citizens Information Board
|
Description |
Institution |
Purpose |
|
CIB Bank Account |
AIB |
Business transactions |
Bank Accounts - Office of the Pensions Ombudsman
|
Description |
Institution |
Purpose |
|
Standard Commercial Account |
Bank of Ireland |
Business transactions |
The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy in relation to fees and charges:
Charges / Fees
|
- |
2011 Paid |
2012 Estimate |
|
Department of Social Protection |
- |
- |
|
Clearing charges* |
€97,478 |
€92,000 |
|
GRO Transaction & Maintenance Charges** |
€3,068 |
€3,000 |
|
- |
€100,546 |
€95,000 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
Agency - Charges/Fees |
- |
- |
|
Pensions Board*** |
€2,400 |
€3,300 |
|
Citizens Information Board**** |
€815 |
€990 |
|
Office of the Pensions Ombudsman**** |
€0 |
€25 |
|
€3,215 |
€4,315 |
* Charges in respect of clearing cheques through the bank’s computer centre.
**The GRO receipting account is subject to transaction and maintenance charges.
***The Pensions Board has negotiated a discount in respect of regular bank fees.
****No special arrangements in place.
The proportion of payments issued electronically is as follows:
|
Department of Social Protection |
92% |
|
Agency - Pensions Board |
96% |
|
Agency - Citizens Information Board |
96% |
|
Agency - Office of the Pensions Ombudsman |
100% |
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of diability allowance to be paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44858/12]
View answerAn application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on the 24 January 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who found that the person was not medically eligible for disability allowance. A letter issued on the 7 July 2012 refusing the allowance.
If the person concerned has additional information which was not available to the deciding officer when they made their decision it is open to him to re-apply for the payment.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a reduced rate supplementary welfare allowance as he has means assessed against him.
359. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if, arising from the introduction of the levy on pension schemes, the review into fees charged by pensions providers has been reviewed; and if she will specify the reductions in fees that have been achieved. [44862/12]
View answerThe pension levy is a charge for a temporary period on the assets of pension funds in order to fund the Jobs Initiative introduced in 2011 and is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
In a separate exercise, my Department, together with the Central Bank and the Pensions Board and with the assistance of PricewaterhouseCoopers, has conducted a review of the level of pension charges levied on pension arrangements for the purpose of assessing whether charges are reasonable and transparent. I intend to take this report to Government shortly.
360. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for rent support received in her Department or through the Health Service Executive in each of the past two years to date; the number approved, refused or pending; the average length of time taken to process applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44868/12]
View answerThere are currently approximately 90,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.
Statistics are not available on the number of rent supplement applications received for the past two years or the outcome of those applications. Following is a tabular statement outlining the number of rent supplement claims awarded during each of the past two years.
The timescale for determining applications is dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant’s income, bank statements, etc. In addition, some aspects of the application are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where investigations such as home visits or third party evidence are required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department’s staff dealing with applications. However, this is tempered by the necessity to ensure that every case is fully investigated and that all cases are dealt with in a consistent and fair manner. While statistics are not available on the average length of time taken to assess rent supplement, Department staff dealing with these applications make every effort to ensure claims are processed in an efficient manner.
Details of claims awarded in 2010 to 2012:
|
Year |
Rent Supplement |
|
2010 |
71,674 |
|
2011 |
63,878 |
|
2012 (1) |
38,249 |
(1)To 5 October 2012
361. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the average length of time taken to process an application for contributory or non-contributory old age pension in each of the past three years to date; the numbers granted; refused or pending, the most common reason for refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44869/12]
View answerThe Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers and to ensuring that claims are processed as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. Processing times vary across schemes, depending on the number of claims received and the differing qualification criteria. Means-tested payments such as State pension (non-contributory) can require more detailed investigation and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision making process.
Through ongoing business process improvement projects, the operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work in all scheme areas are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised. As part of the Department’s programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims and improving claim processing times, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years. The State pension (non-contributory) scheme transferred to a new technology platform in 2011, and this will ensure that the scheme is operated more efficiently and that processing times will improve incrementally.
In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources. The Department will continue to source available staff to fill critical vacancies by way of redeployment, or transfer from within the Department and other Government Departments, taking account of the employment control framework target, as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
I wish to assure the Deputy that prompt processing of claims remains a priority for me.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables.
The most common reasons for claim disallowance are:
State pension (contributory) - conditions of entitlement not satisfied.
State pension (non-contributory) - means exceed the statutory limit.
Table 1: State pension (contributory) claims processing 2009 to 2012:
|
Year |
Claims pending at start of year |
Claims received |
Claims awarded |
Claims disallowed |
Claims pending at end of year |
Average Weeks to clear |
|
2012* |
2,888 |
26,803 |
19,255 |
5,312 |
2,391 |
6 |
|
2011 |
2,826 |
36,281 |
25,964 |
7,778 |
2,888 |
5 |
|
2010 |
3,264 |
32,940 |
23,194 |
10,639 |
2,826 |
7 |
|
2009 |
4,405 |
30,595 |
21,478 |
12,927 |
3,264 |
13 |
*to end-Sept 2012
Table 2: State pension (non-contributory) claims processing 2009 to 2012:
|
Year |
Claims pending at start of year |
Claims received |
Claims awarded |
Claims disallowed |
Claims pending at end of year |
Average Weeks to clear |
|
2012* |
1,869 |
7,093 |
5,576 |
1,881 |
1,609 |
12 |
|
2011 |
1,507 |
9,838 |
7,440 |
2,398 |
1,869 |
10 |
|
2010 |
1,639 |
9,835 |
7,191 |
2,641 |
1,507 |
9 |
|
2009 |
1,415 |
10,802 |
7,811 |
2,961 |
1,639 |
8 |
*to end-Sept 2012
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of community employment schemes currently in place throughout the country; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to retain or replace with alternatives in equal number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44870/12]
View answer366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects to continue to be in a position to provide the necessary resources to retain the maximum number of places on community employment or related schemes throughout County Kildare having particular regard to the on-going success of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44874/12]
View answer369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of community employment schemes currently in place throughout the country; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to retain or replace with alternatives in equal number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44877/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 366 and 369 together.
The current number of Community Employment (CE) projects nationally is 1,110 as at 12th October 2012. There has been no change to the number of approved places in 2012 compared to 2011. As a result of the continuous recruitment onto CE schemes, the numbers on the CE programme will fluctuate over and under the approved 23,300 full time equivalent numbers for 2012.
The Department is committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the Community Employment Programme whilst being conscious of the valuable contribution it is making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland.
With regards to County Kildare CE schemes, there are currently 32 projects operational as at 12th October. Again, there has been no change to the number of approved places in 2012 compared to 2011.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which extra staff will continue to be made available to her Department with the objective of catering for increased demand arising from the downturn in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44871/12]
View answerIn the period since May 2008, 1,056 staff have been assigned to my Department to fill critical vacancies and additional posts that were approved to deal with the increased volume of claims due to the downturn in the economy. The majority of these staff have been sourced through the redeployment and transfer of staff from other Government Departments.
In addition, in order to begin the roll out of the Public Services Card on a nationwide basis, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform gave sanction to the Department for the provision of up to 150 additional clerical officer posts. The sanction is subject to resources being sourced from redeployment panels in the first instance, and where resources are not available from that source, the temporary recruitment of temporary clerical officers through the Public Appointments Service
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, having regard to workloads, management priorities and the competing demands arising, with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department. I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to source staff to fill critical vacancies by way of redeployment, taking account of the Employment Control Framework target, as determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Question No. 364 answered with Question No. 82.
365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to ensure against the occurrence of overpayments which result in recovery and consequent hardship with particular reference to cases where the overpayment was not as a result of oversight or negligence on the paret of the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44873/12]
View answerThe Department is fully committed to recovering 100% of overpayments. Those customers who are aware that they are being - or have been - overpaid by the Department should contact their local social welfare office immediately. An overpayment recovery plan, acceptable both to the customer and to the Department, will then be agreed. The general approach is that the recovery amount proposed would be the maximum repayment that the debtor can afford in order to recover the overpayment as quickly as possible.
Overpayments may be recovered through regular periodic payments, deduction from the customers on-going benefit payments or by way of a single payment covering the full amount owed. Debt holders should be aware that a Departmental debt will remain on their records until fully recovered. This will result in a reduction of all future entitlements up to and including State pension and a potential claim on any estate following the death of a customer who owes a debt.
A key priority for my Department is to ensure that fraudulent activity within the social welfare system is vigorously prevented and combated. Social welfare fraud undermines public confidence in the entire system as well as being unfair to other recipients of social welfare payments and taxpayers. Effective debt recovery is an integral part of the deterrent to fraudulent claiming.
The Department is very conscious of its obligation to protect public money and is determined to ensure that abuse of the system is prevented and is dealt with effectively when detected.
370. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals nationally; the payment application to which the appeal relates; the specific breakdown for County Donegal; and if she will provide in tabular form each appeal category and the length of time of appeals on a three, six, nine and 12 and 12+ month category. [44916/12]
View answerI am advised the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there were 21,674 appeals being processed on 12th October 2012, broken down as requested by scheme type in the following table. Statistics are not maintained on a County basis.
In an effort to reduce the processing times for all appeals, the Department has appointed 15 additional Appeals Officers since 2010. In addition, a further ten Appeals Officers, formerly employed by the Community Welfare Services (CWS) of the Health Services Executive joined the Office as part of the integration of the CWS appeals services into the Social Welfare Appeals Office, bringing the total number of Appeals Officers now serving in the Office to 41. In addition to this the Office has improved its business processes and IT support.
I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping the methods of operation by which the Social Welfare Appeals Office conducts its business under constant review, and that the processes are continuously being enhanced to reduce the backlogs in the Office and, overall, to reduce the processing times for dealing with appeals.
Table: Appeals on hand at 12 October 2012
|
SCHEME |
Period Open (Months) |
- |
- |
- |
Appeals Open |
- |
|
- |
0 to 3 |
4 to 6 |
7 to 9 |
10 to 12 |
12 months + |
@ 12/10/12 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
20 |
17 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
48 |
|
Blind Pension |
3 |
6 |
4 |
- |
- |
13 |
|
Carers Allowance |
733 |
454 |
293 |
42 |
113 |
1,635 |
|
Carers Benefit |
58 |
20 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
93 |
|
Child Benefit |
166 |
151 |
70 |
20 |
85 |
492 |
|
Disability Allowance |
1,656 |
1,339 |
754 |
99 |
321 |
4,169 |
|
Domiciliary Care |
570 |
288 |
304 |
38 |
55 |
1,255 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
|
Deserted Wives Allowance |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Farm Assist |
46 |
66 |
13 |
2 |
30 |
157 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
74 |
46 |
15 |
3 |
4 |
142 |
|
Homemakers |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Illness Benefit |
372 |
425 |
276 |
77 |
390 |
1,540 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,597 |
960 |
1,031 |
243 |
283 |
4,114 |
|
Liable Relatives |
6 |
7 |
14 |
5 |
15 |
47 |
|
Lone Parent |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
160 |
222 |
85 |
33 |
143 |
643 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
8 |
7 |
2 |
- |
1 |
18 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
39 |
26 |
9 |
7 |
18 |
99 |
|
State Pension (Non-Cont) |
62 |
46 |
12 |
12 |
44 |
176 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
13 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
28 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
2 |
7 |
- |
1 |
1 |
11 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical) |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
19 |
20 |
|
Disablement Pension – OIBDIS |
71 |
93 |
53 |
3 |
54 |
274 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
35 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
35 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
3 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
20 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
12 |
7 |
2 |
- |
2 |
23 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-con) |
- |
4 |
6 |
1 |
- |
11 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
778 |
495 |
220 |
26 |
228 |
1,747 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
450 |
671 |
157 |
19 |
208 |
1,505 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
220 |
274 |
78 |
8 |
91 |
671 |
|
JA/JB Fraud Control |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Respite Care Grant |
85 |
23 |
18 |
8 |
1 |
135 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
16 |
12 |
7 |
3 |
49 |
87 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1,331 |
504 |
277 |
227 |
65 |
2,404 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
3 |
12 |
2 |
- |
1 |
18 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
10 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
28 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
8,602 |
6,205 |
3,729 |
887 |
2,251 |
21,674 |
