Written Answers Nos. 456-479
456. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a family income supplement payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1011/13]
View answerThe person concerned made a first time application for family income supplement (FIS) on 5 November 2012.
To qualify for FIS a person must be engaged in full-time insurable employment as an employee which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week.
Following their application, the case of the person concerned was referred to a social welfare investigator. Upon receipt of the social welfare investigator’s report, a deciding officer decided that FIS was not payable on the ground that the employment concerned is self-employment. As FIS is only payable to employees, the application has been refused.
However, other arrangements exist whereby self-employed people on low earnings can receive additional payments under the social welfare system. Self-employed people whose income falls below the rate of jobseeker’s allowance (JA) appropriate to their family circumstances are entitled to claim assistance.
The rate of assistance payable depends on the person's means. In assessing means, account is taken of the net income which the applicant may reasonably expect to receive in the next year, and all expenses necessarily incurred by the applicant in carrying out the business are disregarded.
The person concerned should enquire into his entitlements, in this regard, at his local social welfare office.
457. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1031/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 15th June 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
458. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review and decision will be made on an appeal in respect of a person in County Mayo who had their invalidity pension withdrawn; if this person will be given a medical review on foot of the extra information supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1032/13]
View answerPayment of invalidity pension, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable.
An appeal was registered on 2nd January 2013 and the Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with the statutory procedures, the relevant department papers and the comments of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of the appeal have been sought. In that context, an assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
459. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a one-parent family appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1036/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned together with the relevant Departmental papers and the comments of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal was received in that office on 9th January 2013. 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.
460. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will approve an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1046/13]
View answerThe person concerned has made an application for rent supplement and was requested to provide further information on the 5th October 2012 in order to process his claim. A decision will be made on his application when the information has been provided.
461. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [1049/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 20th October 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who was of the opinion that the caree in question was not medically eligible for carer’s allowance. A letter issued on the 17th July 2012 refusing the allowance. The person in question subsequently submitted further medical evidence for review on 14th August 2012. The additional evidence has recently been assessed by a medical assessor and the application is now with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
463. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1058/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 29th June 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department’s medical assessors who found that the caree in question was not medically eligible for carer’s allowance. The deciding officer further decided that the applicant was not habitually resident in the State. A letter issued on the 10th of March 2012 notifying the person concerned of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal.
The person in question requested a review of this decision. Following the review, the caree in question was found to be medically eligible. The habitual residency condition has also been reviewed. The application is with a deciding officer for a revised decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
464. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on any changes in the payments made to carer's in the years 2002 and to date, including in Budget 2013, in tabular form; the numbers that qualified for the various payments in each of the years concerned; the overall budget for carer's supports from her Department in each of those years in tabular form; the data that is available to her Department that enables a comparison to be made to financial supports to carer's in other EU countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1067/13]
View answerThe estimated expenditure on carers in 2012 is over €771 million: €509 million on carer’s allowance, €24 million on carer’s benefit, €135 million on the respite care grant and €103 million on domiciliary care allowance. This represents an increase of almost €20 million on expenditure in 2011. Carer’s also receive a free travel pass at an annual cost of €6 million and carers who reside with the care recipient are eligible for the household benefits package at an annual cost of approximately €30 million.
The principal source of data for other jurisdictions is MISSOC, the 'Mutual Information System on Social Protection / Social Security'. The system includes information on Social Protection in all 27 Member States of the European Union, the three countries of the European economic area - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway - as well as Switzerland.
The tables below provide the information requested by the Deputy:
|
Changes to Rate of Respite Care Grant - 2002-2013 |
|||||
|
Year |
Rate of Grant € |
% change over previous year |
|||
|
2002 |
635 |
25 |
|||
|
2003 |
735 |
15.7 |
|||
|
2004 |
835 |
13.6 |
|||
|
2005 |
1,000 |
19.8 |
|||
|
2006 |
1,200 |
20 |
|||
|
2007 |
1,500 |
25 |
|||
|
2008 |
1,700 |
13.3 |
|||
|
2009 |
1,700 |
0 |
|||
|
2010 |
1,700 |
0 |
|||
|
2011 |
1,700 |
0 |
|||
|
2012 |
1,700 |
0 |
|||
|
2013 |
1,375 |
-19 |
|||
|
Changes to Rate of Carer’s Allowance – Under Age 66 – 2002 -2013 |
|||||
|
Rate € |
Increase € |
Increase % |
|||
|
2002 |
122.60 |
10.23 |
9.1% |
||
|
2003 |
129.60 |
7.00 |
5.7% |
||
|
2004 |
139.60 |
10.00 |
7.7% |
||
|
2005 |
153.60 |
14.00 |
10.0% |
||
|
2006 |
180.00 |
26.40 |
17.2% |
||
|
2007 |
200.00 |
20.00 |
11.1% |
||
|
2008 |
214.00 |
14.00 |
7.0% |
||
|
2009 |
220.50 |
6.50 |
3.0% |
||
|
2010 |
212.00 |
(8.50) |
-3.9% |
||
|
2011 |
204.00 |
(8.00) |
-3.8% |
||
|
2012 |
204.00 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
2013 |
204.00 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
Changes to Rate of Carer’s Allowance – Over Age 66 - 2002-2013 |
|||||
|
Rate € |
Increase € |
Increase % |
|||
|
2002 |
137.80 |
12.73 |
10.2% |
||
|
2003 |
147.80 |
10.00 |
7.3% |
||
|
2004 |
157.80 |
10.00 |
6.8% |
||
|
2005 |
169.80 |
12.00 |
7.6% |
||
|
2006 |
200.00 |
30.20 |
17.8% |
||
|
2007 |
218.00 |
18.00 |
9.0% |
||
|
2008 |
232.00 |
14.00 |
6.4% |
||
|
2009 |
239.00 |
7.00 |
3.0% |
||
|
2010 |
239.00 |
0.00 |
0.0% |
||
|
2011 |
239.00 |
0.00 |
0.0% |
||
|
2012 |
239.00 |
0.00 |
0.0% |
||
|
2013 |
239.00 |
0.00 |
0.0% |
||
Changes to Carer's Benefit
|
Rate € |
Increase € |
Increase % |
|
|
2002 |
132.70 |
10.17 |
8.3% |
|
2003 |
139.70 |
7.00 |
5.3% |
|
2004 |
149.70 |
10.00 |
7.2% |
|
2005 |
163.70 |
14.00 |
9.4% |
|
2006 |
180.70 |
17.00 |
10.4% |
|
2007 |
200.70 |
20.00 |
11.1% |
|
2008 |
214.70 |
14.00 |
7.0% |
|
2009 |
221.20 |
6.50 |
3.0% |
|
2010 |
213.00 |
(8.20) |
-3.7% |
|
2011 |
205.00 |
(8.00) |
-3.8% |
|
2012 |
205.00 |
0.00 |
0.0% |
|
2013 |
205.00 |
0.00 |
0.0% |
Expenditure on Carer’s schemes
|
Carer's Allowance |
Carer's Benefit (1) |
Respite Care Grant (2) |
Total (5) |
% Increase (year on year) |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
2002 |
160,042 |
5,807 |
n/a |
165,849 |
24.9% |
|
2003 |
183,273 |
6,943 |
n/a |
190,216 |
14.7% |
|
2004 |
210,277 |
7,698 |
n/a |
217,975 |
14.6% |
|
2005 |
223,059 |
9,588 |
34,302 |
266,949 |
22.5% |
|
2006 |
284,584 |
16,688 |
50,458 |
351,730 |
31.8% |
|
2007(3) |
361,257 |
26,900 |
73,376 |
461,533 |
31.2% |
|
2008 |
450,260 |
33,666 |
98,204 |
582,130 |
26.1% |
|
2009 |
502,469 |
30,204 |
99,200 |
631,873 |
8.5% |
|
2010 |
501,789 |
26,288 |
128,097 |
656,174 |
3.8% |
|
2011 |
507,193 |
24,474 |
130,392 |
662,059 |
-0.8% |
|
2012 (est) |
509,170 |
24,072 |
135,490 |
668,732 |
1.0% |
|
2013 (est) |
534,200 |
24,300 |
110,650 |
669,150 |
0.06% |
|
% increase 2000-2010 |
Total expenditure on all carers schemes has increased by 570% from 2000 to 2012 |
||||
|
1: Carer's benefit was introduced in 2000 2: Expenditure on respite care grant is included in carer's allowance or carer's benefit expenditure for the years 2000 to 2004 inclusive 3: Half-rate carer's allowance was introduced in September 2007 This table does not, for comparability purposes, include expenditure on domiciliary care allowance which was transferred to the Department during the course of 2009. Expenditure in 2010 was €95.7, 2011 was €99.9 million, 2012 was €102.5 million (est) and estimated expenditure for 2013 is €106.8 million. |
|||||
Recipients of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit 2002 – 2012
|
Year |
Carer’s Allowance |
Carer’s Benefit |
|
2002 |
20,395 |
615 |
|
2003 |
21,316 |
639 |
|
2004 |
23,030 |
679 |
|
2005 |
24,970 |
867 |
|
2006 |
27,474 |
1,647 |
|
2007 |
33,067 |
2,080 |
|
2008 |
43,569 |
2,249 |
|
2009 |
48,223 |
1,917 |
|
2010 |
50,577 |
1,642 |
|
2011 |
51,666 |
1,637 |
Number of Respite Care Grants paid in 2010 and 2011
|
Scheme |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
38,260 |
39,600 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
1,720 |
1,200 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
25,500 |
26,700 |
|
Standalone RCG |
6,500 |
5,600 |
|
Total |
71,980 |
73,100 |
The figures for Carer’s Benefit , Domiciliary Care Allowance and Standalone RCG are approximate.
Note: There were 51,666 people in receipt of carer’s allowance, including half-rate carer’s allowance in 2011. The reason for the lower number of grants for carer’s allowance in the table above is because some people were awarded the grant as part of the domiciliary care allowance prior to being awarded carer’s allowance.
Data in relation to respite care grant is not readily available over a longer period. However, it can be noted that all recipients of carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit would automatically have received this payment.
People receiving more than one Respite Care Grant 2011
|
Carer’s Allowance |
Carer’s Benefit |
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
|
· 2,850 in respect of two care recipients · 91 in respect of three care recipients · 7 in respect of four care recipients · 2 in respect of five care recipients |
· 94 in respect of two care recipients · 1 in respect of three care recipients |
· 1,509 in respect of two children · 124 in respect of three children · 10 in respect of four children |
|
Total 3,061 |
Total 96 |
Total 1,787 |
466. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to supports to carer's who need additional financial aid in respect of respite costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1069/13]
View answerI am aware that the reduction in the respite care grant is very difficult for carers. However, in order to allow us to protect the core weekly payments which people receive such as pensions, disability and carer’s allowance, the Government had to look very carefully at other additional payments, such as the respite care grant. I have no plans to introduce additional financial aid in respect of respite costs.
Carers receive significant income supports from the Department, among the highest rates of income support in Europe. Carers receive additional support in the form of free travel and household benefits (for those who live with the person for whom they care), and the annual respite care grant in respect of each person for whom they care. If a person is getting certain qualifying social welfare payments and also providing full time care and attention to another person, they can keep their main social welfare payment and get the half-rate carer's allowance as well. They can also receive an extra half-rate carer’s allowance if they care for more than one person.
The income disregard and means test for carers is the most generous within the social welfare system. A couple under 66 with two children, earning a joint annual income of up to €35,400 can qualify for maximum payment carer’s allowance which such a couple earning €59,300 will still qualify for the minimum rate.
Expenditure on carers has increased significantly in recent years. The estimated expenditure on carers in 2012 was over €771 million: €509 million on carer’s allowance, €24 million on carer’s benefit, €135 million on the respite care grant and €103 on domiciliary care allowance. This represents an increase of almost €20 million on expenditure in 2011. There are almost 52,000 people in receipt of carer’s allowance. Of these, over 23,000 are getting half-rate carer’s allowance in addition to another social welfare payment at an annual cost of some €90 million. There are over 1,600 people in receipt of carer’s benefit. The numbers in receipt of a carer’s allowance payment from the Department have increased by more than 150% in the last 10 years from 20,000 in 2001 to 52,000 in 2012. Expenditure on the carer’s allowance scheme has increased by almost 220% in the same period.
The respite care grant is paid to approximately 70,000 people each year, with some 5,000 people in receipt of more than one grant as they care for more than one person. This includes people who are in receipt of the carer’s allowance, the domiciliary care allowance (DCA) and carer’s benefit. Persons who are in receipt of both DCA and carer’s allowance receive one respite payment. In addition, some 5,000 carers not in receipt of a carer’s payment receive the grant.
The rate of the respite care grant has also increased significantly in the last ten years from €635 in 2002 to €1,700 in 2012. Expenditure on the grant has increased by 290% since 2005 from €34.3 million to €135 million in 2012.
While the respite care grant is an important income support for carers, respite services are provided by the HSE, not through income supports provided by the Department of Social Protection. A survey carried out in 2006 indicated that the respite care grant, in the majority of cases, is not used for respite care.
If a person getting a social welfare payment has a once-off exceptional expense which they cannot reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income, they may apply for an exceptional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
467. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications that have been received before the deadline to register retrospectively for home makers credits; her plans to review the situation and consider allowing further registration for credits for past years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1070/13]
View answerThe homemaker scheme makes qualification for the State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme was introduced in and took effect from 1994. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age or incapacitated adults to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes.
The homemaker disregard will not, of itself, qualify a person for a pension. The standard qualifying conditions, which require a person to enter insurance ten years before pension age, pay a minimum of 520 contributions at the correct rate and achieve a yearly average of at least 10 contributions on their record from the time they enter insurance until they reach pension age, must also be satisfied.
The conditions for this scheme are provided for in secondary legislation each year by way of regulation. This regulation allows for the extension of the time limit for applications. In this regard, Statutory Instrument No. 567 of 2012 was signed by me on 21 December 2012 to extend the registration deadline for applications from people who commenced homemaking duties between 6 April 1994 and 31 December 2012 to 31 December 2013. Therefore, the question regarding the consideration of allowing further registration of retrospective claims and the numbers of applications received before the deadline does not arise.
I have no plans to backdate the homemaker scheme. While my Department will keep this scheme under review, any improvements which could result in further costs for the Exchequer could only be considered in a budgetary context.
468. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has completed a JobBridge internship and who had previously started but not completed a JobBridge internship might be considered for a new placement under any circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1075/13]
View answerAll participants in JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, who have completed an internship or who have started but not completed an internship are eligible for a second placement. The Scheme provides for a maximum of two internships per individual over a combined period of 9 months (39 weeks). This is subject to all other eligibility criteria being met.
JobBridge is a targeted labour market activation intervention intended to assist jobseekers to break the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience, to provide those seeking employment with the opportunity to gain work experience, maintain close links with the labour market and to enhance their skills and competencies through an internship opportunity, thereby improving their prospects of securing employment in the future. The scheme gives individuals a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives. It is has been launched in this targeted way to ensure that it does not replace or displace the normal operation of the labour market, which is an essential element of Ireland’s economic recovery.
The JobBridge Scheme has made very significant progress in achieving those objectives since it came into operation on the 1st July 2011. By 27th December, 2012, 13,232 internships had commenced, with 5,612 participants on an internship and 2,083 opportunities advertised on www.JobBridge.ie as of that date.
The interim evaluation of JobBridge by Indecon International Economic Consultants (published on 5th October, 2012) states that 52.3% of JobBridge finishers progressed into employment with either their host organisation or another employer since finishing their internship. These progression rates compare favourably with European averages in this area. Given that, in the past, some labour market programmes have been seen as having insignificant or even negative impacts on employment probabilities, this suggests JobBridge is an appropriate labour market intervention.
Further information on outcomes will be ascertained as a result of the ongoing formal evaluation of JobBridge. It is anticipated that the final Report will be available in the coming weeks. This evaluation will assess the design, delivery and impact of the JobBridge Scheme, it will provide details of the nature of the work experience of the participants; a measurement of the relevance of that experience to the labour market, analysis of age categories and further findings concerning progression into employment. It will also present recommendations on how the Scheme might be improved. It is at this stage that further consideration will be given to amending the terms and conditions of the Scheme. Any such amendments to the scheme will be notified via the website.
470. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [1087/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 08th January 2013, 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 appeal against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
472. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1151/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 21st February 2012. The application is with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
473. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1153/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer decision.
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.
474. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1164/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 27th November 2012, 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 appeal against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
475. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against a decision to disallow an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1165/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 9th January 2013. 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.
476. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding jobseeker's allowance in respect of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1167/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeals by the persons concerned were referred to an Appeals Officer on 30th November 2012, who will make a summary decision on the appeals 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 appeal against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
477. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the condition for qualification for family income supplement that requires the applicant to work a minimum of 19 hours a week as, if companies choose to employ staff on short working weeks, those employees cannot earn sufficient income at work and at the same time cannot get any top up income from the State thereby leaving their families at greater risk of poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1180/13]
View answerThe family income supplement (FIS) payment provides income support for employees on low earnings with children. The payment is designed to preserve the financial incentive to take-up or remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might be marginally better off in employment than on social welfare payments.
To qualify for payment of FIS, a person must be engaged in full-time insurable employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria. The applicant must also have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is supported by them. Furthermore, the average family income must be below a specified amount which varies according to the number of qualified children in the family.
The “hours worked” eligibility criteria has been reduced significantly since the introduction of the scheme in 1984. The requirement was initially set at 30 hours per week but was progressively reduced to 19 hours per week in 1996.
I have no immediate plans to make any significant changes to the qualifying criteria for FIS. Further reducing the “hours worked” requirement could only be decided on in a budgetary context. More generally, I recognise that creating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that we face. It is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these issues and ensure that work is worthwhile. To this end, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare with the aim of harnessing expert opinion and experience in order to address a number of specific issues. These include making cost-effective proposals for improving employment incentives and achieving better poverty outcomes, particularly child poverty outcomes. In this regard the Group is currently examining the issue of working age supports, which includes consideration of in-work supports such as FIS.
478. Deputy Tom Fleming 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 Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1187/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 18th December 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.
