Written Answers Nos. 340 - 358
340. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for basic supplementary welfare in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24, when this appeal will be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2525/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 16th 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.
342. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [2539/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28th June 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 17th December 2012 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.
344. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a child benefit appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2553/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th November 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 10th December 2012 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.
346. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for invalidity pension that are currently waiting to be processed; the timescale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2556/13]
View answerAt present, approximately 220 new invalidity pension claims are received in the Department each week and these are examined and decided where all information is available within a few days of receipt. Where a medical assessment and/or further information are required, these are requested without delay.
Additional temporary staff was assigned to the invalidity pension area in an effort to deal with the backlog and it has been reducing steadily since June 2012. The number of invalidity pension claims awaiting action and decision at the end of May 2012 was 7007 – this has reduced to 4561 at the end of October 2012 and to 3662 at the end of December 2012.
Presently all of these claims have been actioned by my department and are awaiting further information from the customers or a medical assessment. It should also be noted that this number includes approximately 900 claims which are being assessed under EU and/or bi-lateral arrangements and that such claims are more complex and take longer to decide.
Once all the necessary information is received, the claim will be processed promptly.
347. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for carer's allowance that are currently waiting to be processed; the timescale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2557/13]
View answerWhile the time taken at present to process some carer’s allowance claims is not satisfactory, good inroads have been made over the last number of months by my Department to clear the current backlog and a plan is in place to process the remaining backlogged claims by the end of Q1 2013. I am happy that the actions they are taking will achieve this.
The number of applications awaiting decision for carer's allowance at the end of December 2012 was approx. 8,550. The number of applications which were awaiting decision in mid-June 2012 was 11,600.
Following the completion of a major service delivery modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement (BPI) project was completed for the carer’s allowance scheme. This project focused on optimising output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two streams. From Monday 3 September 2012, one team concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processes these without delay and the other team is working on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear and targeted plan for its elimination. Additional resources have been allocation to this task and the claim clearance plan is continually monitored in order that the backlog is eliminated in the shortest possible timeframe.
348. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give an assurance that the age of retirement will not be increased to 67 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2559/13]
View answerThere is no statutory retirement age in Ireland. Age of retirement is determined by the employment contract.
Changes in demographics and increasing longevity as well as a need to ensure the sustainability of pensions into the future has been a key focus of pensions policy. This is compounded by the wider need for sustainable public finances.
As provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 State pension age will be standardised at 66 years. This will result in the State pension (transition) which applies for one year for persons at age 65 ceasing from 2014. Thereafter, State pension age will increase to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028.
The changes to the age at which people qualify for the State pension now and in the future are essential reform measures if we are to continue to provide the financial support that people expect in retirement. The central objective is to reform the system of social protection so that it is viable into the future and the pension reform measures underway address some of these issues.
The Department of Social Protection will always continue to provide the normal supports to those who can’t, for whatever reason, continue working or find themselves in financial difficulty. For those with an income need social welfare schemes will continue to be available, for those who fulfil the eligibility criteria.
Longer working will be a key feature of future pensions systems worldwide and Ireland is no different. I have asked the OECD to examine current pension policy in light of the economic downturn and to ensure that it meets the needs of future generations and I expect to receive that report in the near future.
349. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment of carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2562/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 28th November 2011. The person concerned was refused carer’s allowance on the ground that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of this decision and the reason for it.
The person in question requested a review of this decision and submitted additional medical evidence in support of the application on the 25th of October and on the 7th November 2012. This supplementary information has now been examined by a medical assessor and the application is currently with a deciding officer for a decision. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
350. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2569/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 6th 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.
355. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when the additional 2,000 community employment scheme places announced in budget 2013 will be rolled out; and which sectors will be given priority. [2606/13]
View answerAn additional 2,000 places were allocated to Community Employment in the Budget of 2013. The increase in the number of places will be funded from the budget of the Department. These places will be approved on a phased basis from the end of January to December, 2013. The additional places are critical to the continued improvement of CE as outlined in the CE Financial Review of Schemes undertaken by this Department in 2012.
The allocation of places will be informed by the population of long-term unemployed persons in each area, the number of claimants on Jobseekers Allowance, One Parent Family Payment and People with a Disability in receipt of welfare payments for 52 weeks or more. Priority will be given to (a) schemes involved in community childcare services, social and healthcare services and drug rehabilitation services that offer training and development opportunities and work experience to CE participants and (b) those schemes with a clear track record in the development and progression of participants towards employment.
356. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2648/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 2nd April 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 12th December 2012 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.
358. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on jobseeker's allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2651/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed 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.
