Written Answers Nos. 410 - 434
410. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for jobseeker's benefit; the number of applicants currently waiting for their jobseeker's benefit application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5226/13]
View answer411. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for jobseeker's allowance; the number of applicants are currently waiting for their jobseeker's allowance application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5227/13]
View answer415. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for one parent family payment; the number of applicants currently waiting for their one parent family payment application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5231/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 410, 411 and 415 together.
In 2012, a total of 432,557 claims for jobseeker’s allowance, jobseeker’s benefit and one-parent family payment were received in my Department’s Local Offices. At the 31 December 2012 there were 29,556 claims (6.8% of the total received) awaiting decision. A breakdown of the number of claims awaiting a decision by scheme together with the average waiting time from date of application to award in weeks is contained in the tabular statement. It is to be noted that both jobseekers allowance and one parent family payments are subject to an assessment of means and other qualifying conditions. Accordingly, processing times are longer than for jobseekers benefit which is a PRSI contributions based payment.
|
Scheme |
Pending Claims end of December 2012 |
Average Time to Award (Weeks) |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
18,464 |
4 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
7,723 |
2 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
3,369 |
14 |
412. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting time for an application for mortgage interest supplement; the number of applicants waiting for their mortgage interest supplement application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5228/13]
View answer418. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for rent supplement; the number of applicants currently waiting for their rent supplement application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5234/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 418 together.
There are currently approximately 88,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement and 14,400 in receipt of mortgage interest supplement, for which the Government has provided over €445 million in 2013. The timescale for determining applications for rent and mortgage interest supplements 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.
Statistics are not available on the length of time taken to assess rent and mortgage interest supplement applications or the number of applications awaiting a decision. However, the average time to award a claim under the various supplementary welfare allowance schemes, including rent and mortgage interest supplement, is one week. The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department’s staff dealing with rent and mortgage interest supplement applications. 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. I am satisfied that the Department’s staff dealing with these applications make every effort to ensure rent and mortgage interest supplement claims are processed in an efficient manner.
413. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for child benefit; the number of applicants currently waiting for their child benefit application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5229/13]
View answerApplications for Child Benefit may be processed under domestic legislation or EU legislation. There is no backlog in Child Benefit claim processing. The average processing time for claims made under domestic legislation is three weeks. At the end of December 2012, a total of 2,276 such claims were pending, of which 510 were awaiting further information from the customer. Claims processed under EU regulations are processed within six months on average. This is due to the need for correspondence with other EU countries, which can be slow. At the end of December 2012, a total of 2,033 EU claims were pending, of which 1,595 were awaiting further information from the customer or the other Member State institution.
414. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for family income supplement; the number of applicants currently waiting for their family income supplement application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5230/13]
View answerThe Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. FIS claims, both new and renewals received on or after 5 November 2012 are currently being processed on receipt. On 2 November 2012 there was a backlog of approximately 7,390 new (first-time) FIS claims and approximately 7,810 renewal claims awaiting processing and decision. As of today, all the backlogged renewal claims have been processed and there are currently approximately 6,380 new (first-time) FIS claims still awaiting approvals. It is expected that the backlog of new claims will be fully eliminated by the end of March 2013.
416. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for illness benefit; the number of applicants currently waiting for their illness benefit application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5232/13]
View answerThe average waiting time for illness benefit applications at week ending 28 January 2013 was less than five working days. There were 5,019 applications pending a decision on illness benefit at week ending 28 January 2013.
417. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for invalidity pension; the number of applicants currently waiting for their invalidity pension application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5233/13]
View answerThere are currently approximately 2,880 Invalidity Pension (IP) claims registered, actions and awaiting information to finalise a decision. This includes approximately 900 cases which are being investigated under EU regulations or bi-lateral agreements which are more complex and take longer to decide. A targeted plan was put in place to clear the backlog, which is steadily decreasing e.g. from 7,007 at end May 2012 to 4,561 at end of October 2012 and to 2,880 at the end of January 2013. All of the 2,880 claims have been actioned by my department and are awaiting further information from the customers or a medical assessment.
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. Once all the necessary information is received, the claim is processed promptly.
419. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting time for an application for redundancy payment; the number of applicants currently waiting for their redundancy payment application to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5235/13]
View answerThere are approximately 3,100 redundancy payment applications on hand awaiting processing at present. These include both rebate and lump sums claims. Where lump sum claims have been correctly submitted on-line, the processing target of 6 to 8 weeks is currently being achieved. There are some cases, however, where a query arose and the Department is waiting for additional information from the applicant or where there was an error on the application form, which fall outside of this processing target. The Department is currently processing correctly submitted on-line applications for rebate payments received in December 2012. There is an additional cohort of cases in respect of approximately 300 employers on hand for a longer period. In the main, these are very large scale cases which are put through additional checks and, therefore, take longer to process. However, every effort is being made to ensure that these claims are paid as quickly as possible.
420. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have now taken part in the jobbridge programme; the number of participants on the programme that have gone on to obtain full time employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5236/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors. It is targeted at individuals who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments (Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance) or are signing on for credits for at least 3 of the last 6 months (78 Days). The JobBridge Scheme has made significant progress to-date since it came into operation on 1 July, 2011. 14,149 internships had commenced by 31st January, 2013, with 5,565 participants on an internship and 1,909 opportunities advertised on www.JobBridge.ie on that date.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the feedback to date has been very positive. In particular, the interim evaluation of JobBridge conducted by Indecon International Economic Consultants (published on 5 October, 2012) states that 61% of JobBridge finishers progressed into employment with either their host organisation or another employer within 5 months of finishing their internship. These progression rates compare very 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 evaluation 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 and it is at that 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.
421. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make allowances on the means testing of properties that were inherited for qualifying payments. [5255/13]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides that the yearly value of “property owned but not personally used or enjoyed” is assessable for means testing purposes. Such property includes houses and premises which are owned by a claimant, including property which they have inherited, and which the claimant may or may not be putting to commercial use. However, it does not include property such as the home in which the claimant resides or, for example, a premises used by the claimant in carrying out a business.
For assessment purposes, the current market value of the property is established as well as the amount of any outstanding mortgages on that property. The balance (market value less outstanding mortgage) is assessed by reference to a formula. Where the current market value is less than the outstanding mortgage, no assessment is made. The current market value of a property is the best estimate of what would be achievable if the property was offered for sale. Such an estimate will have regard to reductions in prices over recent years. Given that background, I have no plans to change the assessment of property for the purposes of means tested social assistance schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection.
422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected monetary savings that are going to be achieved by the suspension of the State pension transition in view of the fact that most retirees will be forced to claim an alternative social welfare payment after they retire at the age of 65 years. [5262/13]
View answerSocial structures in Ireland are changing rapidly and social supports need to change to accommodate this. The decision to increase State pension age was taken in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives. The standardisation of State pension age to age 66 is one of the measures planned which aims to improve the sustainability of the Irish pension system. As provided for in legislation, State pension age will further increase to age 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. These changes were provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011. Estimates at that time indicated that the gross estimated savings in 2014 were expected to be in the region of €33 million with a full year savings in 2015 of approximately €65 million. These savings take into account claimants who would instead receive various other social welfare payments, including jobseeker benefits.
423. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a domiciliary care scheme review will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5264/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 July 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 14 December 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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.
424. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a one-parent family payment appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5265/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements have been made. 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.
425. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5266/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 January 2012. The case was referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration and the Appeals Officer has referred this case back to the Department of Social Protection for clarification on certain issues. On receipt of their response, the case will be further considered by the Appeals Officer. 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.
427. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan has had their appeal refused when the information was provided in terms of their means; if same will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5302/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 1 November 2012. Jobseeker’s Allowance is a means-tested payment. The person concerned failed to provide information/documentation which would allow for review of his means. If the person concerned has additional information, this may be submitted directly to the Department of Social Protection. 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.
428. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review/appeal in relation to an application for disability allowance will be considered in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5309/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 6 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 appeal in question 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.
429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect to an application for State contributory pension, if further investigation can be undertaken into the credit history in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will provide details of the exact contributions, year by year in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5319/13]
View answerTo be eligible for a state pension (contributory) from age 66, a person must:
- have entered insurable employment before reaching age 56
- have at least 520 paid contribution weeks since entry into insurance, from employment or self-employment
- have a yearly average of 48 paid/credited contributions from 1979 to the end of the last complete tax year prior to their 66th birthday, or
- have a yearly average of at least 10 paid and/or credited contributions recorded from 1953 or from his/her date of entry into insurable employment or self-employment (whichever is the later) to the end of the tax year preceding their 66th birthday.
The person concerned reached pension age, 66, on 7 April 2012. According to the records of the Department, she has a total of 303 full-rate paid contributions and 26 credited contributions from 1971 to 2012. She does not therefore satisfy the minimum paid contributions condition. Additionally, her overall record yields a yearly average of 8 only, which is insufficient to satisfy the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory). Accordingly her pension claim was disallowed and she was notified of this decision on 18 June 2012.
A social welfare inspector is currently investigating the employment of the person concerned from September 1968 to November 1970. The Department has no contributions recorded for this period. On completion of this investigation, if it is considered that additional contributions should be allocated to the person’s insurance record, her entitlement to the State pension (contributory) will be re-examined. However, it is unlikely that an additional three years’ contributions will be sufficient to enable the person concerned to qualify for a State pension (contributory). The person concerned has been advised that if she has had any additional insurable employment period(s) in Ireland not already notified that she wishes to bring to the Department’s attention, these will also be considered.
430. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [5322/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that he was not medically suitable for the allowance. An appeal was registered on 7 January 2013 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Deciding Officer on the matter raised in 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 of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
431. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans to open an INTREO office in Meath in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5353/13]
View answerThe Pathways to Work document states that the introduction of the new Intreo service is a multi-annual project. The first ten Intreo offices went live in 2012. The plans for 2013 are now being developed and the selection of offices will depend upon a range of factors including availability of suitable accommodation, I.T., etc. I will announce the names of the next phase of offices when the final selections have been made.
432. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, which has been pending for one year; when this appeal will be determined with particular reference to the length of time take to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5354/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has not been received by that office. 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.
433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing carer's allowance appeals; the average timeframe for appeals to be decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5359/13]
View answer434. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing jobseeker's allowance appeals; the average timeframe for appeals to be decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5360/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the current average time taken to process carer’s allowance appeals decided by summary decision is 33.2 weeks and 42.2 weeks for those requiring an oral hearing. The current average time taken to process jobseeker’s allowance appeals decided by summary decision is 21.5 weeks and 28.5 weeks for those requiring an oral hearing. These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation and include all activities during this period including time spent in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. A considerable period of time is added to the process when an oral hearing is required because of the logistics involved in this process.
Significant resources and efforts have been put into reducing backlogs and improving processing times for appellants, including the assignment of 15 additional Appeals Officers, improving business processes and implementing a new operating model.
- The Chief Appeals Officer expects to finalise 6,000 more cases in 2013 than in 2012 (There were 32,558 appeals finalised in 2012).
- There is a major programme of process redesign and modernisation currently underway in relation to many scheme areas which will reduce backlogs and will also reduce the time taken for the Department to respond to requests from the SWAO for submissions in relation to appeals.
- It is planned to recruit additional Medical Assessors in 2013.
All these measures together will reduce the waiting time for appellants. However, by its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial process, the processing of appeals takes time even at the best of times and reflects the fact that while every effort is made to deal with appeals as fast as possible this cannot be at the expense of fairness of due process.
