Written Answers Nos. 388-397
388. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an illness benefit will be paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7098/13]
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.
389. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a file from the invalidity pension section will be forwarded to the appeals office in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7099/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 8 February 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 appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
394. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, since January 2012, the decline in the numbers on community employment programmes; if she will further outline for the same period the decline in numbers on the special status drugs rehabilitation community employment programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7189/13]
View answerTable 1 outlines the number of participants on Community Employment, including the number on drug rehabilitation places, in the period January 2012 to January 2013.
Table 1: Monthly Breakdown of Participation on Community Employment
|
Year |
CE Overall Total |
Participation on Drug Rehabilitation Places |
|
2012 |
- |
- |
|
January |
23,716 |
824 |
|
February |
23,386 |
793 |
|
March |
23,219 |
853 |
|
April |
23,204 |
844 |
|
May |
23,185 |
818 |
|
June |
22,948 |
807 |
|
July |
22,865 |
789 |
|
August |
22,726 |
774 |
|
September |
22,636 |
753 |
|
October |
22,554 |
763 |
|
November |
22,492 |
816 |
|
December |
22,445 |
824 |
|
2013 |
- |
- |
|
January |
22,444 |
830 |
|
Change |
-1,272 |
+6 |
Overall Table 1 shows a decline of 1,272 participants on CE in the period January 2012 to January 2013. The number of participants on drug rehabilitation places, over the same period, shows a slight increase of seven.
The Department is committed to the full utilisation of CE places for 2013. An improved referral process for jobseekers and other eligible groups for CE is being put in place to ensure that available places are utilised.
The Department continues its commitment to getting people back to work as set out in the Programme for Government and the Pathways to Work documents. The overall number of places available under CE has been increased by 2,000 to 25,300 (including supervisors) in 2013 with a budget of circa €352 million. This additional allocation includes a priority been given to applicants who are referred to a CE drugs rehabilitation place. The take-up of CE places will be closely monitored. The Department is committed to reforming CE to ensure value for money, progression of the job seeker and support for community services.
396. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the total expenditure on child benefit in January 2013 as recorded in the January 2013 Exchequer Statement; and if she will provide the equivalent figure for January 2012. [7207/13]
View answerThe total expenditure amounts on child benefit were as follows:
|
Month |
€ |
|
January 2013 |
155,818,770 |
|
January 2012 |
166,187,714 |
These figures are provisional and subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
397. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the total PRSI receipts in January 2013, as recorded in the January 2013 Exchequer Statement; and if she will provide the equivalent figure for January 2012. [7208/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:
|
Year |
Exchequer Statement |
Social Insurance Fund |
|
- |
PRSI Receipts |
PRSI Receipts |
|
Jan 2013 |
€600,000,000 |
€605,000,000 |
|
Jan 2012 |
€622,000,000 |
€620,000,000 |
There may be marginal differences between PRSI receipts presented in the Exchequer Statement and the final amount received by the Social Insurance Fund as the Exchequer Statement is computed on the third last working day of each month and includes an estimate to month end.
