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Wednesday, 13 Feb 2013

Written Answers Nos. 121-128

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (121)

Tom Fleming

Question:

121. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7666/13]

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Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17th 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 appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (122)

James Bannon

Question:

122. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7671/13]

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Written answers

The 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 on 18th February 2013. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.

Pension Provisions

Questions (123)

James Bannon

Question:

123. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a pre-retirement pension ceased in April 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7674/13]

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Written answers

The person concerned was in receipt of Pre-Retirement Allowance (PRETA) and her payment inadvertently stopped in April 2011. She was issued a yearly review form in order to establish if there was any change in her circumstances and she returned the form, as requested, in March 2011. However, due to a clerical error, it was not updated on her computer record and as a result her payment stopped on 5 April 2011.

No further contact was received from her until 23 January 2013 when a phone call was received to clarify the reason why her entitlement to PRETA had ceased.

As a result of the phone enquiry, a Social Welfare Inspector made a home visit to the customer. In order to determine her entitlement to PRETA, she was requested to furnish a number of documents. To date, the documents have not yet been received. When the documents are provided, the Inspector will complete a report and the file will be returned to the Local Office where a deciding officer will issue a determination.

Consideration will be given to restoring her payment back to April 2011 based on the information she has been asked to supply to the Social Welfare Inspector.

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Questions (124)

James Bannon

Question:

124. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason jobseeker's allowance was withdrawn without prior notification in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7676/13]

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Written answers

The person concerned was in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance up to 1st January, 2013 at the weekly rate of €203.00. His entitlement was reviewed and he was requested by the Social Welfare Inspector to furnish documentation in support of his continuing entitlement. As he failed to furnish documentation, his payment was suspended.

He will need to provide the outstanding information in order to have his payment re-instated.

Social Insurance Payments

Questions (125)

James Bannon

Question:

125. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a reduction in a PRSI contribution in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7677/13]

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Written answers

Income received by participants of certain FAS courses including Community Employment is treated, for the purposes of charging PRSI, in the same manner as earnings from employment. This means that participants of such FAS courses can gain entitlement to social insurance benefits, including short-term benefits such as Jobseekers and Illness Benefit, in the same way as private sector employees.

As part of Budget 2013, the €127 PRSI-free allowance which applies to employees paying PRSI Classes A, E and H, was abolished. For those earning in excess of €352 per week and paying PRSI at 4%, this increases the amount of PRSI payable by €5.08 per week. This also affects participants of certain FAS courses whose income is treated as earnings for PRSI purposes, in the same manner as it impacts the earnings of employees.

There is no provision for reduction of the PRSI liability on earnings, or income which is treated in an analogous way, on hardship grounds.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Questions (126)

James Bannon

Question:

126. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7678/13]

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Written answers

Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.

This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 26 October 2012. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of his claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 28 January 2013.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (127)

James Bannon

Question:

127. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal which was submitted in early November in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7679/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 07th 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.

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (128)

James Bannon

Question:

128. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a disability allowance has been reduced from €100 to €35.30 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7680/13]

View answer

Written answers

Following a review of the person’s disability allowance claim, it was found that his weekly means had increased since his last means assessment.

The person concerned was assessed with earnings from his spouse’s employment. When this means was assessed he was entitled to a reduced rate of disability allowance and he was notified of this decision in writing on 29 January 2013.

If the person’s circumstances have changed, it is open to him to submit any further relevant information and the decision will be reviewed.

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