Written Answers Nos. 129-136
129. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused mortgage interest supplement; if she will expedite a decision on this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15837/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 28th 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.
131. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15862/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15th January 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by 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.
132. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of 18 to 24 year olds currently active on the JobBridge scheme; the impact an increase of €50 a week would have on her Department's budget and if there is any plan to rationalise JobBridge payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15871/13]
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 (Jobseeker's Allowance/Jobseeker's Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance) or are signing on for credits for at least 3 of the last 6 months (78 Days).
15,767 internships have commenced as at 21st March 2013 with 5,919 participants on an internship and 2,427 internship opportunities advertised on www.jobbridge.ie as of that date. 4,481 of the internships that have commenced to date have been with jobseekers under the age of 25. Of the 5,919 participants currently on the Scheme, 1,626 of these are under the age of 25.
In relation to scheme costs, the additional cost element relates to the payment of the social welfare top-up payment of €50 per week to individuals while they are on their internship. If this were to be increased by a further €50 a week, this would represent an increase of approximately €11.7 million on the Department’s budget for this year. This figure is based on the commencement date of this increase being the 1st April 2013 and for the remaining 39 weeks of the year by an estimated 6,000 participating interns in line with the calculation below:
6,000 (participants) x €50 (extra per week) x 39 (weeks) = €11.7 Million.
133. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24. [15874/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 1st March 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.
134. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide details of the background to an overpayment to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the amount of this payment which has been paid off; the reason deductions ceased; and if she will ensure her Department makes a more reasonable proposal to this person to recoup the outstanding amount. [15877/13]
View answerThe person concerned was previously notified in writing that a deciding officer had determined that he was over paid on his invalidity pension, jobseeker's benefit and national fuel allowance claims.
The overpayment amounted to €11,982.80, of which €2,097.10 has been recovered to date, leaving a balance due of €9,885.70.
Deductions stopped when the person’s jobseeker's allowance payment ceased on 30 October 2012. On 20 August 2012 the person was awarded disability allowance with effect from 11 July 2012.
The person was notified that the Department intends to recover the outstanding debt by means of weekly deductions from his disability allowance payment of €28.20 and he was asked for his comments on the recovery proposal.
The person has been in contact with the Overpayment and Debt Management Unit in Longford on the matter and his case will be reviewed to ensure a fair and reasonable amount is being deducted having regard to the amount outstanding and the income of the person in question.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when invalidity pension will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, currently on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15898/13]
View answerInvalidity 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 2 November 2012. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of his claim was examined by one of the Department’s medical assessors and a deciding officer decided that the person was not entitled to invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical condition. The applicant was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 12 December 2012.
The person concerned subsequently submitted further medical evidence in support of his claim and requested that a deciding officer review his claim. This evidence has been referred to medical assessor for an up-dated opinion. On receipt of the medical assessor’s opinion, a deciding officer will review the application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome. If he is still not satisfied with the decision, he will have the right of appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
