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Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Written Answers Nos. 127-135

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (127)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

127. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a carer's allowance application took 15 months to process and was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [25977/13]

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Written answers

The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. The waiting lists and processing times for carer’s allowance were unacceptable in 2012 but significant improvements have been made in the past year by my Department. The backlog of carer’s allowance applications has been eliminated and processing times have improved greatly, with new applications now being actioned on receipt and claims received in the last 6 months are now decided within 10 weeks.

In this particular case the department received applications for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 12th March 2012 in respect of two caree recipients. Due to the backlog of carer’s allowance applications at that time the case was only examined by a deciding officer in January 2013. The application was then sent to a social welfare investigative officer for assessment of the level of care being provided as the person concerned did not reside with the two care recipients. The report from the social welfare investigative officer was finalised on the 9th of May 2013. The deciding officer disallowed the application on the 14th of May 2013 on the grounds that full time care and attention were not being provided. A letter issued to the person concerned informing them of the decision, the reasons for it, and of her right of review or appeal.

Gender Recognition

Questions (128)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

128. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Social Protection when she will publish the heads of bill on the rights of transgender persons in order that it can go before the Oireachtas Education and Social Protection Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25991/13]

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Written answers

As I have indicated on a number of occasions I want the legislation to deal with the gender recognition advanced as quickly as possible. The issues involved are complex and have implications for other areas of Government. I realise also that this is a very sensitive area for those involved and people are naturally keen that the legislation be brought forward quickly. I understand that but I also have to have regard to the legal complexities involved in relation to some of the recommendations of the Gender Recognition Advisory Group (GRAG) relating to the marital and civil partnership status of individuals. The Department has been taking advice on this matter including talking to the various stakeholders involved.

I have requested the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection to consider the provisional draft Heads of Bill and, in that regard, officials from the Department will appear before the Committee in the near future. I feel that the Committee can make a very positive contribution to the preparation of the legislation and I believe that this approach should greatly assist the drafting of the legislation and its progress through the Oireachtas. When the Oireachtas Committee has discussed the provisional draft Heads of Bill, I will be in a better position to give a timeframe for the introduction of the legislation.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (129)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

129. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo and if it will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26002/13]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 16th May 2013. 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.

National Internship Scheme Eligibility

Questions (130)

Derek Nolan

Question:

130. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the JobBridge scheme to the not-for-profit sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26032/13]

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Written answers

JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, was launched on 1st July 2011. The Scheme has made very significant progress. As at 24th May 2013, 17,609 internships have commenced. There are currently 6,104 jobseekers undertaking internship opportunities. In addition, there are 2,218 internship opportunities available across a wide number of occupational sectors and geographic areas being hosted on the website. All these opportunities are advertised on the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie.

The Scheme is open to companies in the private, public and community and voluntary (not for profit) sectors. There has been significant take-up from the community and voluntary (not for profit) sectors with 1,656 placements in these sectors since the Scheme commenced in July 2011. I wish to advise that over 9% of all JobBridge placements to-date have been in the Community and Voluntary sectors.

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Questions (131)

Billy Timmins

Question:

131. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidly pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26057/13]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence has allowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the 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.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments

Questions (132)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

132. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 16 May 2013, if she considers it acceptable and fair that the person received a once off payment of €100 for the duration of the 12 weeks that they were hospitalised (details supplied); and if she will provide financial assistance considering the exceptional needs of this particular case. [26074/13]

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Written answers

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by designated officers in the Departments Community Welfare Service. The Minister has no function in relation to individual cases. Where persons are in need of once off assistance in relation to an exceptional need, they should contact their local Community Welfare Service to have their entitlement considered. As previously advised, the person in question received an exceptional needs payment of €100 to meet the cost of personal necessities associated with his hospital stay. In addition, arrangements were made to continue the payment of his rent supplement payment.

Question No. 133 withdrawn.
Question No. 134 answered with Question No. 41.

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (135)

James Bannon

Question:

135. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been refused jobseeker's allowance, which they are seeking to enable them to take up an apprenticeship in Germany, having regard to the fact that it is a precondition of his apprenticeship that he must be on jobseeker's allowance and despite the fact that he is eligible for both. [26171/13]

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Written answers

The person concerned submitted an application for Jobseeker’s allowance and was refused as his means from parental income exceeded the prescribed limits for receipt of this allowance. The person was notified of this decision and appealed same on 3 December, 2012. His case is currently with the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

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