Written Answers Nos. 114-120
114. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal on an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39960/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 September 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
115. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any assistance available for persons wishing to emigrate but do not have the financial means to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39965/13]
View answerIn general no financial assistance is available to people wishing to emigrate. In certain circumstances young people may be able to benefit from the ‘Your first EURES job’ programme created by European Commission. Information in this regard is provided later in the reply. The International Employment Services section of the Department of Social Protection is part of EURES - European Employment Services Network established by the European Commission to assist the free movement of workers between the EU/ EEA countries.
EURES is a network of more than 800+ EURES advisers (experts in transnational recruitment) which helps jobseekers find work throughout Europe and provides employment information, advice and recruitment services in all EU/ EEA countries. Ireland has 17 specially trained DSP EURES Advisers. The main areas of their responsibility are Placement, Advice and Counselling to Irish or Irish based job seekers who wish to work in the Member States of the EU/EEA and to provide an international recruitment service to Irish and European employers. ‘Your first EURES job’ is a targeted job mobility initiative to help young people aged 18-30 to find work abroad by offering financial contribution to the travel and subsistence costs of an interview trip and/or of moving to another EU country to take up duty. Under the eligibility criteria being met, a jobseeker can apply for an interview grant (€300), a relocation grant (€600 - €1200 depending on country of destination) and an integration programme/training grant. More information on www.eures.europa.eu
116. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their carer's allowance appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39969/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration on 8 August 2013. The Appeals Officer referred the case back to the Deciding Officer seeking clarification on certain issues. The case has now been referred back to the Appeals Officer on 12 September 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
117. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal of social welfare payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40070/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 10 October 2013. The person concerned will shortly be 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.
118. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40090/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5July 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 these have been received from the Department, the case 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
119. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40096/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 29 July 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 these have been received from the Department, the case 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
120. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for disability allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40106/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
