Written Answers Nos. 180-197
180. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for disability allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47664/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 30 October 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.
181. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a file will be released to the appeals office in order that an appeal can be decided upon in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will expedite an answer. [47720/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 7 November 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.
182. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 was not provided with enhanced redundancy when other persons employed on a similar basis were provided with same. [47727/13]
View answerThe individuals concerned were not employees of the Department. Therefore issues regarding redundancy payments are for their contractor/employer to address. However, where a contractor / employer is unable to pay statutory redundancy to employees it is open to them to avail of the Department’s redundancy and insolvency payments’ scheme, details of which are available on the Department’s website.
184. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for decisions on applications for partial capacity benefit. [47732/13]
View answerThe partial capacity benefit scheme which was launched in February 2012 allows people with restricted capacity to avail of employment opportunities while still in receipt of an income support. The scheme is open to people who: (a) have been in receipt of illness benefit for a minimum of six months; or (b) are in receipt of invalidity pension.
The process of claiming partial capacity benefit involves the submission and consideration of comprehensive medical evidence in relation to the application by a Departmental Medical Assessor. Following on from this, where a Deciding Officer is putting a PCB claim into payment, they liaise with the customer in order to put the PCB claim into payment on a date to coincide with the start date of the customer’s employment, which can result in longer decision times for partial capacity benefit claims in certain cases.
The average decision time for partial capacity benefit claims is currently 10 weeks.
186. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is any discretionary funding available for a community employment scheme that has recently been faced with unforeseen additional costs of €500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47735/13]
View answerThere is no provision for a discretionary fund within the Community Employment Programme. Depending on the nature of the expenditure incurred it is suggested that the scheme sponsor in question should raise this matter with the DSP Officer who deals with their scheme. The Officer can then assess the situation within the rules of the programme.
187. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide information as to whether or not an entrepreneurial fund for a community employment scheme exists; if so, the way this fund may be applied for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47736/13]
View answerThe Community Employment Programme is an active labour market programme to support long-term unemployed people re-enter the workforce, it is the largest active labour market intervention in Ireland. The aim of Community Employment (CE) is to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities within their communities. Community and voluntary organisations sponsor local/community projects that satisfy two essential criteria - that they respond to an identified community need, and that they provide training/development opportunities for participants. There is no entrepreneurial fund available under CE. The Deputy is asked to refer to the Enterprise Boards and Local Development Companies who may have a range of supports available depending on the feasibility of the proposal submitted.
188. 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. [47737/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 4 April 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 25 July 2013 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 8 August 2013. The Appeals Officer subsequently requested clarification on certain issues from the Department of Social Protection.
This clarification has now been received and the Appeals Officer 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.
189. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a date for their oral hearing on a social welfare appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47741/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision and without recourse to an oral hearing. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 8 October 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
190. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47855/13]
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 13 November 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
191. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a claim for farm assist will be dealt with in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47864/13]
View answerThe farm assist file for the person concerned has been forwarded to a Deciding Officer for decision. A decision will be made shortly and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
192. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47899/13]
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.
193. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a carer's allowance overpayment appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47901/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 2 September 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 Deputy’s representations on this matter will be included with the documentary evidence when it is being forwarded to the Appeals Officer.
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.
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; when this application will be finalised and processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47932/13]
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.
195. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47952/13]
View answer225. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48286/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 225 together.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to partially 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.
