Written Answers Nos. 197-213
199. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection when a determination will be made on an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47986/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20th August 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.
200. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a review of a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47989/13]
View answerFurther to my response to Parliamentary Question Ref. No. 43715/13 on 16th October 2013, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that in light of the additional information submitted the appeal of the person concerned was referred to the Appeals Officer who made the original appeal decision in this case.
I understand that the Appeals Officer has reviewed the appeal of the person concerned and has determined that a revision of his original decision is not warranted. Accordingly, the Appeals Officers decision of 17th September 2013 stands.
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.
201. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if letters were sent out by her Department to applicants on jobseeker's allowance requesting their CVs to apply for positions available for qualified tradespeople in Canada; and the action she will take regarding same. [47996/13]
View answerAt the request of the provincial Government of British Columbia in Canada and the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA), the Department agreed to publicise construction related vacancies on their behalf. The positions included architects, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders and other construction related occupations.
The Department wrote to more than 2,500 jobseekers in Ireland to inform them of the positions. Any such employment opportunities brought to the attention of jobseekers by the Department outside of Ireland are completely voluntary and people who do not avail of any such opportunities will not lose their social welfare entitlements here. This position is reflected in all communications with jobseekers.
202. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity pension appeal will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48001/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28th May 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 21st October 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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.
203. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their review for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48006/13]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 4th September 2013. The application was disallowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 2nd October 2013 advising of the decision.
The person concerned subsequently requested a review of the decision. The case was reviewed by another Medical Assessor on the 6th November 2013, who having examined all the information supplied, confirmed the opinion that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 7th November 2013 advising of the decision.
The person concerned has been advised of her right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days.
204. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office will issue a decision relating to the appeal submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48015/13]
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 convene an oral hearing in this case.
The hearing will be scheduled for week-commencing 02nd December 2013 and the person concerned will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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.
205. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a non-contributory pension review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [48020/13]
View answerEntitlement to the State pension (non-contributory) is subject to a means test. Items which count as means include cash income, including British pensions, the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home) and the value of any savings and investments.
The person concerned did not qualify for the State pension (non-contributory) as her means exceeded the current statutory limit. It should be noted that payment for a qualified adult on State pension (contributory) is also subject to a means test.
206. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in an invalidity payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48039/13]
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.
207. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding fuel allowance in respect of a persons (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if she will grant same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48106/13]
View answerEntitlement to fuel allowance is subject to a household income means test. In order to qualify for this allowance, in addition to an applicant being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare pension payment, s/he and any other members of their household must have a combined income not exceeding €100.00 per week, or savings/investments not exceeding €58,000.
According to the information available to the Department, the person concerned, in addition to their State pension (transition), has a gross weekly income in excess of €100.00, and is therefore not eligible to receive the allowance. The claim was disallowed accordingly, and the person concerned was notified of this decision on 18 February 2013.
208. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form for each year since 2003, the total cumulative amount in euro paid by her Department for non-audit services to companies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48115/13]
View answerNo amounts were paid to KPMG for non-audit services. The information in relation to the other companies is set out in the table:
|
Company |
Year |
€ |
|
PWC |
2003 |
101,650.00 |
|
- |
2005 |
65,975.54 |
|
- |
2006 |
214,559.63 |
|
- |
2007 |
10,100.00 |
|
- |
2008 |
4,776.00 |
|
- |
2011 |
40,873.50 |
|
- |
2012 |
20,600.00 |
|
- |
2013 |
6,180.00 |
|
Grant Thornton |
2008 |
153,466.12 |
|
- |
2009 |
1,000.00 |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
2009 |
10,479.78 |
|
- |
2010 |
8,671.46 |
|
- |
2011 |
5,933.94 |
|
- |
2012 |
23,175.00 |
|
- |
2013 |
234,111.79 |
|
Ernst & Young |
2003 |
545.42 |
|
- |
2008 |
100,193.42 |
|
- |
2009 |
82,215.00 |
|
- |
2010 |
101,573.06 |
|
- |
2011 |
127,286.14 |
|
- |
2012 |
7,623.00 |
|
- |
2013 |
24,008.44 |
209. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail, in tabular form for each year since 2003, the total cumulative amount in euro paid by her Department to companies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48136/13]
View answerThe information requested is set out below. There were no amounts paid to Mason, Hayes & Curran or William Fry Solicitors.
|
Company |
Year |
Amounts Paid |
|
€ |
||
|
2005 |
2,807.20 |
|
|
2010 |
6,597.96 |
|
|
Arthur Cox |
2012 |
3,703.28 |
|
2004 |
1,212.00 |
|
|
2005 |
8,558.48 |
|
|
2007 |
26,630.68 |
|
|
2008 |
2,895.98 |
|
|
2009 |
74,140.83 |
|
|
Matheson |
2010 |
3,959.16 |
|
A&L Goodbody |
2003 |
514.25 |
|
2004 |
2,878.84 |
|
|
2005 |
18,439.82 |
|
|
2006 |
90,683.74 |
|
|
2009 |
27,283.20 |
|
|
McCann Fitzgerald |
2004 |
600 |
|
2007 |
33,192.44 |
|
|
2008 |
3,059.40 |
|
|
2009 |
3,752.13 |
|
|
2010 |
1,670.55 |
210. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form for each year since 2003, the total cumulative amount in euro paid by her Department to senior counsel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48158/13]
View answerThere are no records of payments to Senior Counsel by my Department during the period in question. The Office of the Attorney General is responsible for discharging fees in respect of Counsel who are retained by that Office to act for the Department.
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum rent in respect of which rent support is payable, applicable to the house in question given the tenancy of two adults only (details supplied) in County Kildare; the exact amount of rent support approved in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48180/13]
View answerAs previously outlined to the Deputy, the maximum entitlement to rent supplement is in payment to the customer. The rent limits were revised in June 2013 which set the maximum rate payable to this person based on their circumstance and County of residence at €575 per month. Department records indicate that the rent currently payable by the person is now in excess of this revised limit and the case will be reviewed accordingly in due course. Department officials are happy to assist the Deputy with any further queries in relation to this case.
212. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect a decision on their farm assist payment appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48183/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned together with the relevant Departmental papers were received by that office on 07th October 2013 and that the case 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
213. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if myalgic encephalomyelitis is recognised by medical assessors in her Department as a debilitating disease for the purpose of various applications for disability allowance and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48185/13]
View answerMyalgic encephalomyelitis is accepted as a certifiable medical condition. Eligibility to illness related schemes is determined by the severity and expected duration of illnesses. All Departmental medical assessments for illness related schemes are conducted in accordance with the Department’s evidence based medical protocols and guidelines.
All medical evidence submitted is taken into consideration in assessing eligibility for the various illness related schemes.
