Written Answers Nos. 98 - 105
99. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is determined as having an outstanding overpayment in regard to their income on leaving the Department of Social Protection; if she will provide the relevant details of all payments made to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49863/13]
View answerThe person concerned was employed in the Department from January 1990 until his dismissal from the Civil Service in February 2013. During his period of employment, the person received all income due to him by way of salary, allowances, etc.
During his service, overpayments arose from unauthorised absences on pension rate of pay, and annual leave being taken over and above what was due. Following each absence every effort was made to address the days for which the officer’s pay was affected and weekly deductions from salary were put in place to recover the amount owed to the exchequer.
At the time of his dismissal from the Civil Service the officer had an outstanding overpayment of €873.95. The Civil Service Superannuation Code provides, in cases involving financial loss to the Exchequer, that the amount of the loss – plus interest – is recouped by deduction from the benefits payable. The outstanding sum will be recovered from the preserved benefit entitlement, payable when the officer reaches age 60.
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when back to education allowance is due to go into payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49888/13]
View answerA back to education allowance is not due to go into payment in the case of the person concerned. The application for a back to education allowance of the person concerned was recently refused as she did not meet the current qualifying criteria. This decision was upheld following a review.
104. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49899/13]
View answer105. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49900/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 06th November 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.
