Dan Neville
Question:96. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseeker's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [14465/14]
View answerJobseeker's Allowance Applications
Questions (96)
Written answers
Applicants for a range of social assistance payments must satisfy the condition of being habitually resident in Ireland and they must also satisfy a means test.
The jobseeker’s allowance application of the person concerned is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. The Inspector has made several attempts to meet with the person concerned but has been unable to do so. Once the person makes themselves available for interview a decision on the application can be made.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (97)
Bernard Durkan
Question:97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will accept an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14496/14]
View answerWritten answers
Following a review of his continued entitlement to disability allowance the person concerned was notified on 5 March 2013 that he was no longer considered medically suitable and that his payment would cease on 20 March 2013.
A review of this decision was carried out by a Deciding Officer of the Department who decided that there was no change to the original decision to disallow disability allowance and the person concerned was notified of this decision on 28 June 2013 and was advised of his right to appeal that decision.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there is no trace of any appeal of that decision having been received from the person concerned. The appeals office has also advised that, despite an extensive search of its records, there is no evidence of any communication relating to an appeal having issued to the person concerned at either of the addresses mentioned by the Deputy.
Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations require that appeals against formal statutory decisions made by a Deciding Officer be lodged within 21 days of that decision being notified. While there is provision, within reason, for acceptance of late appeals with the approval of the Chief Appeals Officer, it is not considered that this is an appropriate case for acceptance of a late appeal. However, if the Deputy can provide any evidence relating to the correspondence from the appeals office, which he states was sent to the wrong address, the matter will be investigated further.
As previously advised to the Deputy (replies to representations on 5 and 19 February 2014 refer) it is open to the person concerned to make a new application for disability allowance to the Department and to have the matter determined afresh in light of any changed circumstances.
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.
Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Appeals
Questions (98)
Pat Breen
Question:98. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a partial capacity benefit appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14499/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at an oral hearing, has decided to partially allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 25 March 2014.
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.
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Questions (99)
Paul Connaughton
Question:99. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons on community employment schemes cannot avail of a widower's pension, when if they were in other employment, they would be allowed to also receive their widower's pension; if exceptions can be made to this and if so, under what circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14503/14]
View answerWritten answers
Persons on Community Employment (CE) schemes cannot avail of widower's pension while simultaneously receiving CE payments as this constitutes a double payment of allowances, which is prohibited under social welfare legislation.
Under Section 12 of the Social Welfare Act 2011, a person is disqualified from receiving certain social welfare payments when commencing participation on CE on or after 16 January 2012. This disqualification does not apply to employment outside of CE.
Persons who were already engaged on CE, at the time this measure was introduced, can retain their widows/widowers pension until they have either exhausted their time on CE, or reached retirement age, or reached the final cut-off date (31 December 2014) for the receipt of simultaneous payment of CE allowances and their original social welfare payment, whichever occurs first.
The following revised reply was received on 1 December 2014:
Persons on Community Employment (CE) schemes cannot avail of widower's pension while simultaneously receiving CE payments as this constitutes a double payment of allowances, which is prohibited under social welfare legislation.
Under Section 12 of the Social Welfare Act 2011, a person is disqualified from receiving certain social welfare payments when commencing participation on CE on or after 16 January 2012. This disqualification does not apply to employment outside of CE.
Persons who were already engaged on CE at the time this measure was introduced can retain their widows/widowers pension until they have either exhausted their time on CE, or reached retirement age, or reached the final cut-off date (31 December 2014) for the receipt of simultaneous payment of CE allowances and their original social welfare payment, whichever occurs first.
Note: The last sentence should read “Persons who were already engaged on CE at the time this measure was introduced can retain their widows/widowers pension until they have either exhausted their time on CE, or reached retirement age, whichever occurs first.”
National Internship Scheme Eligibility
Questions (100)
John Halligan
Question:100. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to revise the criteria for eligibility to make an application for internships; her views on whether adults currently dependent on their partners' claims and who are not permitted to take up internships would like to be permitted to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14507/14]
View answerWritten answers
As at 13th March 2014, 26,874 JobBridge internship placements have commenced with 6,602 participants currently undertaking internships and over 1,908 internship posts available on the JobBridge website www.jobbridge.ie.
Independent research indicates that over 60% of interns progress into paid employment within five months of completing their internship. These progression outcomes compare very favourably with European averages in this area.
Participation on JobBridge requires an applicant to have a live qualifying claim in their own right and to have accumulated three months (78 days) in the previous six months on an eligible claim (Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, or signing for credits).
The eligibility criteria for the JobBridge scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register. JobBridge is targeting scarce exchequer resources in a balanced and effective way to meet the needs of unemployed individuals.
Qualified adults may participate in JobBridge provided they establish a jobseeker's claim in their own right and comply with the eligibility criteria as set out above.
Social Welfare Fraud Investigations
Questions (101)
Michael McCarthy
Question:101. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which allegations of social welfare fraud are investigated; and the penalties in place to deal with frivolous and malicious complaints against persons for alleged social welfare fraud. [14534/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Social Protection receives reports of possible fraud from members of the public in relation to the operation of its schemes through various channels, including a dedicated phone number and a facility on the Department’s website for this purpose.
As these reports are, in the main, received anonymously, the Department has no way of knowing who made the report. However, it is important to note that a social welfare payment is never suspended or stopped on the basis of an anonymous report.
All anonymous or confidential reports are examined and, where relevant, are referred to the Department’s scheme areas and/or to inspectors for follow-up action as required.
Anonymous reports are not available to Deciding Officers when they are making their decisions on cases. The Deciding Officer’s decision must be based on the full facts and circumstances of the case. There is no system of reward or penalties in place in the context of the anonymous reports received by the Department.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Applications
Questions (102)
Michael Ring
Question:102. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the decision that was made on assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14538/14]
View answerWritten answers
A Reviewing Officer has reviewed the supplementary welfare allowance claim of the person concerned. A payment will be issued shortly.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (103)
Noel Coonan
Question:103. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a 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. [14541/14]
View answerWritten answers
I 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 an Oral Hearing. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 19 March 2014.
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.
Question No. 104 withdrawn.