Written Answers Nos. 221-32
221. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she or her Department have statistics for nurses who are unemployed; if she will provide a breakdown on a regional basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20020/14]
View answerThe total number of persons on the live register at the end of April 2013 was 388,559; of this total, 9,396 had health related occupations. The number of nurses is not separately identified within this total and consequently, the number of nurses on the live register is not available in my Department. A tabular statement detailing the number of registrants in health related occupations on the live register by county follows for the Deputy's information.
Health related occupations on the live register April 2014
|
County |
Health and Related Occupations |
Health Associate Professionals |
Health Professionals |
Total |
|
Carlow |
53 |
35 |
84 |
172 |
|
Cavan |
60 |
47 |
57 |
164 |
|
Clare |
84 |
57 |
83 |
224 |
|
Cork |
264 |
192 |
282 |
738 |
|
Donegal |
258 |
132 |
82 |
472 |
|
Dublin |
737 |
480 |
725 |
1,942 |
|
Galway |
270 |
128 |
241 |
639 |
|
Kerry |
216 |
114 |
109 |
439 |
|
Kildare |
128 |
72 |
96 |
296 |
|
Kilkenny |
77 |
36 |
90 |
203 |
|
Laois |
80 |
43 |
71 |
194 |
|
Leitrim |
52 |
25 |
29 |
106 |
|
Limerick |
198 |
148 |
84 |
430 |
|
Longford |
88 |
24 |
29 |
141 |
|
Louth |
167 |
108 |
148 |
423 |
|
Mayo |
134 |
86 |
128 |
348 |
|
Meath |
145 |
48 |
63 |
256 |
|
Monaghan |
62 |
29 |
58 |
149 |
|
Offaly |
99 |
30 |
74 |
203 |
|
Roscommon |
32 |
54 |
19 |
105 |
|
Sligo |
66 |
66 |
65 |
197 |
|
Tipperary |
167 |
89 |
100 |
356 |
|
Waterford |
138 |
41 |
140 |
319 |
|
Westmeath |
85 |
44 |
115 |
244 |
|
Wexford |
134 |
102 |
122 |
358 |
|
Wicklow |
96 |
45 |
137 |
278 |
|
Grand Total |
3,890 |
2,275 |
3,231 |
9,396 |
222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for social welfare assistance such as illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20029/14]
View answerThe person concerned was previously self-employed and paying PRSI contributions at class S. Class S contributions are not reckonable for illness benefit purposes. Only PRSI contributions paid at classes A, E, H and P count towards eligibility for illness benefit. A person who does not qualify for illness benefit may apply for disability allowance or supplementary welfare allowance, subject to the qualifying conditions for these schemes.
223. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20039/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 December 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 16 April 2014 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.
224. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on an appeal will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [20063/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 15 April 2014, 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.
225. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20069/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 30 April 2014, 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.
229. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of invalidity pension applications that are submitted for appeal annually; the percentage success rate of those appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20076/14]
View answerThe figures requested by the Deputy relating to Invalidity Pension appeals received and finalised during 2013 and to the end of April 2014, are provided in the table.
A total of 4,501 invalidity pension appeals were received during 2013. A total of 6,968 invalidity pension appeals were finalised during that year. 80.4% of the appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant. 32.2% of the invalidity pension appeals which were finalised during 2013 were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed Deciding Officers of my Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. During the first 4 months of 2014 a total of 1,149 invalidity pension appeals were received and 1,519 invalidity pension appeals were finalised. 77.6% of the appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant and 19% of the cases finalised were revised decisions of Deciding Officers.
The decisions which were revised following a review by a Deciding Officer of my Department arose as a result, in many cases, of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the original decision on his /her claim had been made. In such cases an Appeals Officer decision was not necessary.
Invalidity Pension Appeal Receipts and Outcomes 2013 - 2014 (to 30/4/2014)
|
Invalidity Pension Appeal Receipts and Outcomes 2013 – 2014 (to 30/4/2014) |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Appeal Receipts |
4,501 |
1,149 |
|
Appeals Finalised |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Revised Decisions by Deciding Officers |
2,243 |
289 |
|
Appeals Decided by Appeals Officers - Allowed |
3,336 |
883 |
|
- Partially Allowed |
18 |
7 |
|
- Disallowed |
1,311 |
327 |
|
Withdrawn |
60 |
13 |
|
Total Finalised |
6,968 |
1,519 |
1. Invalidity Pension appeals with successful outcomes for appellant = Revised DO decisions + Appeals Allowed and Partially Allowed by Appeals Officers (1+2+3)
2. Invalidity Pension appeals decided by Appeals Officers = Allowed + Partially Allowed + Disallowed (2+3+4).
3. Total Invalidity Pension appeals finalised - Revised DO Decisions + Appeals Decided by Appeals Officers + Appeals withdrawn (1+2+3+4+5).
230. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an invalidity pension appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20079/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 April 2014, 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.
