Tuesday, 4 Nov 2014

Written Answers Nos. 226-250

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Questions (226)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

226. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the rules in place that will apply to a person who was born in 1965 in relation to eligibility for the State pension (contributory) in terms of the age they will be eligible for the pension and the method by which their entitlement will be calculated; if averaging will apply as at present or the total number of contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41943/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) available at 65, thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years. State pension age will increase further to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028

Currently in order to qualify for the State pension (contributory), a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions which include:

- have entered insurance before the age of 66,

- have at least 520 paid contributions, and

- satisfy a yearly average (a yearly average of 48 contributions paid and/or credited is required for a full rate pension).

Qualification for a pension is calculated on an averaging system based on the PRSI contributions paid over a working life. The individual’s yearly average number of contributions determines the amount of pension paid. This is generally calculated from the date on which paid employment commenced to pension age, therefore it varies depending on each individual’s working life.

The average contributions test has been used in calculating pension entitlement since 1961 when contributory pensions were first introduced. The system was designed with a view to ensuring that people could qualify for contributory pensions immediately in that year rather than waiting for contributions to build up, and to suit a system where social insurance coverage was limited and people could move in and out of coverage as a result of the nature of their employment and/or their earnings. Since that time there have been significant reforms to the PRSI system, which have increased coverage to most classes of working people.

Under the pension reform programme, it is planned to replace this method of calculating pension entitlements with a ‘total contribution approach’. The level of pension paid will be directly proportionate to the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life. The OECD Review of the Irish Pension System which was published in April 2013 endorsed the move to a total rather than an average contributions test to determine entitlement to a State pension.

In considering the move to such a system, relevant factors were the opportunities that people now have to accumulate contributions as a result of the comprehensive nature of social insurance coverage which has been in place for 20 years, and the growth in the labour force over that period.

The proposed date for the introduction of a move to a total contributions approach is 2020, but this may be subject to change.

The precise details regarding effective date and, therefore, which current employees will have their State pension (contributory) calculated under existing or new rules, will be decided at a later date, but well in advance of the new system coming into effect.

Question No. 227 withdrawn.

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (228)

Clare Daly

Question:

228. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for social welfare supports including child benefit which were refused under the habitual residence condition since its introduction in 2004; in view of the Pavee Point report Roma Communities in Ireland and Child Protection Considerations which states that such refusals negatively impact on the health and well being of Traveller and Roma children, the number of these refusals which involved persons of minority Roma or Traveller ethnic status; her views on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41995/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The reason for the introduction of the habitual residence condition (HRC) in May 2004 was to ensure that people who have not worked in Ireland or who have not established habitual residence in Ireland should not avail of social assistance schemes or child benefit.

HRC Statistics are only available from 2010. Separate statistics for the Traveller and Roma communities are not available.

The table gives the numbers of customers who have been disallowed from 2010 to 2013 inclusive.

	2013**	2012	2011	2010*
Irish	264	428	455	650
EEA/Non EEA	2580	2389	4039	5256
Total	2844	2817	4494	5906

*Please note that figures for 2010 are incomplete due to industrial action when figures were not collected for a number of months.

**Please note that figures for 2013 do not include Carer's Allowance scheme.

The HRC is operated in a careful manner to ensure that Ireland's social welfare system is protected, while at the same time ensuring that people whose cases are appropriate to the system have access to it when they need it. Each case received for a determination on the HRC is dealt with in its own right and a decision is based on application of the legislation and guidelines to the particular individual circumstances of each case.

The Habitual Residence Guideline is continually revised to take account of recent developments in case-law, both national and international, and to reflect the Department’s interpretation of the legal provisions that impact on the HRC.

If claimants are not satisfied with the decision they are always advised they have the right of review and/or the right of appeal.

The Department processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and it makes payments to over one million people every week. It’s important to emphasise that the staff in this Department are very conscious of their obligations to claimants and every effort is made to ensure people receive the entitlements due to them.

Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme

Questions (229)

Finian McGrath

Question:

229. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish airlines superannuation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42012/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I am very aware of the development in the IAS scheme and of the very significant efforts being made to find a sustainable solution to the issues arising in this scheme. However, it would not be appropriate to comment on matters arising in a particular pension scheme as these are matters for the employer and the trustee of the pension scheme

The Pensions Act provides a framework for the regulation and supervision of occupational pension schemes. A number of changes have been made to the Pensions Act in recent years to assist employers and trustees respond to the funding difficulties encountered by many pension schemes. As you are aware the Pensions Act was amended in 2009 and again in 2013 to broaden the options available to trustees of pension scheme in the context of a restructure of scheme benefits. These changes provided for the sharing of the risk of underfunding in a scheme across all scheme members. The manner in which these options are exercised is a matter for the trustees of a scheme who are required under trust law to act in the best interest of scheme members and beneficiaries.

I can certainly appreciate the difficulties presented to all stakeholders in addressing the significant deficit in this scheme and the desirability to achieve a sustainable pension solution for all members and beneficiaries. It is not planned to bring forward further changes to the Pensions Act at this time.

Irish Water Administration

Questions (230)

Paul Murphy

Question:

230. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an agreement exists between her Department and Irish Water for the use of PPS numbers by Irish Water as outlined in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 which governs the use of PPS numbers by specified bodies; if such an agreement is in place, the date this was agreed and the measures that were taken to ensure that Irish Water would use the PPS numbers in a proportionate and necessary manner; and if no agreement exists, if she will outline the statutory basis for the collection and processing of PPS numbers which is taking place by Irish Water. [42013/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The legal basis of the PPS Number and its use is contained in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). Only bodies specified in statute or their agents can use the PPS Number. Section 262 of the Act allows the PPS Number to be used by a specified body in certain limited ways in the course of a “transaction” with a member of the public. The section requires that the service being supplied must relate to a “natural person" i.e. not a private function by a private company.

Persons are required by section 262 to provide their PPS Numbers to Specified Bodies for the purpose of a "transaction".

The section also allows the Minister for Social Protection to share a person’s public service identity (including their PPS Number) with a Specified Body for authentication purposes. Accordingly, as both the Minister for Social Protection and all Specified Bodies must operate in accordance with the provisions of the Act, there is no requirement for a separate agreement to be in place.

Section 20 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014, which was enacted on the 17th July 2014, added Irish Water to the list of Specified Bodies. Irish Water has advised that PPS Numbers will only be processed by it in relation to confirming eligibility for allowances and accurately calculating water charges. Irish Water has posted information about its use of the PPS Number on the Register of PPS Number Users which is available on the Department of Social Protection website.

The Department is in discussions with Irish Water with regard to the appropriate assistance that can be given in relation to validation of PPS Number data.

Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 218.

Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme

Questions (232)

Finian McGrath

Question:

232. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Irish airlines superannuation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42104/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

While I am aware of the issues arising in relation to this scheme, you will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment on developments relating to a particular pension scheme as these are a matter for the management of the company and the trustees of the pension scheme.

The issue of representation is being considered in the context of access to the industrial relations machinery and in the context of engagement with the trustees of a pension scheme. My officials have engaged both with officials from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and with the Pensions Authority in efforts to explore possible resolutions to the concerns raised.

You will be aware that legislative provisions in respect of pension savings vary across jurisdictions. In an EU context, where a pension scheme operates across EU Member States, employees who are employed in a different Member State (i.e., the host Member State) may be subject to certain provisions (i.e., the social and labour law relevant to the field of occupational pensions) in that Member State which may provide for a different level of protection of pension rights.

Question No. 233 withdrawn.

Question No. 234 answered with Question No. 203.

Registration of Births

Questions (235)

Sean Fleming

Question:

235. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for late registration of a birth for a person (details supplied) will be completed and a birth certificate issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42141/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I am informed by the General Register Office (GRO) that on 23rd October 2014 an application was received for the late registration of a birth for the individual referred to by the Deputy.

The application is currently being investigated and the GRO wrote to the applicant on 28th October 2014 requesting the completion of a statutory declaration required for this application.

When all information requested has been received, the GRO will be in a position to make a decision on the application.

Post Office Network

Questions (236)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

236. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she has engaged with and-or met with An Post to discuss the impact of the introduction of electronic payments and how An Post can possibly adapt its service offering to her Department in the future, given that it is the Government’s stated objective to protect the post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42147/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Department is a client of An Post for the delivery of cash services to welfare clients through the post office network. As part of contract governance of these client services, officials of the Department and representatives of An Post meet formally on a monthly basis to review service provision and address issues arising in respect of cash payment services. The contract also provides for a bi-annual meeting between officials at senior level. There is daily communication on an operational basis in relation to the provision of cash services

In advertising for the procurement of these services, the Department made clear its intention to progressively increase the level of electronic payments to welfare clients. The contract that was agreed with An Post references this strategy and An Post undertook to assist where necessary in that progression.

For my part, I have been a consistent supporter of An Post. The Department is the biggest client of the post office network, using it for both mail and cash services. The future business model of An Post is a matter for its Board and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the first instance. As such, my colleague Minister Alex White T.D. is currently undertaking a review on a cross Departmental basis to consider where Government may have a role in relation to new business potential for the post office network. Officials in my Department are engaged in that process.

Question No. 237 answered with Question No. 218.

Child Poverty

Questions (238, 239)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects to be in a position to progressively address the issue of child poverty in forthcoming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42151/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which her Department has studied the recent report by UNICEF in respect of child poverty here; if she expects to identify specific targets for attention in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42152/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.

The Social Inclusion Monitor, the official report on progress on poverty using national and EU indicators, reports that the rate of consistent poverty for children in 2012 was 9.9 per cent or 115,000 children.

This compares with an average of 8.7 per cent for the years preceding the crisis (2005-2008) or 91,000 children. Using the at-risk-of-poverty measure, 18.8 per cent of children were in poverty in 2012, as compared with 20.8 per cent in the years preceding the crisis.

Compared with EU member states, Ireland was ranked 12th of 28th in 2012, an improvement of two places on 2008.

The Government has already adopted a key recommendation of the UNICEF report - to make an explicit commitment to end child poverty - by setting a child poverty sub-target in April 2014, which is to lift 70,000 children out of poverty by 2020.

The Department of Social Protection helps to prevent child poverty by providing income support for families through child benefit, qualified child increases for welfare recipients, family income supplement and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance, amounting to €2.3 billion in 2014. Through these and other social transfers, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for children is reduced from 45 per cent to 18.8 per cent, a poverty reduction effect of 59 per cent.

Ireland is amongst the best performing member states in the EU in this regard. In Budget 2015, the Government committed a further €96 million for children, including an increase of €5 per month in child benefit.

In order to break the cycle of child poverty where this arises, the Government invests in prevention and early intervention services targeted at disadvantaged children through the Area Based Childhood programme and the DEIS programme.

Finally, a key way to tackle child poverty is to get parents back to work. Through Pathways to Work and the Action Plan on Jobs, the Government is putting people into real jobs, while the family income supplement and new back to work family dividend supports parents to take up and remain in employment, especially those furthest from the labour market.

National Carers' Strategy Status

Questions (240)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she and her Department continue to assess the role of carers with specific reference to the long term impact on families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42153/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Government fully accepts the important role played by carers in society and to acknowledge this, in 2012 the Government published a National Carers’ Strategy - signalling its commitment to recognising and respecting carers as key care partners and to respond to their needs, across a number of policy areas. The Department of Social Protection has committed to a range of actions under the strategy and these relate to recognising the needs of carers through the provision of income supports, enabling carers to have access to respite breaks and enabling carers to remain in touch with the labour market to the greatest extent possible.

The Department’s primary responsibility to carers lies in the provision of income supports. In this regard it should be noted that the financial supports available to carers in Ireland are among the highest rates of income support in Europe. In 2014 the estimated expenditure on carers’ payments is €806 million and this is expected to increase to €822 in 2015.

I fully appreciate the important and difficult role that carers fill and that is why the range of income support measures across the social welfare system is so extensive. In addition to weekly payments of carer's benefit/allowance, carers can avail of an annual respite care grant of €1,375 and continue to receive carer's allowance at half the weekly rate if they are in receipt of another weekly social welfare payment. Carers in receipt of carer's allowance also receive the household benefits package and are entitled to free travel. The means test for carer's allowance is also the most generous in the social welfare system, while a carer can also spend up to 15 hours a week outside the home in employment/education without affecting their entitlement to carer's payment.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review.

Question No. 241 answered with Question No. 181.

Unemployment Benefits Payments

Questions (242)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects the cost of unemployment benefit-assistance to fluctuate in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42156/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The following table shows the provision for jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit in the 2015 Budget and the 2014 REV Estimate, as published on Budget Day 14th October 2014.

Benefit/Assistance	2014 REV Estimate	2015 Budget Estimate	Variance	Variance
	€000	€000	€000	%
Jobseeker’s Allowance	2,820,000	2,607,900	-212,100	-7.5%
Jobseeker’s Benefit	456,600	406,600	-50,000	-11.0%
Total estimate for jobseekers	3,276,600	3,014,500	-262,100	-8.0%

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Data

Questions (243)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the number of recipients of non-contributory old age pension are set to increase-decrease over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42157/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The number of recipients on State pension (non-contributory) has been falling marginally over the last few years as more people reaching pension age satisfy the insurance conditions to qualify for State pension (contributory) or widows’/widowers’/surviving civil partners (contributory).

It is estimated that the average numbers claiming State pension (non-contributory) will fall from an average of 95,400 in 2014 to around 94,000 in 2019.

Labour Activation Measures

Questions (244)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects back to work incentives to play a role in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42158/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

The Government’s policy direction on labour market activation and stimulating employment growth is set out in Pathways to Work and the Action Plan for Jobs respectively. These policies are at the core of the Government’s strategies to get Ireland working again. The strategy outlined in Pathways to Work is devised to ensure new job opportunities are made available to people on the live register and that jobseekers are prepared to avail of work opportunities. Since the introduction of Pathways to Work, a significant transformation has already been delivered in the way the Department of Social Protection works with jobseekers and in its engagement with employers. This has resulted in the revision of a range of services and schemes including the provision of new incentives for both jobseekers and employers.

The Department operates a range of employment support measures designed to encourage and support jobseekers to return to and remain at work, establish self-employment opportunities and engage in reskilling and up-skilling. For jobseekers with families, including lone parents, entering work, financial supports are provided in the form of Family Income Supplement (FIS), to supplement income from work where this is low. Allied to this, an important new measure was announced in Budget 2015, called the Back to Work Family Dividend, which will help jobseekers and lone parents with children return to work by allowing them to retain an element of the welfare payment previously paid in respect of dependent children. The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme is also available which allows jobseekers to take up part-time employment for less than 24 hours per week and to continue to receive a weekly income supplement.

In terms of incentives for employers, JobsPlus is a targeted financial employment subsidy designed to encourage companies to focus their recruitment activities on the long-term unemployed. At the end of September 2014, approximately 3,000 long-term jobseekers were being supported in work through the JobsPlus scheme. A further expansion of JobsPlus was announced in Budget 2015 which will allow for double the number of jobseekers to be supported.

Those jobseekers wishing to pursue a self-employment option can retain all or part of their jobseekers payment for up to two years under the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.

There will be further enhancements to a number of schemes in the coming weeks to underpin the commitment to support young people who are unemployed as part of our National Youth Guarantee.

Details of all schemes are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie, at any Intreo Centre or by contacting the information section on 01 704 3000 or 1890 66 22 44

Labour Activation Measures

Questions (245)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the degree to which JobBridge and-or other unemployment alleviation concepts continue to play a major role in the context of economic recovery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42159/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Department’s activation measures continue to play a major role in consolidating Ireland’s economic recovery. Jobseekers continue in growing numbers to choose JobBridge internships as a means of increasing their skills and work experience and improving their chances of returning rapidly to employment. On 24th October, 2014, 34,636 jobseekers had commenced JobBridge internships. Numbers of former interns moving into employment either directly from or within a period of months after finishing their internship continues to justify the confidence of the Department and individual jobseekers in JobBridge to make a real difference in the lives of individual jobseekers and their path back to employment.

At the end of September 2014, 2,273 employers received JobsPlus payments in respect of 3,000 employees who were previously long-term jobseekers. An expansion of JobsPlus was announced in Budget 2015 which will allow for double the number of jobseekers to be supported. I will be announcing further enhancements to JobsPlus in the coming weeks to underpin the commitment to support young people who are unemployed.

Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times

Questions (246)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the degree to which the waiting period for the hearing of appeals in respect of various benefits-allowances has improved; the extent to which the previous recognised habitually longer areas and causes for delay have been addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42160/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The average appeal processing times for 2012, 2013 and 2014 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the tables below.

Appeal processing times peaked in 2011 when the average time for an oral hearing was 52.5 weeks and for a summary decision was 25.1 weeks. In 2012 the average processing time for an oral hearing dropped to 39.5 weeks and the time for a summary decision increased slightly to 27.8 weeks. Further improvements were achieved in 2013, when the average appeal processing time reduced to 33.9 weeks for an oral hearing and 25.8 weeks for a summary decision, and also in 2014. As at 30 September 2014, the average time taken to process an appeal requiring an oral hearing was 29.3 weeks and for a summary decision was 21.8 weeks.

Appeal processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period including time spent awaiting any clarification from the appellant, time in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. While this process carries an inherent delay in terms of finalising an appeal, it also crystalises the flexibility and accessibility of the appeals system. By its nature and because it is a quasi-judicial function, the processing of appeals takes time and reflects the fact that, by definition, the appeal process cannot be a quick one.

There has been a rapid and sustained increase in the number of appeals received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2009 which has placed extraordinary pressure on the office. Up to 2009, the average number of appeals received was 15,000 per annum whereas in 2012, the number of appeals received peaked at 35,484, reducing to 32,777 appeals in 2013. In order to manage this increasing workload, significant resources and efforts have been put into reducing backlogs and improving appeals processing times for appellants, including the assignment of 15 additional Appeals Officers, in addition to 10 former Community Welfare Service Appeals Officers who joined the appeals office in 2011, bringing the total number of serving Appeals Officers to 41; reviewing and improving business processes; and implementing a new operating model within the appeals office.

In addition to the improvement in processing times, these measures have also led to a significant increase in the annual number of appeals finalised in the appeals office from 17,787 in 2009 to 38,421 in 2013. An additional 5,863 appeals were finalised in 2013 compared to 2012. Good progress has also been made in reducing the number of appeals on hand from 20,414 at 1 January 2013 to 10,173 at 31st October 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.

2012 - Appeals Processing times by scheme 1/1/2012 - 31/12/2012 - Summary and Oral

Benefits/Allowances	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Adoptive Benefit	27.7	40.4
Blind Pension	24.4	34.7
Carers Allowance	33.5	42.5
Carers Benefit	27.3	35.3
Child Benefit	47.1	53.1
Disability Allowance	34.2	40.6
Illness Benefit	41.9	50.3
Domiciliary Care	32.5	41.4
Deserted Wives Benefit	27.6	45.4
Deserted Wives Allowance	24.5	39.5
Farm Assist	23.4	44.9
Bereavement Grant	29.0	-
Family Income Supplement	22.8	31.2
Invalidity Pension	38.8	48.7
Liable Relatives	33.9	69.7
One Parent Family Payment	29.4	44.6
Maternity Benefit	30.8	41.7
State Pension (Contributory)	33.2	59.4
State Pension (Non-Cont)	27.7	51.1
State Pension (Transition)	25.1	49.1
Occupational Injury Benefit	19.5	66.9
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical)	78.7	87.4
Disablement Pension	35.7	46.0
Incapacity Supplement	14.2	48.8
Guardian's Payment (Con)	25.8	49.1
Guardian's Payment (Non-con)	32.0	58.8
Pre-Retirement Allowance	54.6	-
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	22.8	38.2
Jobseeker's Allowance	24.4	34.4
Jobseeker's Benefit	20.9	30.8
Respite Care Grant	28.5	37.3
Insurability of Employment	45.6	83.3
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	17.6	22.9
Treatment Benefits	19.0	-
Survivor's Pension (Con)	27.1	60.5
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	30.9	39.1
Widows Parent Grant	23.2	-
All Appeals	27.8	39.5

2013 - Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2013

Benefits/Allowances	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Adoptive Benefit	34.2	-
Blind Pension	24.6	16.1
Carers Allowance	27.9	33.5
Carers Benefit	22.5	27.4
Child Benefit	28.8	37.7
Disability Allowance	29.0	36.2
Illness Benefit	37.4	43.3
Domiciliary Care	27.6	34.4
Deserted Wives Benefit	31.6	26.1
Deserted Wives Allowance	12.2	-
Farm Assist	23.0	28.2
Bereavement Grant	26.7	12.4
Family Income Supplement	30.7	41.0
Homemaker	19.0	-
Invalidity Pension	35.0	42.5
Liable Relatives	30.1	42.9
One Parent Family Payment	29.4	38.3
Maternity Benefit	28.4	50.0
Partial Capacity Benefit	39.2	38.1
State Pension (Contributory)	26.4	44.5
State Pension (Non-Cont)	26.8	41.9
State Pension (Transition)	23.7	43.2
Occupational Injury Benefit	36.1	54.1
Disablement Pension	30.7	36.9
Incapacity Supplement	25.8	60.8
Guardian's Payment (Con)	21.9	44.9
Guardian's Payment (Non-con)	45.5	27.5
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	21.2	29.7
Jobseeker's Allowance	20.5	26.7
Jobseeker's Benefit	21.1	28.9
Jobseeker's Fraud Control	17.6	101.8
Respite Care Grant	28.6	33.1
Insurability of Employment	35.8	78.4
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	17.1	24.1
Treatment Benefits	27.7	-
Survivor's Pension (Con)	26.4	39.2
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con)	28.0	38.5
Widowed Parent Grant	26.3	-
All Appeals	25.8	33.9

2014 - Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 30/09/14

Benefits/Allowances	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Adoptive Benefit	17.1	-
Blind Pension	20.2	32.6
Carers Allowance	31.6	35.6
Carers Benefit	23.9	24.1
Child Benefit	23.2	32.4
Disability Allowance	21.2	27.5
Illness Benefit	30.7	34.4
Domiciliary Care Allowance	23.8	29.6
Deserted Wives Benefit	-	64.7
Deserted Wives Allowance	-	41.8
Farm Assist	24.5	30.7
Bereavement Grant	25.8	18.2
Family Income Supplement	27.5	33.1
Invalidity Pension	27.1	32.4
Liable Relatives	20.2	33.2
One Parent Family Payment	25.6	34.6
Maternity Benefit	23.1	47.9
Partial Capacity Benefit	48.5	47.5
State Pension (Contributory)	25.0	47.2
State Pension (Non-Cont)	21.2	28.7
State Pension (Transition)	27.6	35.1
Occupational Injury Benefit	31.4	33.0
Disablement Pension	24.5	32.1
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical)	-	53.9
Incapacity Supplement	21.5	52.8
Guardian's Payment (Con)	23.4	27.3
Guardian's Payment (Non-con)	17.9	31.3
Pre Retirement Allowance	17.3	-
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	19.0	27.7
Jobseeker's Allowance	16.7	21.9
JA/JB Fraud Control	12.1	-
Jobseeker's Benefit	17.4	21.5
Treatment Benefit	20.8	-
Respite Care Grant	25.7	27.1
Insurability of Employment	45.7	67.2
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	14.8	22.5
Survivor's Pension (Con)	19.5	34.2
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con)	25.8	22.1
Widowed Parent Grant	26.5	-
All Appeals	21.8	29.3

Social Welfare Appeals Data

Questions (247)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of cases referred to appeal in the case of invalidity pension, disability allowance or other health related payments; the number of such cases in respect of which the decision on appeal was in favour of the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42161/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The figures requested by the Deputy, relating to the main health-related payments received and finalised during 2013 and to the end of September 2014, are provided in the table below.

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. 5,597 of the appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant and 2,243 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 9 months of 2014 a total of 2,127 invalidity pension appeals were received and 3,067 invalidity pension appeals were finalised. 2,373 of the invalidity pension appeals finalised in 2014 had a successful outcome for the appellant and 497 of these were revised decisions of Deciding Officers.

In the case of disability allowance appeals, a total of 6,836 appeals were received during 2013 and 7,745 appeals were finalised during that year. 4,758 of the disability allowance appeals which were finalised had a successful outcome for the appellant and 792 of these were revised decisions made by deciding officers. During the first nine months of 2014 a total of 4,223 disability allowance appeals were received and 5,526 disability allowance appeals were finalised. 3,749 of the disability allowance appeals finalised in 2014 had a successful outcome for the appellant and 392 of these 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.

Appeal Receipts and Outcomes 2013 – 2014 (to 30/9/2014)

Benefits/Allowances					Appeals Decided by Appeals Officers	Appeals Decided by Appeals Officers	Appeals Decided by Appeals Officers
		Annual Receipts	Revised Decisions by Deciding Officers	Allowed	Partially Allowed	Disallowed	Withdrawn
	2013	6,836	792	3,882	84	2,842	145
Disability Allowance	2014	4,223	392	3,280	77	1,710	67
	2013	1,761	928	303	13	554	740
Illness Benefit	2014	1,010	518	170	17	262	303
	2013	4,501	2,243	3,336	18	1,311	60
Invalidity Pension	2014	2,127	497	1,865	11	660	34
	2013	3,869	1,040	990	131	1,505	56
Carer’s Allowance	2014	2,030	396	928	148	1,163	36
	2013	115	43	44	2	53	3
Carer’s Benefit	2014	99	36	30	3	36	4
	2013	1,688	533	783	25	694	30
Domiciliary Care Allowance	2014	932	421	573	15	257	7

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Data

Questions (248)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total number of recipients of non-contributory old age pension; the degree to which this number has fluctuated in the past six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42163/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The number of recipients of State pension non-contributory (SPNC) is contained in the Department’s Annual Statistical Information Report which is published on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie on the following link:http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/Social-Stats-AR-2013-SectionB.pdf.

Section B of the report contains statistical information in relation to pensions and Table B3 outlines the information requested by the Deputy from 2004-2013.

In 2007 there were 97,726 in receipt of SPNC. This has declined slightly over the last six years and at the end of 2013 there were 95,801 recipients of SPNC.

Departmental Funding

Questions (249)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

249. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on losses in the workforce of the social justice sector (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42192/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The report the Deputy is referring to is entitled Scoping of need in social justice sphere and published by Philanthropy Ireland. Its purpose is to provide Philanthropy Ireland and its members with insights on possible area of need that might inform their future funding programmes. It is based on desk research and interviews with 14 informants. The report highlights the reduction in social need funding due to the withdrawal of a number of philanthropic foundations from Ireland, as well as reduced state funding for community and voluntary bodies under various social programmes.

The Department of Social Protection is the main provider of funding for social need in Ireland. In 2014, it will spend €19.6 billion on income support schemes for 1,426,000 recipients and 2,197,000 beneficiaries, including children, the unemployed, lone parents, people with a disability, and older people. This expenditure has increased by €1.8 billion on the 2008 figure, an increase of 10 per cent, despite the requirements for fiscal consolidation measures under the Troika programme. In Budget 2015, there is provision for additional expenditure on social protection programmes of €198 million, plus a further €65.5 million on a Christmas Bonus for recipients of long-term welfare schemes.

The Department of Social Protection is not a funder of social programmes delivered by the community and voluntary sector and therefore has not reduced its funding for this sector. The Department engages with a range of community and voluntary groups on the delivery of its services and consults with these groups on budgetary policy through its annual pre-Budget forum. The Department greatly values the contribution of these organisations to its work.

The latest CSO statistics show that in 2012 7.7 per cent of the population was in consistent poverty. The national social target for poverty reduction is to reduce this figure to 4 per cent by 2016 and to 2 per cent or less by 2020. Community and voluntary groups have a vital role to play in helping to achieve this national target.

Question No. 250 withdrawn.