Written Answers Nos. 30 - 50
30. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Health regarding the need to have nutritional information on confectionery products documented in a manner as a percentage of a child's daily intake rather than a percentage of an adult's daily intake, in particular on those products which are aimed at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20397/15]
View answerI share the Deputy’s concerns in improving information on nutrition for children, young people and parents, and actively engaged with improving nutritional information on foods and beverages, including calorie posting in restaurants, when Minister for Health. However, in relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy there are particular practical problems in achieving this. The calorie intake required by children varies enormously by age and gender and activity levels. For example a relatively sedentary 5 year old girl will require around 1200 calories, whilst an active teenage boy may require 3000 calories per day, making the calculation of the percentage it contributes a particular daily total for a child or young person complex. Confectionary should, ideally, not form part of any child’s everyday diet, and be seen as an occasional treat. The campaign currently being run by SafeFood in partnership with ourselves and the Department of Health has had this as one of its key messages.
The Department of Health is currently in the process of developing new healthy eating guidelines for children aged under five which will help parents and professionals advising them make the best choices in relation to the nutrition of their children.
31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he is satisfied that adequate resources remain available to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to provide the full range of services and facilities for which it has responsibility; if he expects any further resources to be required in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20487/15]
View answerAs part of the estimates process for Budget 2015 I am pleased to say that I secured gross funding of €1,027 million for my Department to deliver important reform and service developments to support children and young people next year. This includes a provision of €992 million in current expenditure and €35 million in capital expenditure, which in Vote terms, represents an overall increase of €30 million, or 3%, over the 2014 allocation.
The Estimate for 2015 contains significant additional resources to fund the services and programmes provided by the Child and Family Agency. This amounts to €643 million, which accounts for 63% of the Vote allocation, and represents an increase of €34 million or 5% against the 2014 allocation. While I understand that this level of funding cannot address all of the challenges that the new Agency faces in doing its work, I believe that the additional funding will allow the Agency not only to alleviate the pressures on the range of services currently in place, but also to build on the extensive programme of reform across the range of services for children and services which is well underway. The balance of funding in the Vote, which amounts to €384 million, relates to a range of other programmes administered by my Department including those relating to child-care and youth services.
Officials in my Department continue to closely monitor the cash position of the Agency and are working with the Agency on an ongoing basis to monitor the Agency's financial requirement. Any variations to agreed expenditure profiles are discussed with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the ongoing budgetary discussions.
32. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the context of the welcome plans for Gaeltacht education launched recently by the Minister for Education and Skills, if his Department is playing a role in the development of a new approach for Gaeltacht schools by examining preschool facilities in Gaeltacht communities, in recognition of the impact preschool education through the Irish language will have on subsequent formal education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20404/15]
View answerThe Policy Proposals for Educational Provision in Gaeltacht Areas, which was launched recently by the Minister for Education and Skills, builds on the earlier Gaeltacht Review.
The policy proposals include strengthening early years educational provision by:
a) exploring how naíonraí could be accommodated on the site of primary schools;
b) ensuring that practitioners in naíonraí have sufficient competence in the language and an understanding of language pedagogy including immersion education in early years educational settings; and
c) enhancing the qualifications and continuing professional development opportunities available to practitioners working in the naíonraí.
There is a public consultation on the policy proposals put forward and I hope that the early years sector will make their views known on the proposals relating to early years educational provision. I do not intend to pre-empt this public consultation process by committing my Department to examining pre-school facilities in Gaeltacht communities.
33. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will implement the plan to deal with the 12% of children who are living in consistent poverty and the 18% of children who are at risk of living in poverty. [20493/15]
View answerBetter Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 (BOBF), which was published and launched by Government in 2014, provides the overarching framework for the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people.
As part of the implementation of Better Outcomes, Better Futures, the Department of Social Protection have identified child poverty as a cross-sectoral priority action for 2015. The Department of Social Protection have the lead role in delivery on a child poverty target and are the Sponsor of outcome 4 of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures - economic security and opportunity.
This child target relates to lifting over 70,000 children out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level. The Department of Social Protection also has lead responsibility for the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion.
To inform the development of a mutli-dimensional approach to tackling child poverty, a national seminar on ‘Investing in children – breaking the cycle of disadvantage’ was held with the European Commission and attended by national stakeholders in November 2014. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Social Protection supporting this mutli-dimensional approach to child poverty.
As regards my own Department there are a number of areas of focus that support this response to child poverty. My Department invests €260 million annually on early childhood care and education and after-school support programmes which provide care to 100,000 children. A number of these programmes are targeted at those on lowest incomes. In addition in early 2015, I established an Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and After-School Care and Education. The work of the group is focused on identifying policy objectives to guide future investment in this area.
My Department is also leading the implementation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme (2013-2016). The ABC Programme is co-funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and will have a total funding allocation of up to €29.7 million. The ABC Programme draws on best international practice to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched, and improve the outcomes for children and young people and existing services.
My Department also provides targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through a range of schemes totalling €49.93m of funding. The forthcoming National Youth Strategy will ensure that the social inclusion of young people is a key aim.
Finally, as part of my Department's response, Tusla, the child and family agency is also responsible for the delivery of educational welfare services which involves intensive intervention and a multidisciplinary approach to address the child's needs and support school attendance. During this period the School Completion Programme provided targeted support to approximately 36,000 children and young people at risk of early school leaving across 124 community based programmes.
Tusla also provides a range of services that offer advice and support to families. This includes over 100 family resource centres. The aim of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The Programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level.
34. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update regarding the investigations into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19539/15]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was formally established by Government Order on the 17th February 2015.
In accordance with its comprehensive Terms of Reference, the Commission is tasked with thoroughly examining the experience of mothers and children resident in Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County Homes. The Commission is required to address seven specific questions on the practices and procedures relating to the care, welfare, entry arrangements and exit pathways for the women and children who were residents of these institutions. The primary function of the Commission is to provide a factual account, in a timely manner, of what happened to vulnerable women and children in these institutions during the period 1922 - 1998. The Government Order and a number of related explanatory documents are available on my Department’s website (www.dcya.gov.ie).
In addition to the main investigation methods, the confidential committee forum will allow former residents to provide accounts of their experience in private and a social history module will provide context through an objective and comprehensive analysis of key issues. These reports are scheduled to be completed by August 2016 and the Commission shall complete its final report not later than February 2018.
I can advise the Deputy that the Commission has begun its work. My Department continues to assist the Commission in recruiting its own legal and research experts and to establish the administrative arrangements necessary to support the Commission. However, it is essential to recognise that the Commission is completely independent in the conduct of the investigation. Therefore the precise timing and approach to its investigations are matters for the Commission to decide and progress. I have no role in decisions relating to its investigations.
Persons wishing to contact the Commission may do so by writing directly to: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, 73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, email info@mbhcoi.ie or by telephone at 01-6445000. I am advised that the Commission intends to advertise its contact details publicly within the coming weeks.
35. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in care who are still awaiting allocation of a social worker; the number without a written care plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19540/15]
View answerThe latest figures I have to hand from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that, in February 2015, there were 6,393 children in care. Almost 93% of children in care were in a foster care setting. Of all children in care, over 92% (5,878) have an allocated social worker and 90% (5,739) have an up to date written care plan. This indicates that 515 children in care are without a dedicated social worker and that there were 654 who did not have a current care plan. Tusla's policy is that all children coming into care and those in high risk placements have an allocated social worker. Subsequent gaps may be attributed to a number of factors including maternity leave, vacancies and competing priorities. I would note that figures provided by Tusla for children with a written care plan only include care plans that have formally completed the review process required under the Child Care Regulations 1995. Where a review is taking place, the existing care plan remains in place.
Tusla's policy is that, where a child is awaiting the allocation of a social worker, this is responded to by a duty team on a risk management basis. During this time, specific pieces of work on the child's case may be undertaken by staff working in the duty system. Structures are in place to regulate and inspect service provision, including the independent inspection regime of the Health Information and Quality Authority. I am satisfied that, overall, the necessary services and supports are in place to ensure the care and welfare of children in State care.
36. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on plans to improve the information and communications technology and the information database systems across the child protection services and to remove their dependence on the Health Service Executive, by transferring resources and ownership to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. [20399/15]
View answerThe total funding provision for Tusla in 2015 is €643.401m, an increase of 5.6% over the 2014 allocation. This includes provision for capital expenditure of €12.386m in 2015, an increase of €5.5m over 2014.
Tusla has recently submitted its Estates and ICT Capital Plan for the period 2015 - 2017. The Plan is designed to support and build ICT capacity in line with business needs and ensure that total resources available to Tusla are applied to improving outcomes for children and families in the most effective, efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way. The objectives over the lifetime of the plan are to optimise performance and cost to support delivery of the Agency's business goals. This includes establishing a baseline position, developing a roadmap to ensure that ICT systems are adequate to support business requirements and developing ICT strategic options. The Plan also provides for the development of an ICT Strategy and centralised procurement and project management. The Plan includes provision for the continued roll-out of the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS), which will operate as the central national database supporting the provision of child welfare and protection services.
Access to the NCCIS system will ensure that every social work department has a user-friendly technology solution to record the case history of every child who is the subject of a child protection or welfare referral.
Phase 1 of the implementation of the NCCIS project involves approximately 180 front-line staff in North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick using the pilot System and Phase 2 is currently in development.
My Department will work closely with the Agency on the content of its Capital Plan and will closely monitor progress in terms of implementation.
37. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason behind the recent decision to withdraw the funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for the Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency community advocacy project in Wexford town; if he will consider reversing this decision in view of the important service the disability agency has provided to many families in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19801/15]
View answerThe Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency (DESSA) was contracted by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to provide support, advice and training for Family Resource Centres across the area of disability awareness and staff/volunteer training in personal advocacy for people with disabilities. The organisation is funded by Tusla up to the end of June 2015.
Family Resource Centres are front-line services rooted in the community they serve. They offer an open door and respectful service. This universal accessibility allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions and timely referrals to appropriate services and for more intensive and targeted work as required. Acting as a focal point within their community, Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families. This is inclusive of children and families who may have a disability.
Tusla values the work of DESSA and recognises the impact of its work across the Family Resource Centre Programme. I am assured by Tusla that the existing Family Resource Centre network has the capacity to deliver the services in question and to the required level. Tusla intends to build on the significant strengths of Family Resource Centres in meeting its mandate for community-based early intervention and family support. In this regard, Tusla is providing funding of €13.09m to 109 Centres across the country in 2015.
In seeking to improve outcomes and well being for children and young people, Tusla must ensure that it makes the most efficient use of its resources and in a way that is efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable. Tusla is giving particular priority in 2015 to the protection of front-line services and those which are best aligned to the priority outcomes as set out in the Agency's Corporate Plan.
Tusla is in receipt of Exchequer funding of €643m in 2015 which represents an increase of €34m or 5.6% over 2014. The level of funding provided represents tangible evidence of this Government's commitment to improving services for the most disadvantaged children and families.
38. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of allegations of abuse of children under the care of the Health Service Executive or other State institutions or State funded care which are currently under investigation by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, broken down between historical cases and present cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20398/15]
View answerChildren First guidelines set out the roles and responsibilities for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, as well as for State institutions and other publicly funded services, in relation to allegations of abuse. Tusla has clear operational guidance for its staff on the assessment of allegations of abuse, whether current or historical. An Garda Siochana carries out criminal investigations into allegations of abuse.
When Tusla receives an allegation of abuse, their first duty is to the safety of the child concerned and to gather sufficient information in order to come to a professional opinion regarding risk to that child and any other child posed by the person against whom the allegation has been made. When Tusla receives information from an adult about abuse he/she suffered as a child, Tusla have the same responsibility to assess the current risk that may be posed to children by the adult against whom the historical allegation has been made. Tusla has a duty of care to apply fair procedures and natural justice to any adult where they are undertaking an assessment of the risk that adult may pose, but where they conclude that the allegation is founded, they will share that information with relevant third parties to ensure that children are protected.
Tusla publishes data on all abuse referrals, by type (neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse) and on referrals concerning welfare issues. Tusla's data shows many referrals proceed to initial assessment, and how many are confirmed as requiring a child protection plan. The data, as nationally collected, is not broken down into investigations of historical and present abuse. Consequently, Tusla has informed me that it does not have data in the form requested by the Deputy. Tusla has informed my Department that, as part of the standardisation of data collection, it intends to disaggregate the total number of referrals and assessments to allow reporting on historical allegations separately.
39. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to have any input or make recommendations, specifically under his remit of the protection of children, to the working group set up by the Department of Justice and Equality which plans to review a range of issues pertaining to asylum seekers and direct provision, which will inevitably include the welfare of children residing in this State living in direct provision. [19798/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government established an independent Working Group to report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including Direct Provision and support to asylum seekers. This is in fulfilment of its commitment under its Statement of Government Priorities 2014 – 2016 and comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Working Group, under the chairmanship of former High Court Judge Bryan McMahon, had its first plenary session in November 2014. The Group’s membership is drawn from a range of interests in the international protection area including UNHCR, non-governmental organisations, the protection seeker community, academia and relevant Government Departments and Offices, including my Department and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
My Department took the lead for the sub group with a particular interest in children’s issues across all three themes to ensure their interests are fully understood. Across the three working sub-groups and plenary sessions there have been in excess of 40 meetings and extensive site visits to direct provision centres, consultation with residents locally and nationally and consideration of written submissions from residents and other interested bodies. My Department is also undertaking a consultation with children in Direct Provision later in 2015.
I understand that there have been a number of plenary sessions to discuss recommendations recently. The report is expected to be submitted to Government in the near future.
40. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when details of the Open Policy Debate on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Services, which was hosted by his Department on 31 March 2015, will be published, in order that the proposals made at the meeting by parents, providers, academics, city and county child care committees and non-governmental organisations can be discussed by Members of the Oireachtas, prior to the publishing of the report of the interdepartmental group. [19796/15]
View answerMy Department currently provides approximately €260 million annually to early years and school-age care and education services. This funding is largely directed towards a number of childcare programmes, which aim to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of early years and school-age care and education. These programmes support the provision of early years and school-age care and education for more than 100,000 children each year.
To ensure that all the benefits of this (and future) investment are fully realised, it must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. It is critically important that any investment is designed to achieve the best outcomes for children and their parents. Accordingly, I have established an Inter-Departmental Group to develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in early years and school-age care and education.
Membership of the Group includes representation from right across Government, including the Departments of Education and Skills, Jobs and Innovation, Justice and Equality, Social Protection and as well as the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, Finance and an Taoiseach.
The work of the Group is being informed by research and evidence of best practice and by existing policy commitments, including those set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People.
To inform its work, the Group has also solicited the views of key stakeholders, interested parties and the general public through a number of consultative processes, including:
- A series of bilateral discussions with relevant Government Departments, including the Departments of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Education and Skills, Finance, Jobs and Innovation, Justice and Equality, Public Expenditure and Reform and Social Protection;
- Two separate online consultation processes - one with the early years sector, which resulted in approximately 400 submissions and one with parents and guardians, which resulted in almost 1,000 submissions; and
- An Open Policy Debate on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Services, which is referred to by the Deputy.
This Open Policy Debate, which was carried out in line with the Civil Service Renewal Programme, was hosted by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on 31st March 2015 and attended by some 40 invited representatives including parents, providers, academics, childcare committees, and NGOs.
Reports on the online consultations and the Open Policy Debate are currently being compiled and will be published in due course.
The Inter-Departmental Group will submit its report to Government by end June 2015.
42. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for disability allowance her Department received in 2013 and 2014 and in 2015 to date; the number of these that were approved, are pending or were refused in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20883/15]
View answerThe following table relates to the disability allowance scheme.
|
Year |
Number received |
Number awarded |
Number refused |
Number pending at end of year |
|
2013 |
20,538 |
*12,497 |
14,691(*) |
5,022 |
|
2014 |
21,071 |
*13,876 |
12,621(*) |
6,088 |
|
**2015 |
6,915 |
*5,413 |
6,119 (*) |
4,526 |
*Some of the cases recorded as disallowed may also be recorded as allowed, where they were allowed following a review or appeal of a prior disallowance – usually as a result of additional evidence being supplied.
** Up to end of April 2015.
43. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive arrears on a claim for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20890/15]
View answerDisability allowance arrears have been calculated and will issue to the person concerned shortly by her chosen payment method.
44. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review and expedite an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, given that all medical evidence has been submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20913/15]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 6 May 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. She was notified on 15 May 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
45. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update in relation to an appeal in respect of a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20916/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 14 April 2015, 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.
46. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review and expedite an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20925/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 23 April 2015. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 11 June 2015. Any arrears due from 23 April 2015 to 10 June 2015 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 26 May 2015.
47. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in cases where a person falls into arrears with a mortgage and is suffering from real financial difficulties, if her Department will help and assist in paying a portion of the mortgage on the property if the person is in severe arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20946/15]
View answerThe most appropriate way in which customers experiencing mortgage difficulties can be supported is through engagement with their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) which explores the various options available to provide sustainable solutions. Government has recently agreed a number of enhanced supports for mortgage holders who are in arrears.
It would not be appropriate for the Department to pay a portion of an individual’s mortgage in respect of their property and I would urge that any individual affected engages with their lender as early as possible.
48. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if Government policy should better link her Department with the Private Residential Tenancies Board, allowing money to be paid directly from her Department to the landlord. [20947/15]
View answerThe rent supplement scheme provides support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are approximately 69,000 rent supplement recipients, for which the Government has provided a total of over €298 million in 2015.
The Department works closely with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to help ensure that rent supplement tenancies comply with the statutory system of tenancy regulation and safeguards. The Department advises the PRTB, on a quarterly basis, of all new rent supplement tenancies to assist them in implementing tenancy regulations and co-operates in any initiatives taken by the PRTB to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act.
Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department’s relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application for rent supplement and payment is made to the tenant to assist them with their accommodation needs. There is no direct relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme. However, social welfare legislation provides for the payment of a rent supplement payment to a nominated payee such as a landlord on behalf of the tenant. This arrangement is entered at the tenant’s request and subject to the consent of the Department.
The efficiency of the rent supplement scheme would be significantly affected if all payments were to be made directly to landlords, for the provision of short term support. The Department’s strategic policy direction is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short term income support by transferring responsibility for persons with long term housing needs to the local authorities under the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme (HAP). HAP is being designed so as to bring all of the social housing services provided by the State together under the local authority system and is currently being rolled out in selected local authority areas. Under HAP the local authority pays the rent directly to the landlord.
49. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an application for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20954/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 26 March 2015. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 11 June 2015. Any arrears due from 19 February 2015 to 10 June 2015 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 22 May 2015.
50. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an application for an illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, given that this application has been pending for a long time and the person recently had an assessment with the medical assessor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20957/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that there is no appeal registered for Illness Benefit by the person concerned, however an appeal for Disability Allowance by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12 March 2015. 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 have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 23 April 2015 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.
