Written Answers Nos. 168 - 179
168. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to withdraw the new social protection forms which recommend payment through banks and discourage use of the post office, in view of the fact the new forms show a complete disregard for the commercial future of post offices, which are a trusted and valued part of everyday life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23103/15]
View answer172. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to withdraw and redraft her Department's new forms that encourage persons on social protection payments, now or in the future, to move from accessing their payments through the post office network to direct payment to a bank account; if she accepts the legitimate concern not only of those represented by the Irish Postmasters' Union but by elected and community voices, especially in rural areas, at the potential negative impact of this encouragement on the viability of many rural post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23111/15]
View answer178. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to revise her Department's prioritising of the use of bank accounts for electronic payments over post office accounts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23181/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 168, 172 and 178 together.
Successive Governments and this one most notably, have consistently stated their commitment to maintaining the post office network as set out in the Programme for Government. The post office is seen as a key piece of financial and social infrastructure for both urban and rural areas. Part of the strength of the post office brand, and one of its chief selling points, is that it reaches all parts of the country and can be assessed by anyone. It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices in the community.
My Department’s continuing support for An Post is apparent, both in terms of the cost of postage services and the value of the contract for welfare payments. In this regard, we anticipate this year that we will pay over €50 million to An Post under a contract for cash payment services to welfare customers. This contract is very substantial in terms of its reach, value and impact.
As you are aware my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Alex White, T.D., formally launched the Post Office Network Business Development Group under the independent Chairmanship of Mr Bobby Kerr in February, 2015 to explore potential commercial opportunities available to the post office network. I look forward viewing the report from this Group.
I understand An Post is anxious to grow its existing levels of services in the light of emerging market pressures which extend beyond the delivery of welfare payments. In this context I am pleased to note An Post has tendered for the provision of a new payment and transaction account. I look forward to that becoming available in the not too distant future as it will provide alternative payment opportunities for my Department’s customers.
In order to recognise the general societal trend to electronic payments the Department has been changing some of its application forms. The option to be paid at the post office remains on the forms.
I want to emphasise that the amendments do not remove the option to be paid at the post office. This option still remains on the forms. Therefore, customers are free to opt to receive their payment at the post office if they wish.
The Department is conscious of the important role of the post office around the country, not only in respect of social welfare payments but also in offering other financial services such as paying bills and carrying out a range of banking services. The Government has consistently stated its commitment to maintaining the post office network as set out in the Programme for Government.
169. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has sufficient contributions to qualify for an invalidity pension; the reason for the decision taken in respect of this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23104/15]
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 claimants 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.
According to the Department’s records, it appears that the person concerned does not satisfy the PRSI contribution criteria for IP. However entitlement to IP can be definitively determined on receipt of a completed claim.
170. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23105/15]
View answerThe application from the person in question was disallowed on the grounds that her weekly means were in excess of the statutory limit allowable in her case.
The person concerned was advised of her right to seek a review and to submit an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date, she has not availed of either option.
171. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive disability allowance arrears; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23106/15]
View answerDisability allowance arrears are currently being held as the person concerned has an outstanding debt. Our debt recovery unit will be contact with the person in question shortly for proposals on the recovery of this debt. When the repayment has been agreed, the debt recovery unit will then issue any residual arrears.
173. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average time for processing appeals in respect of carer's allowance; in view of the undue waiting time for many applicants, her plans to review the appeals process and shorten the existing waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23114/15]
View answerAppeal processing times peaked in 2011 when the average processing time for an appeal of carers allowance was 38.8 weeks. In 2012 the average processing time reduced to 33.8 weeks. Further improvements were achieved in 2013, when the average appeal processing time reduced to 28.5 weeks. As at the end of May 2015, the average time taken to process a carer’s allowance appeal has reduced further to 21.7 weeks, a reduction of 17.1 weeks since 2011.
The reduction in processing time reflects the significant resources which have been invested in the Social Welfare Appeals Office over the last number of years.
In addition the Department has undertaken a process of reform in many of its scheme areas aimed at reducing the time taken to respond to requests for submissions in relation to appeals. The response time to requests for submissions to the Department for appeals of carer’s allowance has reduced from an average of 17.9 weeks in 2011 to 14 weeks at end May 2015.
Processing times are calculated from the registration date to the date of finalisation and include time spent awaiting clarification from the appellant and time in the Department for review and preparation of its appeal submission, 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.
Appeal processing times are kept under continual review in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and every effort is made to reduce processing times.
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.
174. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23138/15]
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.
Under EU Regulations the person in question was awarded a full rate Invalidity Pension (IP) with effect from the 10 April 1997 using a combination of her Irish and UK paid contributions as, according to Department records, she did not have the required 260 contributions paid to qualify under national legislation. On 6th March 2014 the person concerned was awarded a UK pension which resulted in here rate of IP being reduced. Her IP claim was subsequently review and it has been found that she now has the required 260 paid contributions in this state and was subsequently awarded full rate IP under national legislation from 6 March 2014. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 28 May 201 and arrears due issued by cheque to her on 28 May 2015.
175. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on a review of carer's allowance; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23155/15]
View answerA review of this carers allowance claim for the person in question was carried out in relation to hours worked outside the home. It is a condition for receipt of carer’s allowance that you must not be employed outside the home in excess of 15 hours per week. Based on the evidence submitted, it was decided that the person in question was not entitled to carers allowance for the periods 31 January 2013 to 22 April 2015. A letter issued on 17 April 2015 to the person in question informing them of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal.
The customer has requested a review of this decision which is currently being processed and once completed the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
176. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23158/15]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 8th May 2015. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the person concerned. It can currently take 12 weeks to process an application for DCA.
177. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was refused disability allowance; the grounds on which the person was deemed to be not substantially disabled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23161/15]
View answerEntitlement to disability allowance is based on satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. The person must be between the age 16 and 66.
In order to qualify for the scheme on medical grounds a person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year and as a result of the condition the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications.
A deciding officer having examined all the documents in support of the application and havening weighed up the evidence decided that the person concerned was not substantially restricted in seeking suitable employment, by reason of a specified disability , which is expected to last for a period of at least one year. The onus is on the applicant to provide the department with sufficient evidence to demonstrate their eligibility in relation to all conditionality.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 3 June 2015. The person in question, was given the option of seeking a review or appealing our decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, within 21 days. To date, neither option has been exercised.
179. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal of refusal of disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23192/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 February 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 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.
