Written Answers Nos. 159-174
159. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on a disability allowance application. [28254/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 3 June 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
160. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on a disability allowance application. [28255/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 12 June 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
161. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and when the person may expect a decision on an invalidity pension appeal. [28256/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3rd June 2015. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal 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.
162. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and when the person may expect a decision on an invalidity pension application. [28257/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 14 May 2015. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 30 July 2015. Any arrears due from 14 May 2015 to 29 July 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 10 July 2015.
164. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on a disability allowance application. [28259/15]
View answerThe person in question has been awarded a disability allowance payment with effect from 4 February 2015. First payment will be on 29 July 2015 and any arrears due will follow shortly.
165. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on a carer's allowance appeal. [28261/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 29th June 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.
166. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on a disability allowance application. [28262/15]
View answerThe application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 12 June 2015.
Further evidence was received on 29 June 2015 and this is currently being reviewed by a deciding officer. The person in question can expect a decision on the review of his DA application shortly. If the outcome of that review is to confirm the decision to refuse DA, the person concerned will have the right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
167. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and when the person may expect a decision on a disability allowance application. [28263/15]
View answerThe application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 5 June 2015.
Further evidence was received on 29 June 2015 and this is currently being reviewed by a deciding officer. The person in question can expect a decision on the review of her DA application shortly. If the decision to refuse the allowance is confirmed following review, the person concerned will have the right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
168. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an invalidity pension application. [28264/15]
View answerThe person in question is in receipt of disability allowance at a reduced weekly rate because of means assessed.
Invalidity 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.
The department received a claim for IP from the person concerned on the 12 March 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that, based upon the evidence supplied, the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. The person in question was notified on the 08 April 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his rights of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence on 02 June 2015 in support of his request. Following a review of all the information available it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified on 08 July 2015 of the outcome of the review and of his right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.
169. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision on a carer's allowance appeal. [28266/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 2 February 2015 in respect of two care recipients. The application was awarded on 25 June 2015 for one care recipient and the first payment is due to issue to the person’s nominated post office on 16 July 2015. Any arrears of allowance due, 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 25 June 2015.
The person concerned was refused CA for a 2nd care recipient on the grounds that the person is not so disabled as to require full-time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. She was notified on 13 May 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support. All the available evidence was reviewed by a deciding officer, but the decision remained unchanged. The person in question was notified on 25 June 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of appeal.
There is no record, to date, of an appeal being received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
170. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision on a carer's allowance application. [28267/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 13 November 2014. This application was refused on three grounds, that her means exceeded the statutory limit, that she was working/attending a course outside the home for more than 15 hours per week and that she was not providing full-time care and attention as required. She was notified on 13 April 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision. Following this review, the conditions in relation to hours of employment and means were deemed to be satisfied with effect from the 26th February 2015. However, the decision in relation to the provision of full-time care remained unchanged following review. The person in question was notified on 27 May 2015 of the outcome of this review.
The person concerned has appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The SWAO will be in touch with the person concerned in relation to the progress of the appeal.
171. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an invalidity pension application. [28268/15]
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.
A claim for IP was received from the person concerned on the 09 June 2015. In order to assist with the assessment of the person’s medical suitability for IP, two forms for completion issued to the person concerned on the 16 June 2015. On receipt of the completed forms, the IP claim will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The Department advises the person concerned to ensure that full and complete details of his/her medical condition(s), treatments, investigations, specialist reports etc are furnished at the outset to ensure a good quality decision on his claim and to avoid unnecessary delay.
173. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a jobseeker's allowance appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28292/15]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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.
