Written Answers Nos. 48-52
48. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a file concerning an application for a invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has not been forwarded to the appeals office, given that the appeal was lodged in April 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36722/15]
View answerOn receipt of additional medical evidence submitted in support of the appeal of the person in question against disallowance of invalidity pension, a review of the claim was carried out by a deciding officer. As a result, the person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 04 September 2014. Therefore, the appeal is no longer required.
Payment will issue to his nominated Post Office on the 12 November 2015. Any arrears due from the 04 September 2014 to 11 November 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 19 October 2015.
49. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is aware, of any labour complaints in relation to a company (details supplied) in County Dublin; that the company receives grant-aid and allowances for job creation from her Department; if she will set up an independent review into the conduct of the company; and the use of her Department's funds; and if she will report back on any abuses of these schemes by the company. [36730/15]
View answerI understand that the Department provides wage subsidies to the company referred to by the Deputy under the JobsPlus Scheme. The Department has not been made aware nor has it received any labour complaints in relation to the company.
50. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a review of a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36734/15]
View answerFollowing submission of further medical evidence and a review of her medical eligibility, the decision of a deciding officer (DO) to disallow disability allowance (DA) has been revised and the person concerned has been awarded DA with effect from 13 May 2015. The first payment was made to the person in question on 7 October 2015.
Arrears of payment due will issue in due course once any necessary adjustment is made in respect of other overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding payments.
51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is aware, of the difficulties facing former members of the Permanent Defence Force participating in community employment schemes, or similar schemes, or training schemes, as they are not eligible to sign on for social welfare payments or credits, that many of these former members of the Defence Force completed their service at a young age, and are anxious to participate in the labour force and-or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36757/15]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme with the aim of progression into employment and/or further education and training for jobseekers that have been unemployed for a minimum of one year and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. The eligibility information for the scheme is available on www.welfare.ie. For those who do not meet the published CE eligibility criteria, it is recommended that they contact their local DSP Intreo Office to discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.
52. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36759/15]
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.
The Department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on the 16 January 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 10 March 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO).
The person concerned appealed the decision to the SWAO and an Appeals Officer (AO) recently has allowed the appeal in his case. The case is currently with a deciding officer for implementation of the AO decision. The person concerned is currently in receipt of a weekly Disability Allowance payment from the Department.
