Written Answers Nos. 101-121
101. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41188/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 12 August 2015. Some additional information in relation to the person’s employment was required and was requested by the deciding officer on 12 November 2015. Once the information is received the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
102. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will address the concerns set out in correspondence (details supplied) regarding pensions, her plans to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41192/15]
View answerThe State pension (contributory) is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Since 1961, when contributory pensions were first introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating pension entitlement. Once over 16 years of age, the date a person enters into insurable employment is the date used for averaging purposes.
The social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners who have been less attached to the workforce. The homemaker’s scheme makes qualification for State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect from 1994, may allow up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age (or caring for incapacitated people over that age) to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes.
Where someone does not qualify for a full rate contributory pension, they may qualify for an alternative payment. If their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State pension (non-contributory), which amounts to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.
The difference between the maximum rate of the State pension (contributory) and the maximum rate of the State pension (non-contributory) is €11.30, therefore if the State pension is the only source of income, it would not generally be reduced by €45 unless the person concerned had other means, and/or they have not made a claim for the non-contributory pension. If a person is in receipt of a contributory pension reduced by €45 and they have no other means, they should contact my Department with a view to making a claim for the State pension (non-contributory).
Work is under way to replace the ‘yearly average’ system with a ‘total contributions approach’. Under this approach, the rate of pension paid will more closely reflect the number of contributions recorded over a working life. It is expected that this will replace the current system for new pensioners from 2020, although that date is subject to change, as this is a very significant reform with considerable legal, administrative, and technical challenges to be overcome in its implementation. When proposals are agreed, legislation will be brought forward to underpin the necessary changes.
103. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on staff who work in community employment and who are based in child care facilities, and the new rules which will not include them as part of the staff ratios; the implications this will have for these persons; the opportunity for these persons to progress into full-time employment through community employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41194/15]
View answerThe staffing ratio rules to which the Deputy refers are the responsibility of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and the HSE.
The Community Employment (CE) programme is a valuable resource in the provision of a range of services to communities, including childcare services. The Department introduced a new CE Childcare Strand at the beginning of 2013 under which there is a dedicated childcare educational programme at FETAC Level 5 for CE participants who work directly with children. This programme has led to the re-structuring of CE childcare provision which will improve the career path for participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. These improvements provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community childcare. The FETAC Major 5 Award is the entry level requirement to work as a basic practitioner in childcare.
From the Department’s perspective, the status of a CE participant attached to a community childcare centre is, in the first instance, that of a jobseeker seeking a qualification in early childhood education. CE participants are not deemed to be qualified staff but learners in childcare settings.
104. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41224/15]
View answerThe department has received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned. In order to establish the means of the person concerned, the department has requested necessary documentation from her. When those documents are received from the person concerned, the department expects to be in a position to make a decision on her eligibility for DA.
105. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is in urgent need of a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41231/15]
View answerThe application for disability allowance (DA) from the person in question was disallowed on 10 November 2015 by a deciding officer (DO). The grounds for the disallowance were, based upon the evidence provided, that he does not satisfy the medical conditions for the scheme.
The person in question was notified of this decision, the reason(s) for it and was advised of his rights to have the decision reviewed by a DO, with or without the submission of additional evidence, or to lodge an appeal with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a respite care grant is not being awarded for 2014 to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; if any information remains outstanding, given that all the required information was submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41233/15]
View answerThe person concerned was requested to supply some additional details in connection with her claim for the 2014 Respite Care Grant, which she failed to do. My Department accordingly wrote to her on 23rd October 2015 advising her that it was unable to take any further action with her application in the absence of this information. My Department is still awaiting a reply.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is eligible for a fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41281/15]
View answerThe person in question is in receipt of invalidity pension. An application for the national fuel scheme (fuel allowance) was received from the person concerned on 17 November 2015 and he has been assessed as eligible for fuel allowance with effect from October 2015 - the start of the 2015/16 fuel season. The person in question was notified on 18 November 2015 of this decision.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has received all the relevant information relating to an application for a rent allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare which was submitted recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41285/15]
View answerThe client concerned provided the Department with relevant outstanding documentation on 11th November 2015 after which the claim was awarded.
109. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current number of participants in the JobBridge and community employment schemes, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41296/15]
View answerJobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, commenced in July 2011 and to date has attracted the participation of 44,388 participants and over 18,000 Host Organisations. There are currently 4,865 participants on the programme.
The JobBridge Scheme was introduced as an extraordinary response to the unprecedented collapse in the economy – particularly the sharp increase in unemployment. Independent research indicates a progression rate to employment of over 60%, the highest of any of our employment schemes.
Notwithstanding the success of the scheme, the Department has commissioned another independent evaluation. The results of the evaluation are expected in early 2016 and will inform any further changes to the scheme.
Community Employment (CE) is the largest employment programme administered by the Department and is a valuable resource for both jobseekers and communities. Currently, there are almost 24,000 participants and nearly 1,400 supervisors employed on the programme at a cost of approximately €373m in 2015.
As the Deputy will be aware, CE aims to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. In addition, it helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a regular work routine.
The following table outlines the current and total numbers of JobBridge and Community Employment participants by County.
Table 1. JobBridge Participants by County - Figures as at 19 th November, 2015
|
County |
Finished |
Current |
Total |
|
Dublin |
12,874 |
1,336 |
14,210 |
|
Cork |
3,602 |
436 |
4,038 |
|
Galway |
2,561 |
281 |
2,842 |
|
Limerick |
2,100 |
297 |
2,397 |
|
Kildare |
1,419 |
169 |
1,588 |
|
Waterford |
1,285 |
175 |
1,460 |
|
Donegal |
1,279 |
175 |
1,454 |
|
Tipperary |
1,276 |
163 |
1,439 |
|
Kerry |
1,187 |
205 |
1,392 |
|
Wexford |
1,138 |
155 |
1,293 |
|
Louth |
1,042 |
170 |
1,212 |
|
Mayo |
1,073 |
138 |
1,211 |
|
Westmeath |
999 |
130 |
1,129 |
|
Meath |
975 |
127 |
1,102 |
|
Wicklow |
833 |
100 |
933 |
|
Clare |
837 |
93 |
930 |
|
Sligo |
763 |
84 |
847 |
|
Monaghan |
673 |
99 |
772 |
|
Kilkenny |
576 |
82 |
658 |
|
Laois |
574 |
79 |
653 |
|
Cavan |
561 |
68 |
629 |
|
Offaly |
531 |
75 |
606 |
|
Carlow |
510 |
86 |
596 |
|
Roscommon |
336 |
52 |
388 |
|
Longford |
294 |
35 |
329 |
|
Leitrim |
225 |
48 |
273 |
|
Totals |
39,523 |
4,865 |
44,388 |
Table 2. Community Employment participants by County - Figures as at 31 October, 2015
|
County |
Current |
Total 2015 YTD |
|
CARLOW |
389 |
500 |
|
CAVAN |
338 |
476 |
|
CLARE |
603 |
778 |
|
CORK |
2,062 |
2677 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,150 |
1622 |
|
DUBLIN |
5,670 |
7655 |
|
GALWAY |
1,436 |
1946 |
|
KERRY |
1,006 |
1340 |
|
KILDARE |
886 |
1089 |
|
KILKENNY |
460 |
583 |
|
LAOIS |
305 |
404 |
|
LEITRIM |
148 |
206 |
|
LIMERICK |
1,326 |
1672 |
|
LONGFORD |
350 |
415 |
|
LOUTH |
836 |
1153 |
|
MAYO |
762 |
1006 |
|
MEATH |
519 |
638 |
|
MONAGHAN |
417 |
578 |
|
OFFALY |
405 |
518 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
353 |
456 |
|
SLIGO |
457 |
628 |
|
TIPPERARY |
928 |
1333 |
|
WATERFORD |
864 |
1178 |
|
WESTMEATH |
623 |
786 |
|
WEXFORD |
976 |
1285 |
|
WICKLOW |
607 |
801 |
|
Grand Total |
23,876 |
31723 |
110. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for a disability allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41303/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 10 November 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.
111. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding JobPath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41310/15]
View answerBriefings on JobPath were provided by Department officials to Oireachtas members on 16 July 2015 and 29 September 2015 and copies of the briefing material were provided to all members.
JobPath is a new approach to employment activation that will support people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain full-time, paid employment.
Following the completion of a rigorous public procurement process, two companies were selected to provide the JobPath service - Turas Nua Limited and Seetec Limited.
JobPath in Ireland is not the same as the Work Programme operated by the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK, referenced in the correspondence provided by the Deputy. JobPath was designed following an open consultation process (a number of open fora were attended by a wide range of participants), with input from labour market experts in Ireland and abroad and taking account of international experience. The Department was also advised by the Centre for Social and Economic Inclusion in the design of JobPath.
Participants on JobPath will receive intensive individual support to help them address barriers to employment and to assist them in finding jobs. They are also provided with a range of training and development supports including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills and where a need is identified, a client may be referred for further education and training opportunities provided by ETBs and others. These training and development supports may be accredited by FETAC or lead to an industry recognised certification.
JobPath providers are paid based on outcomes – they receive a fee for each thirteen week period of full time employment (30 hours per week) secured for a client. The fee is paid in arrears and a maximum of four fees are paid (i.e. 12 months employment). This fee structure ensures that the providers are incentivised to find sustained employment for JobPath clients and to work with JobPath clients to help them transition into, and remain in, employment.
Participants are selected by the Department – the companies have no say in the selection process. Jobseekers will spend a year on JobPath and if they are placed into a job they will continue to receive support from a Personal Advisor for at least three months and up to twelve months while in employment. Should a client lose a job while on JobPath, their Personal Advisor will continue to work with them to help them obtain further employment and the department’s Intreo Centres will expedite payment of their welfare entitlements.
JobPath is one of a range of activation supports, including schemes such as CE and TÚS, catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers. In general, and JobPath is not an exception, it is not possible for clients to participate in two separate schemes at the same time. In addition, given the need to manage the allocation of places effectively, the Department does not facilitate or encourage jobseekers to leave one scheme early in order to take up a place on another scheme. This approach is particularly relevant in the case of JobPath whereby providers are paid on the basis of outcomes; it is important that the service providers have the opportunity and the time to achieve the outcome – which is to help the jobseeker secure and sustain full-time employment. On completion of JobPath, participation in other schemes and programmes remains an option that will be assessed by the Department’s case officers.
It is important to note that all decisions regarding a person’s welfare entitlements while on JobPath will be taken only by Department officials and not by the JobPath companies. In addition the process for sanctioning clients, who do not engage with the JobPath activation process, is exactly the same as the process for clients who fail to engage with any of the Department’s other activation programmes. Again this process is operated by the Department’s own staff and not by the JobPath providers.
Significant safeguards have been built into JobPath. These include a service guarantee to ensure that all participants receive a baseline level of service as well as penalties for the companies if service performance or service quality does not meet set standards. JobPath is also structured such that the companies cannot recover their costs or make any profit unless and until they get people into sustainable jobs. The rates paid to contractors are also linked to performance in the wider economy. Automatic discounts apply if employment growth exceeds our medium term forecasts. In addition, both companies will be subject to regular on-site inspections and audits to ensure that JobPath is delivered in accordance with contractual obligations. Payments are also subject to the results of independent customer satisfaction surveys that will be commissioned by the Department.
Seetec was accused of fraudulent activity by former staff members in 2013. This alleged fraud related to claims that Seetec inflated employment outcomes for people with disabilities under the 'Work Choices' programme in the UK. The DWP has publicly refuted these claims and advised the UK’s Public Accounts Committee that it has investigated the claims and found no wrongdoing. The potential for inflating figures has been taken into consideration in the design of JobPath. The Department is satisfied that artificial inflation of employment outcomes will be controlled in Ireland though the use of data matching with Revenue Commencement of Employment records and the Department’s own welfare payment systems.
Turas Nua is a new joint venture between FRS recruitment, based in Roscrea, and Working Links, a not for profit UK service provider. It has been acknowledged by Working Links that some members of its staff incorrectly recorded employment and training placement for jobseekers under the 'New Deal', the precursor programme in the UK to the Work Programme. However the DWP has publicly stated that the errors occurred in 2008 as a consequence of its heavy reliance on paper-based transactions and that it is satisfied that these cases were investigated thoroughly by Working Links (the amount involved represented less than 0.05% of the payments at the time) and that appropriate actions were taken, with the associated amounts being repaid. DWP has subsequently awarded additional contracts to Working Links.
It is important to note, that neither of the above companies has been sanctioned by the DWP for any fraudulent activity.
JobPath is being rolled out in offices across the country and is expected to be fully implemented in the first quarter of 2016. The cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of jobseekers who are referred and the number who secure sustainable employment. Finally, Turas Nua has confirmed that the questions asked of clients regarding criminality are in the process of being removed from their diagnostic assessment.
112. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive a decision on an application for a disability allowance; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41342/15]
View answerI confirm the department received an application for disability allowance from the person in question on 6 October 2015. In order to determine the circumstances of the person concerned, his file was forwarded to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI). S/he will arrange to meet with the person in question as soon as possible.
A decision on his entitlement to disability allowance will be given on receipt of the SWI’s report. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
113. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41349/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 13 August 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal under the invalidity pension scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41352/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22nd October 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.
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent support will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41372/15]
View answerAll changes in circumstances should be immediately notified to the Department. The client concerned should submit current payslips and an up to date Rent Supplement application form confirming an increase in monthly rent to allow their entitlement be re-assessed.
116. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the State pension (non-contributory) to €228 per week and the State pension (contributory) to €245 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41379/15]
View answerAs a result of Budget 2016, the maximum personal rate of the State Pension Non Contributory (SPNC) is increasing by €3 in January 2016, from €219 per week to €222 per week. The cost of increasing SPNC by an additional €6 to €228 per week is €30.1 million in a full year, including proportional increases for qualified adults.
The maximum personal rate of the State Pension Contributory (SPC) is also increasing by €3 in January 2016, from €230.30 per week to €233.30 per week. The cost of increasing SPC by a further €11.70 is €249.4 million in a full year (including proportional increases for qualified adults, and for those on reduced rates).
One of the aims of the social welfare Budget package for 2016 was to increase supports for pensioners aged 66 and over. More than 676,500 pensioners and their dependants will benefit from the €3 increase in the weekly rate of payments to all social welfare recipients aged 66 and over. This is the first weekly rate increase for pensioners since 2009 and builds on the increase in the Living Alone Allowance last year. This is the first general rate increase for pensioners since 2009.
I was also pleased to reintroduce a Christmas Bonus payable at 25% of the weekly rate last year. This year I am in a position to provide a 75% Christmas Bonus payment for all welfare recipients, including pensioners. For example, in the case of a pensioner couple, both in receipt of the non-contributory State Pension, it will mean a bonus payment of €328.50.
In addition, pensioners eligible for the Fuel Allowance will gain from the increase in January of €2.50 per week, from €20 to €22.50 per week over the fuel season.
Funding for the Free Travel scheme, which benefits a large number of pensioners, is being increased by €3m, from €77m to €80m, to meet increased numbers eligible for the scheme and therefore fully protect entitlements under the scheme.
Finally, pensioners who have income over and above their social welfare pension may also benefit from the USC changes introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will re-examine an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41410/15]
View answerCarer’s allowance (CA) is a payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to relevant persons with disabilities who require that level of care and whose income falls below certain limits.
An application for CA was received on 12/2/2014 in respect of the relevant person and CA was subsequently awarded from 13/2/2014.
Where an applicant can show good cause as to why they did not apply at an earlier date, an application can be backdated a maximum of 6 months. Where they can show that the failure to make a claim was due to incorrect information given by an officer of this Department or because they were too incapacitated to make a claim, the application can be backdated further.
The person concerned applied to have his CA payment backdated but supplied little detail concerning the reason(s) that the application was not made at the relevant time. The deciding officer has, based on the evidence supplied, disallowed back-dating in this case and that decision has been reviewed and upheld. The person concerned was notified on 20 November 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of appeal.
However, it is open to the person in question to supply further details in relation to the reasons for not applying for CA in time and the department will be happy to look into the circumstances and to review the decision again.
119. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current number of persons participating in the JobBridge scheme, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41469/15]
View answerJobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, commenced in July 2011 and to date has attracted the voluntary participation of 44,388 participants and over 18,000 Host Organisations. There are currently 4,865 participants on the programme.
The following table outlines the current numbers of JobBridge participants by County.
The scheme was introduced as an extraordinary and temporary response to the unprecedented collapse in the economy – particularly the sharp increase in unemployment. Independent research indicates a progression rate to employment of over 60%, the highest of any of our employment schemes.
Notwithstanding the success of the scheme, the Department has commissioned another independent evaluation. The results of the evaluation are expected in early 2016 and will inform any further changes to the scheme.
Table 1. JobBridge Participants by County - Figures as at 19 th November, 2015
|
County |
Finished |
Current |
Total |
|
Dublin |
12,874 |
1,336 |
14,210 |
|
Cork |
3,602 |
436 |
4,038 |
|
Galway |
2,561 |
281 |
2,842 |
|
Limerick |
2,100 |
297 |
2,397 |
|
Kildare |
1,419 |
169 |
1,588 |
|
Waterford |
1,285 |
175 |
1,460 |
|
Donegal |
1,279 |
175 |
1,454 |
|
Tipperary |
1,276 |
163 |
1,439 |
|
Kerry |
1,187 |
205 |
1,392 |
|
Wexford |
1,138 |
155 |
1,293 |
|
Louth |
1,042 |
170 |
1,212 |
|
Mayo |
1,073 |
138 |
1,211 |
|
Westmeath |
999 |
130 |
1,129 |
|
Meath |
975 |
127 |
1,102 |
|
Wicklow |
833 |
100 |
933 |
|
Clare |
837 |
93 |
930 |
|
Sligo |
763 |
84 |
847 |
|
Monaghan |
673 |
99 |
772 |
|
Kilkenny |
576 |
82 |
658 |
|
Laois |
574 |
79 |
653 |
|
Cavan |
561 |
68 |
629 |
|
Offaly |
531 |
75 |
606 |
|
Carlow |
510 |
86 |
596 |
|
Roscommon |
336 |
52 |
388 |
|
Longford |
294 |
35 |
329 |
|
Leitrim |
225 |
48 |
273 |
|
Totals |
39,523 |
4,865 |
44,388 |
120. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current number of persons participating in community employment schemes, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41470/15]
View answerThe table below details the number of CE participants and Supervisors by County, as at 31/10/2015. Source: CSM.
CE PARTICIPANTS as at 31.10.2015
|
COUNTY |
Total |
|
CARLOW |
389 |
|
CAVAN |
338 |
|
CLARE |
603 |
|
CORK |
2,062 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,150 |
|
DUBLIN |
5,670 |
|
GALWAY |
1,436 |
|
KERRY |
1,006 |
|
KILDARE |
886 |
|
KILKENNY |
460 |
|
LAOIS |
305 |
|
LEITRIM |
148 |
|
LIMERICK |
1,326 |
|
LONGFORD |
350 |
|
LOUTH |
836 |
|
MAYO |
762 |
|
MEATH |
519 |
|
MONAGHAN |
417 |
|
OFFALY |
405 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
353 |
|
SLIGO |
457 |
|
TIPPERARY |
928 |
|
WATERFORD |
864 |
|
WESTMEATH |
623 |
|
WEXFORD |
976 |
|
WICKLOW |
607 |
|
Grand Total |
23,876 |
121. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, given that the person has submitted all relevant information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41482/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 5 November 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.
