Written Answers Nos. 305-326
305. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the procedure for activating public service cards which is based on a telephone call, given that this is not appropriate for deaf persons; and if he will arrange for an alternative procedure to accommodate them. [15591/16]
View answerSAFE registration provides the most robust identity registration process in the State. It is based primarily on a face-to-face identity registration process that involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature, the verification of identity data already held by the Department through documentary and database checks, and facial image matching. Successful registration leads to the issue of a Public Services Card incorporating the captured photograph and signature.
When the Public Services Card is issued the customer is advised to contact the helpdesk to activate the card.
I am aware of the issue raised by the Deputy. My Department is currently working on changing the process to remove the need for this activation. It is hoped to have these changes in place by the Autumn.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
306. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme, including when his Department will issue a final decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15665/16]
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 November 2015. A deciding officer (DO) refused IP to the person concerned on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 18 January 2016 of this decision, the reasons 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 of her request. Following a review of all the information available the DO is now satisfied that the medical conditions for the scheme are satisfied.
The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 19 November 2015. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 30 June 2016. Any arrears due from 19 November 2015 to 29 June 2016 (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 13 June 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
307. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will include persons who are participating in part-time study courses under the back to education allowance scheme. [15682/16]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of second chance education opportunities for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities under the back to education programme. The objective is to raise education and skills among the long term unemployed to meet the requirements of the modern labour market. The back to education programme provides a comprehensive range of options from which an unemployed person can choose the option appropriate to his/her needs.
The back to education programme includes the back to education allowance (BTEA), the education, training and development option (ET&D) and the part-time education option (PTEO).
A person wishing to pursue a course of study on the BTEA must be pursuing a full time course of study leading to a recognised qualification and progressing in their level of education.
A person wishing to undertake a part-time course can apply for approval under the education, training and development option (ET&D) or the part-time education option (PTEO) and may continue to receive, subject to satisfying certain conditions, his/her existing social welfare payment while attending recommended courses. The Department’s Intreo staff will be happy to advise an individual of the option that might best suit their needs.
309. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the body which will assess the capacity of persons in receipt of payment under the illness benefit scheme and the disability allowance scheme to be selected for the proposed fit for work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15705/16]
View answer310. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to recruit medical professionals to conduct assessments under the fit for work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15706/16]
View answer311. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to change the assessment process under the illness benefit scheme and the disability allowance scheme and to introduce one-on-one assessments with a medical professional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15707/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 to 311, inclusive, together.
The recently agreed programme for a partnership Government provides for a range of actions that are designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. One of these actions is a proposal for the Departments of Health and Social Protection to work together to pursue a “Fit for Work Programme” to support more people with an illness or disability to get back to work through early intervention.
The “Fit for Work” proposal is based on the findings of a pan European study, which examined the impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on an individual’s ability to work. The Irish module of this study was progressed by a coalition of key stakeholders and was led by Arthritis Ireland. The Irish College of General Practitioners, ICTU, IBEC and the Health and Safety Authority also contributed to the study.
Early interventions and developing return to work practices in the case of people with musculoskeletal incapacities is consistent with my Department’s approach to illness/disability income support, which aims to reduce the number of people progressing to chronic disability and long-term social welfare dependency. To this end, my Department has in 2015, issued a set of certification guidelines for GPs, which sets out defined periods of recovery for common medical conditions, including MSDs.
The certification guidelines build on the “Renaissance project”, which is an initiative of my Department since 2003. This has shown that early intervention reduced the incidence of progression from the acute simple low back pain to chronic disability in 64% of claimants.
While specific proposals for a “Fit for Work Programme” require further development and examination, I would once again like to assure the Deputy that any such proposals will be in line with the body of evidence which shows that generally employment is good for one’s mental and physical health and wellbeing and that, conversely, unemployment is damaging.
Current assessment procedures provide that any question in respect of eligibility to illness/disability related schemes is decided by a deciding officer of my Department who may in arriving at a decision, seek and have regard to the opinion of a Medical Assessor. There are no current plans to alter these arrangements.
I hope that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
312. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims submitted, accepted, rejected and accepted on appeal under the illness benefit scheme and the disability allowance scheme in each of years 2013 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15708/16]
View answerThe information regarding overall numbers of claims submitted, accepted and rejected under the Illness Benefit Scheme and the Disability Allowance Scheme in each of years 2013 to 2016 to date is presented in the following table.
The information claims appealed for these schemes is available in Table 3: Outcome of Appeals by category of the Social Welfare Appeals Office Annual Reports for the years 2013 to 2015.
(http://www.socialwelfareappeals.ie/publications/category.html?id=7).
Illness Benefit
|
- |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
|||||||
|
To end May 2016 |
91,633 |
68,571 |
20,707 |
2,248 |
|||||||
|
2015 |
209,750 |
154,692 |
50,083 |
4,944 |
|||||||
|
2014 |
226,274 |
162,187 |
61,165 |
5,060 |
|||||||
|
2013 |
288,052 |
245,456 |
37,615 |
5,022 |
Disability Allowance
|
- |
Registered |
Awarded |
Rejected |
Withdrawn |
|||||||
|
To end May 2016 |
9,652 |
6,171 |
5,199 |
418 |
|||||||
|
2015 |
22,538 |
15,814 |
14,800 |
978 |
|||||||
|
2014 |
21,071 |
13,876 |
12,621 |
1,111 |
|||||||
|
2013 |
20,538 |
12,497 |
14,691 |
1,428 |
313. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of assessments the chief medical officer conducted in 2015 under the disability allowance scheme and the illness benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15709/16]
View answerThe total numbers of Disability Allowance and Illness Benefit assessments conducted in 2015 by Medical Assessors under the authority of the Chief Medical Officer, are set out in the following table.
|
Scheme |
Numbers of Assessments in 2015 |
|
Disability Allowance |
28,115 |
|
Illness Benefit |
27,882 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
314. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15723/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 31 July 2015. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 17 February 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned has requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
315. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when his Department will issue a decision to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15724/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 3 May 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, both the person concerned and his spouse are in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
316. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will publish the report on the impact of reduced payment rates to persons from 18 to 25 years of age under the jobseeker's scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15875/16]
View answerReduced rates for younger jobseeker’s allowance recipients were first introduced in 2009. Budget 2014 further extended the reduced rates to recipients under 26 years of age. This is a targeted measure aimed at protecting young people from welfare dependency. To guard against the development of welfare dependency I believe that it is necessary to provide young jobseekers with a strong financial incentive to engage in education or training or to take up employment. If a young jobseeker in receipt of the reduced jobseeker’s allowance rate participates on an education or training programme they will receive a higher weekly payment of €160.
The Youth Guarantee sets a medium-term objective of ensuring that all young people receive an offer of employment within four months of becoming unemployed. There is now monthly engagement with all young jobseekers. Youth unemployment rose rapidly in the recession to over 30% in 2012. According to the Quarterly National Household Survey for Quarter 1 2016, youth unemployment continues to fall in line with the overall recovery and now stands at 16.9%.
The review of jobseeker’s allowance rates for young persons under 26 years of age will examine the effectiveness of the reduced rates in encouraging young jobseekers to avail of education, training, employment programmes and opportunities. I hope that this review will be completed later this year, subject to the necessary data being available and the required level of analysis involved being completed. I am committed to ensuring my Department identifies effective measures to incentivise and support young people in finding and securing sustainable jobs. The best way to do this is through engagement processes and by incentivising them to avail of educational and training opportunities, thereby enhancing their employment prospects.
318. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered increasing income thresholds for eligibility for social protection payments given the commitment in the programme for Government to increase the minimum wage to €10.50 per hour over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15877/16]
View answerThe Department operates a range of means tested social assistance schemes where, in order to qualify for the payment, the claimant must satisfy a means test which takes into account the assets and income (including earnings) of the claimant and his or her spouse/partner.
The means test for earnings includes tapering arrangements, whereby a certain proportion of earnings are disregarded in order to provide a financial incentive to work. For instance, for jobseeker’s allowance recipients, the first €60 of earnings is disregarded (earned over a maximum of three days) and 60% of the remainder is assessed as means. Similarly, for one-parent family allowance and jobseeker’s transition recipients, the first €90 of earnings is disregarded and 50% of the remainder is assessed as means.
Increases in the minimum wage result in an overall financial gain for means-tested social welfare recipients who are working and on the minimum wage. In Budget 2016, the minimum wage increased from €8.65 to €9.15 per hour. Two other significant changes were introduced in the Budget which supported the beneficiaries of this increase. The Family Income Supplement income thresholds were increased by €5 per week for families with one child and by €10 per week for families with two or more children. In addition, a PRSI credit was introduced and benefits all workers earning between €352 and €424 per week including minimum wage workers whose weekly income is in this range. Workers earning less than €352 per week continue to be exempt for making an employee PRSI contribution.
Any changes to the earnings disregards or the income thresholds of social welfare schemes would have cost implications and would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
319. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the imminent closure of the WALK PEER programme in County Louth and the provisions he will put in place to provide alternative projects for the service users who will have no service from 1 August 2016. [15893/16]
View answerThe Providing Equal Employment Routes (PEER) project was one of 14 disability activation projects (DACT), in the Border, Midlands and West region, which were jointly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Social Protection (DSP), from the end of 2012 to April 2015. The project was delivered by the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK).
The objective of the DACT programme was to explore a variety of routes towards ensuring that people with disabilities were enabled to avail of progression, education and development opportunities within the world of work. The target group was young people with disabilities aged 16 – 24, including those with physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health problems, challenging behaviours, medical conditions and/or autism.
A key criterion applied when selecting projects was that the learning from this activity should be capable, where appropriate, of being mainstreamed in the future. Therefore, it is important to note that the projects were never intended to become ongoing service delivery organisations in their own right, no matter how successful the projects might have been.
It was on this basis that each of the DACT projects was awarded funding with a specified end date of 30 April 2015. However, in the closure phase of the programme, it was recognised by the Department that there would be a number of people still actively participating on some of the DACT projects, so a decision was made to provide funding to seven of the projects, which included the WALK PEER project, for a short period to the end of July 2015. This funding was provided so as to allow projects to ensure that their participants finished their involvement in an orderly manner. All funding ended to the projects in July 2016.
I understand that the WALK PEER project was subsequently successful in obtaining additional funding from a private sector organisation and I believe that it is this source of support that will terminate in July 2016.
Given the origin and history of the project as set out above, it should be clear why there is no provision in my Department's estimates to provide further funding to this project or alternative projects as suggested by the Deputy
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
320. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will approve an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer’s allowance scheme; if he will examine the medical evidence submitted; and if he will grant an oral hearing. [15898/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 3 February 2016. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 11 May 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. The person concerned has requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. If the person in question is not happy with the outcome of the review, she may appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office. The question of an oral hearing does not arise at this stage.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
321. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) under the respite care grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15922/16]
View answerThe Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) is paid automatically in June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), to carers who are in receipt of a qualifying payment on the first Thursday in June.
The CSG for the person concerned were issued to their nominated post office on 2 June 2016 and 9 June 2016 in respect of two care recipients.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15927/16]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on 6 April 2016. 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 applicant. It can currently take 12 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the respite care grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15928/16]
View answerAn application for the Carer’s Support Grant (formerly called Respite Care Grant) was received in my Department on 6th April 2016. This application is being processed as expeditiously as possible and a decision will be made shortly.
324. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when his Department will issue a decision to a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15950/16]
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 3 November 2015.
On the 6 November 2015, a deciding officer (DO) requested information from the person in question in order to process the claim and decide upon the correct rate of entitlement.
Despite the issue of a reminder on 18 December 2015, no information was received by my department until 04 May 2016. The DO has reviewed the claim and has requested further information from the person in question in order to decide upon her entitlement to an increase for a qualified adult. As soon as this information has been received from the claimant the IP claim will be finalised as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection why a payment his Department recently awarded to a person (details supplied) was only backdated to March 2016 given that the person applied in January 2016 under the invalidity pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15953/16]
View answerWhere a person is found to be eligible, invalidity pension (IP) is awarded from the first Thursday after the date of receipt of the application. I confirm that the Department received an application for IP from the person concerned on 15 March 2016 and he has been awarded IP with effect from 17 March 2016, the first Thursday after date of receipt. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 16 June 2016. Any arrears due from 17 March 2016 to 15 June 2016 (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 27 May 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
326. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15957/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 7 December 2015.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a deciding officer will make a decision as quickly as possible. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
