Written Answers Nos. 156-163
156. 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. [20032/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 11 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, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly social welfare support for himself and his spouse.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
157. 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. [20044/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 26 May 2016.
CA is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 17 June 2016 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 decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of community employment supervisors who have retired (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20051/16]
View answerMy colleague, Paschal Donohoe T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is responsible for issues relating to pension claims for community employment (CE) supervisors.
To this end, I understand that the Community Sector High Level Forum was reconvened in November 2015 to scope out the issue with the CE supervisor union representatives (SIPTU and Impact). These discussions are ongoing.
159. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will grant an allowance to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme. [20054/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 3 March 2016.
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people who have a disability such that they require that level of care.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
This application was refused on the grounds that person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.
The person concerned was notified on 18 April 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision is being prepared, as requested of the Department by the SWAO, and will shortly be forwarded to that office for determination.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
160. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appointments he has made to State boards since the move to the Public Appointments Service two years ago to date; the names of those appointed and the relevant position on each board; the names of those persons on the shortlist; the date when the shortlist was provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20072/16]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a Board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Details relating to appointments I have made to State boards as Minister for Social Protection are set out in the following table.
The Deputy will note that the table does not include details of those persons who were short-listed but not subsequently appointed. I am of the view that the names on such shortlists are covered by personal confidentiality and that the public interest would not be served by disclosing them.
Appointments to Boards made by Minister for Social Protection
|
Name of Board or Agency |
Name of Appointees |
Position Appointed to on the Board |
Date of Appointment |
Date Short List was Provided |
|
Citizens Information Board |
Dr. Joanne Mc Carthy Mr Cearbhall O’Meadhra Mr. John Sommers Mr. Niall Mulligan Ms. Tina Leonard Mr. Ian Power Ms. Mary Higgins |
Board member Board member Board member Board member Board member Board member Board member |
15 June 2016 Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. |
15 May 2016 Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. |
|
Pensions Authority |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Pensions Council |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Social Welfare Tribunal |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
161. 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. [20090/16]
View answerThe application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 5 July 2016 and the first payment is due to issue to the person’s nominated bank account on 14 July 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 26 November 2015 have issued to the bank for payment on 14 July 2016.
The person concerned was notified of these details on 5 July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
162. 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. [20091/16]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
163. 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. [20092/16]
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. 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
