Pat Breen
Question:428. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22285/16]
View answerCarer's Allowance Applications
Questions (428)
Written answers
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 24 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 29 June 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Questions (429)
Pat Breen
Question:429. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22286/16]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Questions (430)
Tom Neville
Question:430. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) and consider a request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/16]
View answerWritten answers
A person who is in receipt of a social welfare payment (other than jobseeker payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or who is being claimed as a qualified adult (QA) on their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant’s social welfare payment may qualify for a half-rate carer's allowance (CA), subject to all conditions being satisfied.
The person concerned is in receipt of full-rate CA since 23 July 2015. Her partner is in receipt of disability allowance (DA). The application for a QA increase on her partner’s DA is being examined and, if awarded, the CA payment in respect of the person in question will be reduced to half the current rate provided that these changes are financially advantageous to the couple.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Respite Care Grant Applications
Questions (431)
Tom Neville
Question:431. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a respite care grant application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22290/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for the Carer’s Support Grant (formerly called Respite Care Grant) was received in my Department on 30 June 2016. This application is being processed as expeditiously as possible having regard to the significant increase in the number of people applying for Carers Support Grant this year.
Once a decision has been made on this case the applicant will be notified.
Social Welfare Appeals Status
Questions (432)
Pat Breen
Question:432. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22291/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (433)
Jim Daly
Question:433. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the departmental papers and the comments of the deciding officer have not been forwarded to an appeals officer for an appeal that was registered in March 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22292/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 29 March 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 14 July 2016 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Payments
Questions (434)
Tom Neville
Question:434. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a qualified adult payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned has been awarded an increase for a qualified adult (QA) on his disability allowance claim from 22 July 2015. The first payment will issue by his selected payment method on 27 July 2016.
Arrears of the payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (435)
Pat Breen
Question:435. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22301/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 6 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (436)
Pat Breen
Question:436. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22302/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 28 October 2015.
The person concerned was refused carer’s allowance on the grounds that, based upon the evidence available, her means exceed the statutory limit. The person concerned was notified on 18 March 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
A review of this decision was requested and following this review the deciding officer decided that there was no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified of these details on 14 April 2016.
The person concerned has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission will be prepared, as required by the SWAO, as soon as possible and the file will be sent to the SWAO for determination.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Applications
Questions (437)
Pat Breen
Question:437. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22321/16]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 28 April 2016. In order to process the claim the person concerned was requested to complete the form fully and provide supporting documentation in relation to her circumstances. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (438)
Pat Breen
Question:438. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22323/16]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 13 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (439)
Tom Neville
Question:439. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position regarding an application for carer's allowance for a person (details supplied). [22326/16]
View answerWritten answers
The application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 7 June 2016 and the first payment was made on 23 June 2016. Arrears of allowance due from 23 July 2015 to 22 June 2016 have issued to the person’s nominated bank account for payment on 21 July 2016.
The person concerned was notified of these details on 13 July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Questions (440)
Peter Burke
Question:440. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [22350/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a disability allowance appeal by the person concerned has been registered in that office. 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Qualified Child Increase Payments
Questions (441)
Willie O'Dea
Question:441. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2017 of increasing the qualified child increase by €2, €3 and €5, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22357/16]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated full year cost in 2017 of increasing the qualified child increase by €2.00, €3.00, and €5.00 per week is €39.5 million, €59.3 million and €98.8 million respectively. These costings include the cost of increasing the back to work family dividend (BtWFD) by the same respective weekly increase. The rates of the BtWFD payment are currently equivalent to the full and half rates of the qualified child increase.
These costs are on a full year basis and assume that, where relevant, each increase is implemented from the beginning of January. It should be noted that these costings relate to 2017 and are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017.
Free Travel Scheme
Questions (442)
Willie O'Dea
Question:442. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected increase due to changing demographics in the number of persons availing of the free travel scheme over the next five years; the cost of maintaining the scheme at current levels, taking account of the projected increase in users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22358/16]
View answerWritten answers
There are currently approximately 853,000 people in Ireland in receipt of free travel at an annual cost of €80 million per annum.
The free travel scheme is available to all people aged over 66 living permanently in the State. Applicants who are under age 66, including those with learning disabilities, must be in receipt of a qualifying payment in order to qualify for the scheme. The qualifying payments for those aged under 66 are invalidity pension, blind pension, disability allowance, carer’s allowance or an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by EC Regulations or one with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement. Free travel is provided for people in receipt of carer’s allowance to facilitate their caring role and support their social inclusion.
Allocation of funding for the free travel scheme is dependent on a number of factors, including the number of people in receipt of qualifying benefits, the number of participating companies and routes, and fare levels, not all of which can be predicted 5 years in advance.
While changing demographics are expected to result in increased numbers of people qualifying for the travel pass, notably among pensioners, the payments to operators who accept the free travel pass are calculated on the basis of fares foregone (at a reduced rate to take account of travel generated by the free travel scheme), and not simply by the numbers who are entitled to a free travel pass. Other factors that can affect the overall cost include the number of operators who participate in the scheme and potential future fare increases by those operators.
Consequently, the funding for the subsequent 12 months is agreed in the context of the Budget process each year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Questions (443)
Thomas Pringle
Question:443. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22374/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 31 March 2016. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 28 July 2016. Any arrears due from the 31 March 2016 to the 27 July 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 the 12 July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
JobsPlus Scheme
Questions (444)
Brendan Howlin
Question:444. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an elected member of a local authority, who is currently in receipt of jobseeker's assistance, qualifies to take up employment through the JobsPlus scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22379/16]
View answerWritten answers
JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit employees who are long-term on the live register and those transitioning into employment. It provides employers with two levels of payment:
- €7,500 in respect of those who are 12 months or more on the live register; and
- A higher grant of €10,000 is paid in respect of those who have been unemployed for more than 24 months.
The incentive is paid in monthly instalments over a two year period provided the employment is maintained.
Eligibility has been broadened to include persons make the transition from the one-parent family payment to a jobseeker’s payment, as well as young jobseekers (under 25) who have been unemployed for at least four of the previous six months.
In keeping with current activation policy, as set out in the Pathways to Work, eligible employees under the JobsPlus incentive must be unemployed and recorded on the live register. Non live register payments are not considered eligible payment for JobsPlus incentive.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (445)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:445. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22466/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 28th 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. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. It can currently take 13 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (446)
Pat Breen
Question:446. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22498/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on 14 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. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. It can currently take 13 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Questions (447)
Willie Penrose
Question:447. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal against the refusal of carer's allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22556/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 April 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8 July 2016 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.