Written Answers Nos. 301-320
301. 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. [23391/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 7 March 2016.
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.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim and attend at such office or place as an officer may direct.
As the person concerned has failed, without provision of good cause, to attend for interview with the SWI, the deciding officer has decided that the person concerned is not entitled to CA.
The person concerned was notified on 20 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
302. 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. [23392/16]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 14 June 2016 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
303. 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. [23393/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 25 July 2016. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.
304. 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. [23394/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 5 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 13 July 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.
305. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23395/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer's benefit from the person concerned on 28 June 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the 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, 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.
306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23396/16]
View answerFirstly, on behalf of myself and my department, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased on their recent bereavement.
Carer's benefit was awarded to the person concerned on 21 June 2016 with effect from 5 May 2016. The first payment issued to their nominated bank account on 21 June 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 20 June 2016 to 3 August 2016 have also issued to the bank. This payment includes six weeks payment after the death of the care recipient. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
307. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23397/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer's benefit from the person concerned on 24 May 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the 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, 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.
308. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme which has been with a social welfare inspector since 9 April 2016. [23400/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 19 January 2016.
The matter was referred to a local social welfare investigative officer (SWI) on 9 April 2016 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
The SWI has initiated inquiries and is now awaiting further information from the person in question.
Once the SWI has completed investigation and reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
310. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection the figures for his Department on the percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through certified leave and uncertified leave in each year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive. [23418/16]
View answerThe percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through certified leave and uncertified leave in each year from 2011 to 2015:
|
Year |
Percentage of Working Days Lost |
|
2011 |
6.3% |
|
2012 |
5.7% |
|
2013 |
5.5% |
|
2014 |
5.6% |
|
2015 |
5.7% |
311. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23446/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7 July 2016. 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.
312. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23449/16]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 20 June 2016. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the application a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual DA applications 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23451/16]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 10 June 2016. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the application a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual DA applications 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23453/16]
View answerI can confirm that an application for disability allowance (DA) was received from the above named person on 28 January 2016. On 19 May 2016 the person concerned was requested to provide supporting documentation, omitted from her application and required by the deciding officer (DO) in order to decide upon eligibility for DA. As these details were not received by the department the claim was disallowed on 8 July 2016. If the person in question wishes the application to be reconsidered by a DO, she should forward the necessary details as requested as soon as possible. She also has the right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
315. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23454/16]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on 27 May 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 12 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
316. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23455/16]
View answerThe person concerned applied for domiciliary care allowance in respect of her child on 4 February 2016. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A decision letter issued to her on 6 May 2016.
An appeal of this decision was registered on 26 May 2016 and additional information on her child's condition/care needs has been supplied. The application together with the new information supplied has been forwarded to a Medical Assessor for their professional opinion. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor's opinion, the case will be further examined by a deciding officer, who will revise the original decision if warranted or alternatively, forward the case for consideration by the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Such reviews can take up to 12 weeks to complete at present.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
317. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for family income supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23456/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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.
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure to be followed to apply for guardianship allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23525/16]
View answerA decision on entitlement to guardian's payment can only be made following receipt of a completed application form by the Department of Social Protection. An application form for guardian's payment has been sent to the person concerned for completion.
On return, a Deciding Officer will examine the person's eligibility for the scheme and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
319. Deputy Pearse Doherty 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. [23528/16]
View answerI confirm that my department received an application for carer's allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 5 January 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 28 April 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.
In the meantime, the spouse of the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly social welfare support including an increase for a qualified adult in respect of the person in question.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of an application for invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23551/16]
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 10 February 2016. Having taken all the available evidence into account, the person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 20 July 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
