Written Answers Nos. 95-104
95. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3565/17]
View answerI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 19 October 2016.
On 17 January 2017 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
96. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an overpayment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3567/17]
View answerThe person concerned incurred a carer’s allowance debt amounting to €14,436.20 from 2 December 2010 to 11 January 2012. She had recently been repaying this debt by way of a €10.00 weekly deduction from her jobseeker’s allowance (JA). To date €2,052.80 has been repaid leaving a balance outstanding of €12,383.40.
As the person concerned was recently awarded disability allowance (DA), her repayments from JA stopped. On 7 December 2016 a letter issued to her proposing to recover the balance of her debt by weekly deductions of €28.20 from her DA. The person concerned was offered the opportunity to comment on these recovery proposals.
Following contact from her, a letter was issued on 24 January 2017 informing her that weekly deductions of €10.00 per week will commence on 1 February 2017 from her DA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
97. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3579/17]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received in respect of this child on the 18th November 2016. The application will be considered by a Deciding Officer and the decision notified to the applicant as soon as possible. It is currently taking up to 14 weeks from date of receipt to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
98. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of his Department's investigation into disguised employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3612/17]
View answer‘Disguised employment’ is a broad term which refers to the incorrect classification of a worker for PRSI purposes, which in turn can affect their entitlement to social insurance benefits. It can also affect the tax liability of a worker. Examples of disguised employment include the use of intermediary type structures and various forms of ‘dependent’ self-employment, e.g. where there is limited entrepreneurial risk and a degree of control.
An interdepartmental working group, comprising officials from the Department of Social Protection, Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, has been examining the issue of disguised employment.
To inform the work of the group, a public consultation on the use of intermediary type employment structures and self-employment arrangements, and its impact on tax and PRSI, was undertaken in 2016. The consultation received 23 submissions from interested parties on possible measures to address the potential loss to the Exchequer under arrangements (i) where an individual, who would otherwise be an employee, establishes a company to provide his or her services, and (ii) where an individual, who is dependent on, and under the control of, a single employer in the same manner as an employee, is classified as self-employed.
A report on the consultation is currently being been finalised by the working group, which I and my colleague the Minister for Finance will consider in due course.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
99. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3631/17]
View answerCarer's Allowance (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.
My department informs me that, to date, no application for CA has been received from the person concerned.
Accordingly, I have arranged for an application form (CR1) to issue, which he should complete and return as soon as possible, in order that my Department may determine his entitlement to CA. If he has already submitted an application in the past few days, there is no need to re-submit a new application and my Department will be in touch in relation to the application in due course.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
100. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a claim for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied) whose social welfare appeal was allowed on 5 December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3632/17]
View answerAn application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 3 February 2016.
As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 24 January 2017 and the first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 2 February 2017. Arrears for the period 4 February 2016 to 1 February 2017 have also issued to his nominated bank.
The person concerned was notified on 24 January 2017 of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
101. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting times for the processing of maternity benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3635/17]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
In general, maternity claims are processed within 6 weeks of receipt at present.
I would encourage maternity benefit customers to submit their applications as early as possible and use the on-line application process, if possible, as this facilitates speedy claim processing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
102. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting times for the processing of paternity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3636/17]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
Paternity benefit is a new scheme introduced in September 2106. To support the scheme a new technical platform that is capable of accepting online applications and supporting officer decision making was developed. In general, paternity claims are processed within 6 weeks of receipt at present.
I would encourage paternity benefit customers to submit their applications as early as possible and use the on-line application process for speedy processing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
103. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a PPS number; if so, the way in which the person can secure a PPS number; the place that the application for a PPS number should be directed; and the supporting documentation for a PPS number that needs to be provided. [3662/17]
View answerThe requirements for the allocation of a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number are:
- acceptable evidence of identity, which for Canadian citizens is a current valid passport;
- evidence as to why a PPS Number is required (i.e., to carry out a transaction with a State body specified in legislation as permitted to use the PPS Number); and
- acceptable evidence of address (e.g., a utility bill in the person’s name).
Further detailed information on the allocation of PPS Numbers is available on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Public-Service-Identity_holder.aspx.
Persons living in Dublin seeking a PPS Number should attend the PPS Number allocation centre at Parnell Street, and appointments are booked via www.MyWelfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
104. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer’s allowance that was submitted by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3677/17]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 27th January 2017, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the 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.
