Written Answers Nos. 1265-1284
1265. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in making a decision on an application by persons (details supplied) for a disability allowance. [36293/18]
View answerThere is no record of an application for disability allowance (DA) for the first named person in this question.
The second named person submitted an application for DA on 9 October 2017. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this gentleman was substantially restricted in taking up employment. It was also refused on failing to supply information requested by my department.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 28 May 2018. An appeal was received from this gentleman on 21 June 2018. He also submitted further medical evidence and some of the information previously requested on 12 March 2018.
A request for the outstanding information has been sent to the person concerned. On receipt of this information his claim will be reviewed prior to submitting documents to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
1266. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal by a person (details supplied) in relation to their claim for invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36318/18]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22nd May 2018. 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 28th June 2018 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 Employment Affairs and 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.
1267. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a review of an application by a person (details supplied) for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36319/18]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 22 November 2016.
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 their claim.
Following the completion of the SWI investigation, a deciding officer decided on 06 July 2018 that CA could only be awarded from 18 January 2018 as the person concerned had failed to provide evidence as to the nature and degree of his employment prior to that date.
The person concerned was notified on 12 July 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
A request for review was received on 24 July 2018, however as the person concerned has not provided any new information regarding his caring duties, employment or means prior to 18 January 2018, the outcome of the review is that the original decision remains unchanged.
The person concerned was notified on 1 August 2018 of this outcome, the reason for it and of his right of appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1268. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason payment of occupational injuries benefit to a person (details supplied) ceased; if same will now issue to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36320/18]
View answerThe Department has recently introduced a new claim form (called “IB1”) and a new medical certificate (called “MED1”) to replace the previous MC1 and MC2 forms for certification of the Department’s Illness and Injury Benefit schemes. This change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department’s Illness Benefit section which took effect from Monday 6th August. The Department’s intention in implementing this modernisation programme - including the changes to forms - is to improve the certification processes and to make claim and payment procedures more efficient for everyone involved – GPs, patients and the Department.
Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date. In order to facilitate the continued payment of Illness and Injury Benefit to our customers, the Department has, to date, continued to accept old MC1 and MC2 forms where provided by GPs. While the continued use of old forms is causing delays to our processing times, the Department is doing everything possible to ensure that customers are paid as quickly as possible.
The person concerned made an Occupational Injury Benefit claim from 15/06/2018. Payment was issued up to 02/08/2018 on foot of MC2 medical certificates.
The payment delay occurred as a result of the use of the old forms, as opposed to the new MED1 certificates. However, all payments have now been issued and the claim is up to date.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1270. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if illness benefit will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36355/18]
View answerIllness Benefit is a short term scheme intended for persons who are unable to work due to illness or injury. It is paid while the incapacitated person remains unable to work and continues to meet the conditions of the scheme. There is, however, a maximum payment period of two years after which payment will cease.
The person concerned made an Illness Benefit claim on 03/05/2017. My Department has reviewed the claim and has issued all arrears due to him.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1271. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36366/18]
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 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 Employment Affairs and 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.
1272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36367/18]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21st June 2018. 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 Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4th July 2018 and were referred to an Appeals Officer on 20th August 2018, 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 Employment Affairs and 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.
1273. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36370/18]
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 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 Employment Affairs and 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.
1274. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36381/18]
View answerIllness Benefit (IB) is a payment for persons who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. During the course of a claim a person can be referred for examination by one of my Department’s Medical Assessors to ensure that the conditions for receipt of the payment continue to be satisfied.
In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, IB was disallowed from 27th June 2017 as it was held that it had not been proven that the person concerned was incapable of work.
The decision was appealed and, following a revised decision by the independent Appeals Office, the appeal has been allowed.
The person concerned was paid as a qualifying adult on their spouse’s IB claim during the period they appealed the disallowance of their claim.
All arrears due from 27th June 2017 to 15th July 2017, when his entitlement to IB ended, were paid on 6th June 2018. However, arrears of €362.95 were withheld to offset the amount paid to him as a qualifying adult on his spouse’s IB claim.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1275. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in issuing illness benefit payments; if she will clarify same with regard to the change in the processing system for sick certificates; the way in which this change was communicated to those in receipt of the payment and to general practitioners that are required to fill out the forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36382/18]
View answerThe Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has recently introduced a new claim form (called “IB1”) and a new medical certificate (called “MED1”) to replace the previous MC1 and MC2 forms for certification of the Department’s Illness and Injury Benefit schemes. This change is part of a programme of modernisation in the Department’s Illness Benefit section which took effect from Monday 6th August. The Department’s intention in implementing this modernisation programme - including the changes to forms - is to improve the certification processes and to make claim and payment procedures more efficient for everyone involved – GPs, patients and the Department. The introduction of the new forms was discussed with the Irish Medical Organisation in advance.
The majority of certificates and claim forms being received each day by the Department are the new scannable versions and these claims are being paid without any delays.
Some GPs have continued to use the old forms after this changeover date. In order to facilitate the continued payment of Illness and Injury Benefit to our customers, the Department has, to date, continued to accept old MC1 and MC2 forms where provided by GPs. While the continued use of old forms has been causing delays to our processing times, my Department is doing everything possible to ensure that customers are paid as quickly as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1276. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a partial capacity benefit application has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36384/18]
View answerPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person who has been in receipt of Illness Benefit for six months and who may not have full capacity for work, to return to employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment from my Department. An Illness Benefit customer who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a Medical Assessor who will review the restriction, if any, on their capacity for work. A person assessed with a moderate level of work incapacity will receive 50% of their current payment, a person assessed with a severe level will receive 75% of their payment and a person assessed with a profound level will get full payment.
The person concerned currently has a claim for Illness Benefit and has made an application for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB). This application was received on 19th June 2018. The application has been referred to a Medical Assessor for an opinion on the level of work restriction. The person concerned has now had their application assessed and a letter has issued to him with the result.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
1277. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36386/18]
View answerI confirm that an application from this gentleman for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 13 April 2018.
The processing time for individual DA claims 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.
The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36387/18]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 23 May 2018. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this lady was substantially restricted in taking up employment. She was also deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for her circumstances.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 23 August 2018 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
1279. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36388/18]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 13 April 2018. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this lady was substantially restricted in taking up employment. She was also deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for her circumstances.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 20 June 2018 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
1280. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position in her Department and the organisations under its aegis that have arrangements in place for lo-call numbers or 1800, 1850 and 1890 phone numbers for members of the public to contact her Department or organisations under its aegis; the number of these that are completely free to call to persons that use mobile phones and may incur major bills phoning such organisations; if the situation will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36398/18]
View answerTelephone is an important communications channel for many of my Department’s customers and measures aimed at reducing the potential costs for callers have been in operation for many years.
Among them is the use of “LoCall” numbers, operated through the “1890” platform. These numbers, coupled with interactive voice response technology have combined to facilitate customers making quick contact with the appropriate section of the Department at a low cost to the caller, when calling from a landline number.
“1890” is just one of a group of non-geographic numbers (NGNs) which are used by a wide variety of service providers in Ireland. The original intention underpinning the use of this facility by my Department was to enable customers to make national calls for the equivalent cost of a local call.
The telecommunications landscape in Ireland has changed significantly since then and I am aware that these numbers were introduced at a time when landlines predominated. As such, I am also aware that "1890" numbers do not always result in a cost saving. In fact, in some cases, calls to NGNs such as the “1890” numbers can cost significantly more, as these numbers, by their very nature, are non-geographic, and they are often not included in “bundles” of call minutes to landlines.
I am aware that the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)is undertaking a review of the five different classes of NGNs, including 1890 numbers at present. While not yet complete, ComReg has proposed a number of measures aimed at addressing a range of issues, including that of call costs and has published a response to its latest round of consultations with a range of interested parties. That publication is entitled "Review of Non-Geographic Numbers: Response to Consultation and Draft Decision – Reference ComReg 18/65 – 11/07/2018".
My Department is currently in the process of reviewing the use of NGNs as part of a wider review of its telephone policy and is considering the possible and likely implications of ComReg’s recent publications on this topic.
In the meantime, and mindful of the cost of "LoCall" numbers for some customers, my Department endeavours to ensure that where “LoCall” numbers are listed on the Departments website, that a landline number is always listed first, ahead of the available “LoCall” number. Furthermore, where “LoCall” numbers are listed on the website, they are accompanied by a notification advising customers that the rates charged for the use of same may vary among different service providers. Also, please be advised that if customers have any concerns about call charges, the staff of my Department will always facilitate a call back.
Besides a range of “LoCall” numbers, my Department also offers a Freephone service for callers wishing to contact the Homeless Women, Families and New Communities, and Homeless Men’s Units. A dedicated team handles high volumes of calls to these services via the Freephone (“1800”) number provided by my Department.
Finally, the Deputy refers to the arrangements in place regarding NGNs within agencies that fall under the remit of my Department. Offices and statutory bodies within that category are wide ranging, and include the General Register Office (GRO), the Social Welfare Appeals Office, the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Pensions Council, the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman and the Low Pay Commission. As protocols in place to manage the use of NGNs is an operational policy matter, responsibility for same is held locally. Therefore, I am not in a position to comment in this regard.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
1281. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be entitled to apply for an invalidity pension. [36409/18]
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 has received an application for IP from the person concerned on two separate occasions; on 20 January 2016 and 5 January 2018. Both applications were disallowed on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.
There is no record of an appeal of either decision having been made by the person concerned. It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for IP should they so wish.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1282. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied). [36412/18]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 23rd July 2018.
The applicant was awarded WFP with effect from 22nd March 2018 to 6th June 2018. The award period was effective to 06th June 2018 only as the applicant's relevant employment ceased on 04th June 2018. The total payment owing was issued to the applicant's nominated bank account as arrears on 26th July 2018.
The person concerned commenced new employment with effect from 5th June 2018.
A new application for WFP was received from the applicant on 26th July 2018.
A Deciding Officer assessed the application on 30th July 2018 and awarded WFP with effect from 7th June 2018 to 05th June 2019.
The first payment and all arrears owing issued to the person's nominated bank account on Thursday 2nd August 2018. All weekly payments have issued to date.
The person concerned was notified on 30th July 2018 of this decision and of the right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36413/18]
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 lady referred to on 23 August 2018. The claim will be processed as quickly as possible and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1284. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36426/18]
View answerPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person who has been in receipt of Illness Benefit for six months or Invalidity Pension and who may not have full capacity for work, to return to employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment from my Department.
An Invalidity Pension customer who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a Medical Assessor who will review the restriction, if any, on their capacity for work. A person assessed with a moderate level of work incapacity will receive 50% of their current payment, a person assessed with a severe level will receive 75% of their payment and a person assessed with a profound level will get full payment.
The person concerned currently has a claim for Invalidity Pension and there is no record of an application for Partial Capacity Benefit. If person concerned wishes to apply now, she should complete and forward an application to the Partial Capacity Benefit Section.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
