Written Answers Nos. 606-626
606. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure an increased pension with regard to years spent as a carer or homemaker is awarded to a person (details supplied). [9234/19]
View answerSince late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement on post Budget 2012 rate bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods. My Department has already written to these pensioners to explain the process.
I have last week signed the necessary regulations, which together provisions in the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registrations Act 2018, allows the increased payments to be made on foot of the reviews. The Department has already started issuing the outcome of reviews and the first increased payments will start to issue this week. These increased payments will include arrears to 30 March 2018, or the pensioner's 66th birthday if later. Where a person's pension rate does not increase as a result of this review, the person will continue to be paid at their existing rate of entitlement. No one will be worse off as a result of this review.
Where possible, my Department will use information already held to assist in the reviews. In some, but not all, cases additional information is required from pensioners about unexplained gaps in their social insurance record to complete their review. Since January, almost 24,000 requests for additional information were issued. The person concerned received a request for further information. The information request letter includes details of how to provide the required information using my Department’s online services. This is the easiest way to provide the requested information. The letter includes a dedicated telephone number for those who may need help or support to make their application. Those who do not have access to a personal computer, or the internet, can also call the telephone number provided on the letter to request a paper application. Paper applications have started to issue this week to those who have requested them.
I want to assure the Deputy that regardless of when a person’s review is processed, if they are due an increase their weekly rate will be adjusted without delay and arrears paid, backdated to 30 March 2018, or the person's 66th birthday if later. Given the numbers involved, it will take my Department a number of months to complete the reviews. Around 120 additional temporary staff have been recruited to help with this work.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
607. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding social welfare payment methods; her views on the way in which recipients of social welfare payments can ensure that bank transfers do not result in increased current account bank charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9244/19]
View answerMy Department provides two main options for payment methods for its customers: payments in cash at post offices or payments direct to customer accounts in financial institutions. The Department intends, where possible, to continue to offer its many customers the choice of being paid in cash at the post office, directly into their post office account or an account in a financial institution by Electronic Fund Transfer, (EFT).
Social Welfare payments made directly into customer accounts can be paid into any financial institution, whether they are commercial banks, credit unions or An Post. Within this range of financial institutions there are a range of account options which charge varying fees. Every person receiving a Social Welfare payment by EFT has the right to choose which financial institution they wish to use to receive their payment.
In addition, the European Union (Payment Accounts) Regulations 2016 stipulate that any consumer who is legally resident in the European Union and who does not already have a payment account with a credit institution in the State has the right to open and use a payment account with basic features. These include a stipulation that such accounts be offered free of charge for a period of not less than 12 months.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
608. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the processing time for social welfare payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9246/19]
View answerThe information requested (where available) by the deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.
|
Social Welfare claims by average waiting times 31 January 2019 |
|
|
Scheme |
Average Waiting time (weeks) |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
1 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
1 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
5 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
9 |
|
Widow’s, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension |
2 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
11 |
|
Household Benefits |
1 |
|
Free Travel |
2 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
11 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA) |
3 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
6 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
6 |
|
Working Family Payment |
7 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
16 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
12 |
|
Disability Allowance |
14 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
7 |
609. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of external training contractors running courses in County Clare under the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board; the number of in-house training courses in the county in 2017, 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9252/19]
View answerMy Department does not administer these schemes. It would therefore be proper for the Deputy to raise this matter with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.
610. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a review for a person (details supplied). [9257/19]
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 from this lady on 30 August 2018. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 11 December 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
She requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence on 13 February 2019 in support of her request. Following a review of all the information available it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision. She was notified on 22 February 2019 of the outcome of the review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
611. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if full payment of a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied). [9263/19]
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 child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA for her spouse since 27 July 2017.
My department informs me that no application has been received from the person concerned in respect of a second care recipient.
If the person concerned wishes to make an application, she should complete and return an application form (CR1) to carer's allowance section as soon as possible in order that my Department may determine her entitlement to CA. I have arranged for an application form to issue to the person at their home address.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
612. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review will be undertaken of the payment structure of the free travel scheme, that is, the percentage of commercial fares paid to State transport operators for the provision of the free travel scheme. [9294/19]
View answerThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 937,000 customers with direct eligibility. Following recent announcements in Budget 2019 the funding for the free travel scheme was increased by €5 million to a total of €95 million.
My Department makes a block payment to the CIÉ group and the apportionment of payment between the three constituent companies, Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann is a matter for the CIÉ Group. This payment reflects a range of factors negotiated over the years including fare increases, peak time access to free travel, service improvements, changes and enhancements. A discount of 40% is applied to reflect the fares foregone nature of the scheme. In 2018, in excess of €69 million was paid to the CIÉ Group for the free travel scheme.
In Budget 2018 an additional €10 million was provided for the free travel scheme and this allowed for the arrangements for Bus Éireann – Expressway to be brought in line with those of other commercial operators participating in the scheme. The discount applied on free travel payments to Bus Éireann- Expressway was reduced from 40% to 30%, putting Bus Éireann – Expressway on an equal footing with other commercial operators participating in the free travel scheme.
While my Department is always available and willing to consider proposals with respect to payments made to transport operators, these would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
613. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the results of research commissioned by her Department into public attitudes to the public services card. [9372/19]
View answer616. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 19 February 2019, the survey provider that carried out the recent customer survey on the public services card to which she refers; when the survey was carried out; the survey method used; the sample size; the response rate; if only public services card holders were surveyed; the cost of the survey; the full list and order of questions asked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9430/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 616 together.
Customer surveys are carried out to assess customer satisfaction and perception of the quality of services offered by my Department. These surveys provide valuable insights into how customers interact with the Department’s processes and services and may also act as a benchmark against which future progress may be measured.
With regard to the survey on the Public Services Card (PSC), a stratified random sample of everyone who had been issued a PSC in September 2018 was undertaken. This sampling method ensures that the resulting sample reflects key population distributions which, in this case, was everyone aged over 18 who received a PSC in September 2018. The population was stratified by sex and age band (18-24, 25-39, 40-59, 60+), and then randomly sampled. In total, 5,000 people were in the random sample and 1,001 people took part in the survey.
A letter was sent to everyone selected to take part in the survey inviting them to take part in the survey. The letter outlined that participation was entirely voluntary, and that their answers, participation, or refusal to participate, cannot and will not affect any services or payments the customer might avail of. Amongst other things, the contact letter also outlined how and why they were selected to take part, details of the company commissioned to conduct the survey and channels for customer queries regarding the survey.
The survey was undertaken independently on behalf of the Department by W5, specialists in customer experience consultancy and was done through telephone interview in December 2018. The questions measured satisfaction with the processes and procedures involved in applying for a PSC and of undergoing SAFE authentication. The overall cost of undertaking the survey is €22,900 ex-VAT.
Overall, the results of the survey are very positive and show high levels of satisfaction reported by PSC holders. The Department intends to publish the Survey Report shortly. A copy will be available for downloading from the Department's website - www.welfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
614. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the additional paid parental leave announced as part of budget 2019 will be available to parents in respect of children born on or after the date of its announcement in budget 2019; if it will only apply to parents in respect of children born on or after the date of its implementation in late 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9394/19]
View answer615. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there will be administrative or legal technicalities that would mean the exclusion of parents of children born in 2019 after the additional paid parental leave announced as part of budget 2019; her plans to include those parents with children born after the budget 2019 announcement in 2019 or who are still under one year of age when the scheme is implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9395/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 615 together.
In Budget 2019, I announced the introduction of a new social insurance based paid parental benefit scheme which will provide two weeks paid leave to both parents. This new scheme of parental benefit will support parents during the first year of the child's life and allows parents more flexibility in achieving and managing a work life balance. The scheme will be implemented in late 2019 and will be available to parents in respect of all children born on or after the date of its implementation, that is, children born from late 2019 onwards.
The conditions of the scheme will be provided for in legislation and are currently being examined as part of the legislative drafting process undertaken by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality, which has overall responsibility for parental leave policy.
I trust this clarifies the matter at this time.
617. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare recipients who had their payments cut or reduced on foot of recommendations by Turas Nua or Seetec in each of the past two years and to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9431/19]
View answerPenalty rates were introduced as a means of encouraging jobseekers to engage with activation measures and co-operate with efforts of the Department to assist them in securing employment. The Department is committed, under Pathways to Work, to incentivise the take-up of activation opportunities, including implementing sanctions for failure to engage.
The legislation underpinning the application of penalty rates is provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 2010. Penalty rates can only be applied by a Deciding Officer of my Department in specific circumstances, and not by way of recommendation from Seetec or Turas Nua. Seetec and Turas Nua merely inform the Department of non-engagement with their service, and the Deciding Officer makes a decision by examining all the facts and circumstances of each case. Only then is a penalty rate applied if appropriate and in line with the legislation.
In all cases where a JobPath customer has been penalty rated, full payment is restored immediately upon re-engagement with JobPath.
Contracted providers cannot and do not apply penalty rates. There has been no change in policy, or the implementation of penalty rate provisions in this respect. Penalty rates are only applied as a last resort. If dissatisfied with the decision of my Deciding Officer, it is open to the Jobseeker to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The following table shows the number of JobPath customers who received at least one Penalty Rate in the years 2017 to end January 2019.
|
No of Recipients Penalty Rated |
Year Penalty rates applied |
|
86 |
2019 |
|
4,447 |
2018 |
|
6,019 |
2017 |
618. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 19 February 2019, if evidence of the financial costs referred to with respect to severing the State's contract with organisations operating the JobPath programme will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9432/19]
View answerThe JobPath contract does contain provisions for early termination, notwithstanding any dispute which may arise and which is covered elsewhere in the contract. Written notice must be served on the contractor 6 months in advance of a termination. The amount of compensation to be paid to the service providers is stipulated in the contract, however the amount of compensation, having been separately negotiated with each contractor, is commercially sensitive. To publish same would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts now in place and any future procurement that may be undertaken. In addition to the financial liability, termination of the contract would have a significant impact on the 600 employees of the contractors, their sub-contractors and suppliers.
As the Deputy will be aware the referral phase of the JobPath contract, which commenced in 2015, is due to come to an end this year. Clients engaged with the service at this point will continue to receive the service for up to 12 months and may receive 'in-work' support for a further 12 months should they require it.
It is worth noting that the results of an econometric evaluation of the service, which my Department will publish shortly, further indicate that the outcomes for participating jobseekers, both in terms of employment and earnings, are better than those of non-participants.
I am therefore satisfied that the proper course of action is to continue with the service in order to support long term unemployed jobseekers, and I do not intend to break contractual commitments entered into by my Department.
619. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants for fuel allowance refused as a result of being over the income threshold. [9451/19]
View answer620. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the income amounts over the income threshold for fuel allowance of those who were refused the payment. [9452/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together.
The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €630 each year) from October to April, to over 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
An applicant and members of his/her household may have a combined assessable income of up to €100.00 a week above the appropriate maximum State Pension (Contributory) rate and qualify for a payment. The following assessable income limits therefore apply -
(i) €343.30 for a single person under 80 years (€100 plus €243.30);
(ii) €505.40 for a couple, where the qualified spouse / civil partner / cohabitant is under 66 years (€100 plus €243.30 plus €162.10);
(iii) €561.30 for a couple, where the qualified spouse / civil partner / cohabitant is 66 years or over (€100 plus €243.30 plus €218);
The maximum disregard available for any household is €561.30.
In the case of applicants over 80 years of age, an extra allowance of €10.00 may be applied to the appropriate Social Welfare rate.
The number of applicants for fuel allowance refused as a result of being over the income threshold is not readily available to my Department. Neither does my Department maintain records of the amount that such applicants were over the income threshold. It is worth noting that many people above the income threshold do not make an application.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
621. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to reintroduce the bereavement grant which was cut in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9458/19]
View answerDuring the economic downturn, my Department focused on protecting primary social welfare rates. In recent years, as the economy has been recovering, the Government has concentrated resources in improving the core rates of payments, particularly for pensioners, resulting in considerable increases in these rates.
The Bereavement Grant was a payment of €850 made where the deceased or his/her surviving partner was an insured contributor to the social insurance fund. Any decision to reinstate it would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
It’s worth noting that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the grant. These include weekly-paid widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off widowed or surviving civil partner grant of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. In Budget 2016, the Government increased the payment after death period to 12 weeks for carer’s allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. This is a more targeted and efficient manner of assisting people with bereavement expenses. In 2018 ENPs were made in respect of 2,812 funerals at a cost of €5.317 million and 69 burial expenses at a cost of €140,674.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
622. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown local authority area for appeals for disability allowance, illness benefit, invalidity pension, carer's allowance and domiciliary care allowance, respectively for each month from January 2018 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9498/19]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that statistics are not maintained on a local authority or on a county by county basis, and it is not in a position to supply the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown local authority area.
The average appeal processing times for each month in 2018 and January 2019 for disability allowance, illness benefit, invalidity pension, carer's allowance and domiciliary care allowance are outlined in the following tables.
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.
All claim decisions taken by the Department’s Deciding Officers and Designated Persons are appealable to the Chief Appeals Officer. In any year about 85% of all claims are awarded by the Department and just 1% are appealed. Nevertheless, the Department is concerned that these cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Accordingly, significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, appeal processing times in respect of all schemes improved between 2011 and 2017 from 52.5 weeks for an oral hearing in 2011 to 26.4 weeks in 2017 and from 25.1 weeks for a summary decision in 2011 to 19.8 weeks in 2017. The corresponding processing times for the year 2018 were 30 weeks for an oral hearing and 24.8 weeks for a summary decision.
The time taken to process an appeal reflects a number of factors including that the appeals process is a quasi-judicial process with appeals officers being required to decide all appeals on a ‘de-novo’ basis. In addition, appeals decisions are themselves subject to review by the High Court and decisions have to be formally written up to quasi-judicial standards. Other factors that influence appeals processing times include the quality of the initial decision – in this respect the Department has changed the decisions process in respect of medical schemes, in order to provide more information to the claimant. I expect that this will help to reduce the number of appeals over time.
In addition, a number of new Appeals Officers have joined the Appeals Office over the past 12-18 months, to replace staff leaving on retirement. Given the complexity of the appeals process it takes some time for new staff to be trained up and develop expertise and this has led to somewhat longer processing times during this period. The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times continue to be a priority for her Office.
Finally, where a claimant has been refused a social welfare payment, regardless of the scheme involved, and is appealing that decision, if their means are insufficient to meet their needs it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim.
If their application for supplementary welfare allowance is refused, they can also appeal that decision. The supplementary welfare allowance appeal will be prioritised for attention within the Appeals Office as soon as the appeal file and submission is received from my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Appeals Processing Times by Month in 2018 and for January 2019
|
Year |
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
2018 |
||
|
January |
21.6 |
24.4 |
|
February |
18.4 |
26.2 |
|
March |
18.9 |
26.7 |
|
April |
19.1 |
25.7 |
|
May |
15.0 |
25.8 |
|
June |
18.5 |
23.6 |
|
July |
15.0 |
21.9 |
|
August |
16.2 |
23.9 |
|
September |
18.1 |
21.7 |
|
October |
16.5 |
22.7 |
|
November |
16.5 |
22.2 |
|
December |
15.5 |
22.6 |
|
Overall Processing Times in 2018 |
17.1 |
23.8 |
|
January 2019 |
16.6 |
23.0 |
Illness Benefit Appeals Processing Times by Month in 2018 and for January 2019
|
Year |
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
2018 |
||
|
January |
27.9 |
29.5 |
|
February |
31.6 |
50.8 |
|
March |
22.5 |
28.5 |
|
April |
31.2 |
33.8 |
|
May |
35.0 |
39.3 |
|
June |
47.1 |
31.6 |
|
July |
29.9 |
42.9 |
|
August |
31.1 |
40.0 |
|
September |
23.8 |
29.7 |
|
October |
32.6 |
31.5 |
|
November |
25.4 |
34.4 |
|
December |
- |
- |
|
Overall Processing Times in 2018 |
30.7 |
36.5 |
|
January 2019 |
41.1 |
36.0 |
Invalidity Pension Appeals Processing Times by Month in 2018 and for January 2019
|
Year |
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
2018 |
||
|
January |
25.7 |
21.8 |
|
February |
26.3 |
25.4 |
|
March |
34.0 |
21.9 |
|
April |
20.3 |
22.5 |
|
May |
21.8 |
28.7 |
|
June |
20.2 |
25.4 |
|
July |
25.0 |
30.4 |
|
August |
25.9 |
32.5 |
|
September |
27.0 |
27.7 |
|
October |
27.5 |
32.8 |
|
November |
20.1 |
33.1 |
|
December |
30.4 |
35.7 |
|
Overall Processing Times in 2018 |
24.7 |
30.2 |
Carer’s Allowance Appeals Processing Times by Month in 2018 and for January 2019
|
Year |
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
2018 |
||
|
January |
24.1 |
26.3 |
|
February |
23.1 |
29.2 |
|
March |
25.0 |
28.6 |
|
April |
23.2 |
27.3 |
|
May |
24.8 |
28.2 |
|
June |
24.3 |
28.8 |
|
July |
27.7 |
31.4 |
|
August |
25.8 |
32.0 |
|
September |
23.9 |
28.9 |
|
October |
23.8 |
28.6 |
|
November |
20.6 |
25.4 |
|
December |
25.7 |
28.1 |
|
Overall Processing Times in 2018 |
24.3 |
28.4 |
|
January 2019 |
26.6 |
28.4 |
Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals Processing Times by Month in 2018 and for January 2019
|
Year |
Average processing times (weeks)Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks)Oral Hearings |
|
2018 |
||
|
January |
30.7 |
40.3 |
|
March |
32.7 |
38.8 |
|
April |
28.6 |
35.8 |
|
February |
33.0 |
36.8 |
|
May |
31.5 |
32.5 |
|
June |
31.3 |
31.8 |
|
July |
33.8 |
34.4 |
|
August |
29.8 |
35.9 |
|
September |
30.7 |
39.5 |
|
October |
32.8 |
36.1 |
|
November |
33.4 |
42.4 |
|
December |
30.5 |
30.6 |
|
Overall Processing Times in 2018 |
31.6 |
36.2 |
|
January 2019 |
29.9 |
33.0 |
623. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number and percentage of appeals in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown local authority area that were allowed by appeals officers, partially allowed by appeals officers, revised by a deciding officer and designated persons decision, disallowed by appeals officers and withdrawn, respectively, for each the years 2016 the 2018 and to date in 2019, for all payments and benefits under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9499/19]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that statistics are not maintained on a local authority or on a county by county basis, and it is not in a position to supply the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown local authority area.
The outcome of all appeals by scheme for the years 2016 to 2018 and for January 2019 are available at the following link:
The figures provided for appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant relate to appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or which were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer / Designated Person.
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.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person. This was the case in 37.1% of favourable outcomes in 2016, 37.6% of such outcomes in 2017, 31.5% of such outcomes in 2018 and 31.3% of such outcomes in January 2019.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
624. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to regulate for-profit fixed fee welfare appeals services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9500/19]
View answerThe independent Social Welfare Appeals Office is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Any person wishing to appeal a decision on their entitlement to a social welfare payment should apply directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. It provides an independent, accessible appeals service which is free of charge.
My Department has no role in the regulation of any for-profit appeals services.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
625. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when payment of illness benefit will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact the payments which were originally paid to the Department of Education and Skills were refunded to her Department following the person's retirement but have not yet issued to the person. [9550/19]
View answerA sum in respect of Illness Benefit made payable to the employer of the person concerned was refunded to the Department. The payment has been reissued directly to the bank account of the person concerned and she will receive this payment during week commencing February 25th.
The payment of Illness Benefit to the person concerned is up to date as she has provided medical certification to 25 February 2019. The person concerned should continue to forward medical certification to the Department each week for as long as she is unfit for work to ensure that payment of Illness Benefit can be made to her.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
626. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the breakdown of funds received by her Department or channelled through her Department from EU funds in 2017; and the programmes these funds supported. [9570/19]
View answerThe amount of EU funds received or channelled through my Department in 2017 is outlined in the following table -
|
Programme |
Amount |
Description |
|
Connecting Europe Facility Fund (CEF) |
€500,000 |
The CEF assists Member States with their national implementation of the Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information. DEASP and the HSE are in partnership on this implementation. |
|
European Globalisation Fund (EGF) – Lufthansa Technik Airmotive |
€265,975 |
The EGF provides one-off time limited individual support to people across Ireland in certain companies and sectors that were made redundant as a result of globalisation. |
|
European Employment Services (EURES) – Ireland/Northern Ireland Cross Border partnership |
€249,030 |
EURES facilitates the free movement of workers which is organised centrally by the European Commission and is administered in the member states by the Public Employment Service. |
