Written Answers Nos. 84-107
84. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when former RTÉ staff members, who now receive the RTÉ pension, will be given an increase in their pension payments; what the increase will be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41668/23]
View answerI previously considered and approved a 2% increase to pensions in payment for RTÉ in May 2022, which was implemented by the Trustees of the RTÉ Pension Scheme in August 2022.
The Trustees subsequently made an application, in September 2022, for a 2.5% increase to pensions in payment, backdated to 1st January 2022. This request has been evaluated by NewERA and I am currently considering it. My recommendation will then be subject to the review and approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
The Trustees of the RTÉ Pension scheme also made an application, in September 2023, for a 4.0% increase to pensions in payment, backdated to 1st January 2023. This request has been sent to NewEra for their evaluation and I am awaiting their response.
85. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to the report of the Commission on the Future of Media, which identified the taxpayer contribution to public service media in 2020 as being €106 million, comprised of funding for free TV licences under the household benefits package worth €69.8 million and direct funding to TG4 worth €37.2 million, if she will provide the equivalent figures for 2022 and the estimates for 2023, in tabular form. [41874/23]
View answerThe Future of Media Commission Report, in its analysis of future funding options, notes that in 2020 €143.8m of public service media funding was contributed by the TV Licence purchases and a further €106m through Exchequer funding. The Exchequer element comprises both direct funding of TG4 and the contribution towards the cost of free TV licences which are awarded under Department of Social Protection Household Benefits packages.
The table below presents the equivalent public service media Exchequer contributions for 2022 and 2023.
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
|
TG4 |
€44.9m |
€52.2m |
|
DSP ‘free’ Licence contribution |
€69.8m |
€69.8m |
|
TOTAL |
€114.7m |
€122.0m |
86. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to the report of the Commission on the Future of Media, which identified the funding contributed by TV licence payers to public service media as being €143.8 million in 2020, if she will provide the equivalent figure in 2022 and the projected figure for 2023. [41875/23]
View answerThe Future of Media Commission report provides an analysis of the various sources of public funding for public service media, including funding from direct sales of TV Licences, TV Licence funding provided by the Department of Social Protection under the Household Benefits Package and direct Exchequer funding of TG4.
The figure of €143.8m, quoted in Chapter 5 of the Report refers to the net revenues from direct TV Licences sales, excluding commission paid to An Post as the statutory issuing Agent. The corresponding public service media contribution from direct TV Licence Sales for 2022 was €141.76m. It is not possible to accurately estimate the TV Licence sales from September to December 2023, so an annual figure for 2023 is not available. From January-August 2023, public service media funding from direct TV Licence sales was €82.98m.
The net revenue from direct TV Licence sales is distributed to RTÉ and Coimisiún na Mean in accordance with the provisions set down in Section 123 and Section 156 of the Broadcasting Act.
87. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide, in tabular form, the monthly or, if available, weekly amount of funding for public service media provided by TV licence payers in 2022; and the equivalent projected figures for 2023. [41876/23]
View answerNet revenues from TV Licence Sales are distributed to RTÉ and the Broadcasting Fund in accordance with the provisions of Section 123 and Section 156 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Net revenues exclude the fees paid to An Post in its statutory role as the TV Licence issuing Agent.
The table below sets out the disbursement of total Public Service Media funding (i.e. to RTÉ and the Broadcasting Fund) for 2022 and for January to August 2023 from An Post TV Licence sales, exclusive of An Post’s fee. The table also sets out TV licence funding provided by the Department of Social Protection in respect of licences issued under the Household Benefits Package, which currently amounts to €69.8m per annum. It is not possible to accurately the revenue which may arise during the remainder of 2023.
The figures are broken down on a monthly basis as this provides a better overview of trends in the issuance of TV licences, and also allows for the consolidation of direct debit payments which is carried out by An Post on a monthly basis.
|
Month |
2022 Net TV Licence PSM funding from TV Licence Sales by An Post |
DSP TV Licence Funding (HBP) |
2023 Net TV Licence PSM funding from TV Licence Sales by An Post |
DSP TV Licence Funding (HBP) |
|
January |
€11,804,000 |
€5,815,718 |
€11,840,240 |
€5,815,718 |
|
February |
€10,612,205 |
€5,815,718 |
€10,863,865 |
€5,815,718 |
|
March |
€11,184,524 |
€5,815,718 |
€11,952,636 |
€5,815,718 |
|
April |
€11,157,391 |
€5,815,718 |
€10,251,960 |
€5,815,718 |
|
May |
€11,070,420 |
€5,815,718 |
€11,087,730 |
€5,815,718 |
|
June |
€11,193,799 |
€5,815,718 |
€10,979,439 |
€5,815,718 |
|
July |
€11,452,837 |
€5,815,718 |
€7,839,700 |
€5,815,718 |
|
August |
€11,646,386 |
€5,815,718 |
€8,169,183 |
€5,815,718 |
|
September |
€13,919,988 |
€5,815,718 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
October |
€13,987,902 |
€5,815,718 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
November |
€13,178,593 |
€5,815,718 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
December |
€10,551,144 |
€5,815,718 |
N/A |
N/A |
88. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, in relation to Table 5-2 in the report of the Commission on the Future of Media, which sets out recommended public funding levels for 2022 and 2023, she will provide a table with the same line items, setting out the actual provisions in 2022 and the estimates and projected figures for 2023. [41877/23]
View answerThe Future of Media Commission Report, which was published in July 2022, considered the financial needs of public service media and made recommendations in respect of future funding. Recommendation 5-2 sets out interim funding recommendations for 2021-2023 with regard to RTÉ, TG4, and the Broadcasting/Media Fund, pending reform of the public funding model.
The table below sets out both the funding recommendations made by the Future of Media Commission for 2022 and 2023 and the actual funding provided in 2022.
With the exception of TG4’s 2023 funding, which is in the form of a direct Exchequer allocation, it is not possible to compare the FOMC’s recommended funding for 2023 with the actual 2023 funding as the actual outcome will be determined by overall TV licence revenues. However, public funding to RTÉ for 2023 was estimated to be at the same level as in 2022.
With regard to the Future of Media Commission recommendation regarding the Media Fund, this was on the basis of the introduction of six new funding schemes open to all media, which have yet to be rolled out by Coimisiún na Meán. As such the 2022 actual figure below refers to funding provided for the existing Sound and Vision Scheme. A total of €22.885m has been provided for in the Revised Estimates for the Broadcasting and Media Fund for 2023.
|
2022 FOMC Recommendation |
2022 Actual |
2023 FOMC Recommendation |
2023 Actual |
|
|
RTÉ Licence fee |
€198m |
€195.6m |
€198m |
N/A |
|
RTÉ Stabilisation |
€15m |
€15m |
€16m |
N/A |
|
TG4 (Exchequer) |
€44.7m |
€45.049m |
€48.7m |
€52.233m |
|
Broadcasting / Media Fund |
€30m |
€19.826m |
€30m |
N/A |
89. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a monument (details supplied) is included on the scheduled list of protected structures; if so, the funding that might be available for repair works to this monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41710/23]
View answerI can confirm that the monument in question is a protected structure (Record of Protected Structures ID 02348).
My Department provides financial support to owners of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures to assist in their conservation and protection through two grant schemes, the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). The HSF is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures and historic buildings, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public. The BHIS is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS). It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals.
Both of these schemes are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. Applications for both programmes for this year are currently closed. However, it is expected that application windows for grants to be offered in 2024 will be opened in the coming weeks. Applications for this structure should be made to Cork County Council. The owner should contact the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer in Cork County Council for more information on these schemes should they require financial assistance in preserving this protected structure.
90. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail, in tabular form, the number of tenant-in-situ applications made to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; the number approved, rejected and still under consideration, since the introduction of the scheme to 21 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41667/23]
View answerUnder Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional target for social housing acquisitions in 2023. Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by the Department.
It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy. Local authorities will work with all social housing supported tenants who receive a Notice of Termination and where it is not possible to purchase the property, the local authority will seek alternative supports, which will include support to obtain an alternative tenancy, including a HAP-supported tenancy or an allocation to local authority stock where possible.
Details of social housing acquisitions are published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 2 2023 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
91. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015, to allow for tenants residing in dwellings provided by local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41702/23]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.
The scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015, as amended. The regulations provide for specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including those provided to local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The Part V provisions seek to promote social integration and secure mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Accordingly, Part V properties are excluded from the scheme to ensure the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time and the properties remain available for people most in need of social housing support.
While there are no plans to amend this requirement at this time, potential changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the Department’s work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
92. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that might be available for an iconic structure (details supplied) in County Cork. [41709/23]
View answerThe structure in question may be eligible for an application under the Community Monuments Fund grant scheme of the National Monuments Service of my Department. The Community Monuments Fund was established in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage.
This funding is prioritised for local authorities, private owners and custodians and community groups for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended) and archaeological monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record which is compiled by the National Monuments Service of my Department.
Applications can be made by local authorities for works to monuments in public ownership where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated and projects proposed by a local authority on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of monuments. It is anticipated that an announcement will be made in the coming months regarding the 2024 scheme.
Total funding awarded nationally for projects under the Community Monuments Fund 2023 is €8 million.
93. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to engage with the National Association of Regional Game Council to explore how it can assist with the protection of wildlife. [41779/23]
View answerThe recent Public consultation on the Open Seasons Order contained several useful recommendations and suggestions, many of which will be actioned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department in the coming months. These include:
- the need for collaboration across various groups and agencies
- the need for collation of good quality, current data on bird populations and hunting activity
- recognition of the impact of habitat degradation, disturbance and climate change on bird populations
The NPWS are committed to working with stakeholders to ensure sustainable hunting and conservation of birds in Ireland. To this end, Minister Noonan recently announced his intention to establish a ‘Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Stakeholder Forum’. Details of this will be communicated to relevant parties in the coming weeks. I welcome the engagement of the NARGC with this Forum in their commitment to manage habitats to support our wild birds, and to ensure the sustainability of hunting practices.
Biodiversity in Ireland is coming under pressure from many different sources, as it is across Europe and globally. Such pressures combined can have a negative impact on many species, and their habitats. It is only by working together across Government, with stakeholders and also internationally, that we will achieve our common goal: the stability and recovery of our wild bird populations and the enjoyment of them, by ourselves and future generations.
94. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider apportioning a percentage of the revenue generated from gun licence fees to NARGC with criteria based on wildlife protection enhancements given their nationwide coverage. [41780/23]
View answerMy Department is not in receipt of gun licence fees, and as such has no role in handling of same.
In general terms, licence fees are treated as appropriations in aid and returned to the Exchequer. Any proposals regarding the ring-fencing of funding would be a matter for the Department of Finance or, as appropriate the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
95. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can give an undertaking that a marina (details supplied) will not be given a commercial licence until such time as it has been regulated through a lease or encroachment licence with Waterways Ireland and planning permission from Westmeath County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41782/23]
View answerLicences and leases in respect of properties such as the marina identified are managed by Waterways Ireland, a North South body sponsored by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
While it would be inappropriate to comment publicly on any individual marina in a manner that might potentially prejudice any current or future legal proceedings, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org .
96. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can give an undertaking that all dealings with any unauthorised development coming under Waterways Ireland jurisdiction regarding the regularising of the said development will be done in an open and transparent manner and that no funding will be provided by Waterways Ireland to any unauthorised developers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/23]
View answerThe registration, licensing and operation of marinas is managed by Waterways Ireland, a North South body sponsored by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
In 2021, Waterways Ireland established a dedicated land recovery and first registration team to research, lodge and register its property portfolio. As part of that process, Waterways Ireland is working on a strategy dedicated to alleged encroachments to ensure regularisation of same. This entails examining, evaluating and regularising all encroachments identified as part of the land recovery and first registration programme. The completion of this programme to secure the property portfolio transferred to Waterways Ireland from multiple bodies since its inception in 2000 will take a significant amount of time.
In respect of detailed information about specific aspects of this programme, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org.
97. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received a report from the review into the derelict sites levy; and if so, if he will publish the review. [41800/23]
View answerThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
My Department initiated a review of the Derelict Sites Act in November 2021 and invited local authorities to make initial submissions on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. A focused working group of nominated staff members from a number of local authorities was subsequently established. It is expected that the report of the group will be finalised shortly. I will consider the recommendations contained in the report once it is received.
The scope for the engagement of additional staff resources in local authorities to assist in the more effective enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the Act is also being explored in my Department in the context of an ongoing review of the staff resourcing needs of local planning authorities generally.
98. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify if a housing estate in County Roscommon (details supplied) can be included in the resolution programme under the National Development Plan for the period 2021-2025, to address legacy water services issues; if any of the existing allocated €68.5 million funding will be allocated to estates not viable to connect to the public water supply; and if it is not, if he can confirm whether any other funding can be considered or made available before 2025. [41863/23]
View answerMy Departments' Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme (DPI) is focused on housing estates which do not have their water services connected to the public network but instead rely on infrastructure provided by developers.
The aim of the DPI programme is to provide funding to local authorities to assist them in implementing solutions that resolve the DPI issues thus progressively enable these estates to be taken in charge.
I refer to my reply to Question No. 513 of 20 September last, which states that a study completed by Uisce Éireann in 2022, will inform and assist in developing solutions for estates that, due to distance, it is not viable to connect them to the public network. I understand that the estate referred to falls in to this category.
I can confirm that although it will take a number of funding programmes, my Department is committed to resolving DPI issues.
99. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a copy of a circular (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41865/23]
View answer100. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a circular (details supplied) was not published on the official Government website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41866/23]
View answer101. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason he will not publish a report of a review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41868/23]
View answerThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
My Department completed a review of the operation of the Nationwide Pilot Caravan Loan Scheme with input from local authorities and other stakeholders. The purpose of the review is to inform the continued operation of the pilot scheme and it is an internal report which supported the continuation of the pilot and therefore not intended for publication.
A circular on the ‘Continuation of Nationwide Pilot Caravan Loan Scheme’ issued to all local authorities on the 4 July 2023. The circular encourages local authorities to engage, through their Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, with Traveller families in their respective areas and any other representative channels they may wish to liaise with to raise awareness of the pilot loan scheme. My Department does not routinely publish circulars as these are generally direct communications with local authorities on policy and operational matters for direct action.
The information requested regarding the circular on the continuation of nationwide pilot caravan loan scheme will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
102. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider those suffering from a medical condition (details supplied) for the national fuel allowance, given the need for heat as part of their treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41674/23]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources within their household.
Any decision to adjust the rules of Fuel Allowance to allow the cohort of people outlined by the Deputy to qualify for Fuel Allowance irrespective of their receipt of a qualifying Social Protection payment or their means would change the targeted nature of the scheme. Any such decision would also have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
Finally, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the status of an application for carer's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41678/23]
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 application for CA was received from the person concerned on 10 March 2023.
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 CA 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. The person concerned failed to provide the SWI with information that was required to determine if their means were below the statutory limit.
As the requested information was not supplied, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA.
The person concerned was notified on 8 May 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has appealed this decision and has also requested a review and submitted additional evidence in support of their review. However, some requested financial documentation is still outstanding.
An information request for the outstanding documentation issued on 19 September 2023.
Once this information is received, the review will be completed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to explain the reason that a person (details supplied) has had their jobseeker's allowance reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41679/23]
View answerJobseeker's Allowance (JA) is a means-tested payment made to people who are unemployed and who do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit. A person can work for up to 3 days a week and may still get JA for the other days. JA payments are subject to ongoing review by my Department for any income assessable in respect of this scheme. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is in receipt of casual JA since September 2021. As part of a standard means review, the person was requested to provide details of all financial accounts held, a current payslip from their employer and a UP15 – Employer Declaration of Income form. Upon receipt and examination of these documents, the means review was completed in July 2023 and it was found that the means of the person concerned had increased. A letter was issued to the person on 17/07/2023 advising them of this outcome.
If the persons circumstances have changed since they submitted their financial information, it is open to them to request a review of the decision by contacting the Parnell Street Intreo Centre with any relevant information.
It is also open to the person concerned to appeal the decision of the Deciding Officer in writing to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office at Freepost, D'Olier House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, D02 XY31 or by emailing swappeals@welfare.ie .
I trust this clarifies the matter.
105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41683/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on the 20th May 2023. A copy of the Appeals Officer decision has been reissued to the appellant.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
106. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a domiciliary care allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41698/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 6th of July 2023. 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.
These papers were received on the 31st July 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on the 9th of August 2023. The Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
107. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on the review of a decision on an illness benefit application in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41840/23]
View answerMy Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on 31st August 2023. The person does not currently have sufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for a payment of Illness Benefit.
The person concerned indicated on their application form that they had previously worked in the UK. Their insurance record was requested from the relevant authorities in the UK on 6th September 2023. It can take up to 10 weeks to receive a reply from the UK authorities in respect of such requests. Once the details being requested are to hand, the claim can be reviewed and any payment due will be paid at the earliest opportunity.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
