Written Answers Nos. 361-381
361. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be processed and a decision made on it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52034/23]
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 in that office on 24 August 2023. 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 Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 5 October 2023.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17 October 2023, who will in due course make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
362. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for invalidity pension that are on appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office; the number that have been under consideration for one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and 11 months or a year or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52035/23]
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 table below sets out the outstanding number of Invalidity Pension appeals as of 22 November 2023 and the length of time they have been under consideration since being registered.
The Outstanding Invalidity Pension Appeals Under Consideration as of 22 November 2023
|
Time ( Months) |
No of Appeals |
|
Less than 1 |
94 |
|
1 |
82 |
|
2 |
120 |
|
3 |
56 |
|
4 |
43 |
|
5 |
15 |
|
6 |
12 |
|
7 |
6 |
|
8 |
2 |
|
9 |
3 |
|
10 |
0 |
|
11 |
3 |
|
12 |
3 |
|
More that 12 |
3 |
Outstanding Invalidity Appeals = 442
The current average time to process ALL appeals = 15.9 weeks
The current average time to process INVP appeals = 14.2 weeks
Significant efforts and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeal process in recent years. As a result, average appeal processing times have generally improved between 2018 and 2022 from 30.0 weeks for an oral hearing in 2018 to 26.0 weeks in 2022, and from 24.8 weeks for a summary decision in 2018 to 15.0 weeks in 2022. The average times for all appeals finalised in 2022 was 14.9 weeks. Further improvements in appeals processing times are a priority for the Chief Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) qualifies for household benefits and the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52038/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 18 August 2023. Based on the information provided to my Department, the person concerned was awarded the maximum personal rate of Disability Allowance and full rate increase of qualified child allowance in respect of one dependent child with effect from 23 August 2023. The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 20 September 2023.
Fuel Allowance is an administrative (non-statutory) scheme and is payable to people who satisfy the conditions of the scheme and who either live alone or only with certain qualified people.
As part of the initial application for DA, the Deciding Officer assessed the person's entitlement to Fuel Allowance. Based on the information supplied, it was decided that the person concerned did not have an entitlement to the fuel allowance as their household consisted of persons who were not in a qualifying category for Fuel Allowance. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 20 September 2023. They were also informed that if their circumstances changed, they should make a new application for the fuel allowance.
To date, no application for fuel allowance has been received from the person concerned. An application form for fuel allowance issued to the person on 22 November 2023. Alternatively, a person can apply online through their MyGovID account.
The Household Benefits Package helps towards the costs of your electricity or gas bills. It also includes your television licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household and you must reside full time in Ireland. Those in receipt of DA are eligible to make an application for the package.
To date, no application for Household Benefits Package has been received from the person concerned. An application form for the Household Benefits Package issued to the person on 22 November 2023. Alternatively, a person can apply online through their MyGovID account.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52039/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 18 August 2023. Based on the information provided to my Department, the person concerned was awarded the maximum personal rate of Disability Allowance and full rate increase of qualified child allowance in respect of one dependent child with effect from 23 August 2023.
The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 20 September 2023 and received their first payment via their chosen payment method on 27 September 2023.
Arrears due from 23 August to 26 September 2023 issued to the person concerned via their chosen payment method on 22 September 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
365. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection when the 27 Ability Programmes nationwide will be informed of their funding allocations for 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52108/23]
View answerThe Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities. The programme was jointly funded under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer. The Ability Programme concluded at the end of August 2021.
In July 2021, I announced the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2021 - Measure to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities - a new employment support measure for people with disabilities. This programme began in September that year and runs up to the end of 2023. In total, 45 projects have been funded up to an amount of €7.6 million. The 27 organisations referred to by the Deputy who received funding under the former Ability Programme were successful in securing funding under this measure.
On 10th August I announced a call for applications for a new employment focused programme for people with disabilities. The programme, called “WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme”, will run from 2024 to 2028 and has an overall budget of up to €36.29million.
The aim of the WorkAbility programme is to bring people with disabilities people aged 16 years and over who are not work-ready closer to the labour market. The programme will promote employment prospects for people with disabilities who are in the labour market or who are distant from the labour market and will provide progressive pathways into employment (including self-employment) through education, training, skills development, and in-work supports for participants.
Pobal will manage the process on behalf of the Department, including payment, contract management, performance monitoring, and beneficiary support and auditing.
Pobal undertook the appraisal of all applications and have made recommendations to DSP. My officials are currently in the process of reviewing these recommendations. When that process is complete, successful organisations will be notified of the outcome.
I hope that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
366. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52132/23]
View answerFuel Allowance is an administrative (non-statutory) scheme and is payable to people who satisfy the conditions of the scheme and who either live alone or only with certain qualified people.
The person concerned submitted an application for fuel allowance on 25 October 2023. An information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 21 November 2023 to complete a Household Composition form, to determine their eligibility.
On receipt of this information, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
367. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to create a single scheme that combines the current reasonable accommodation fund grants and the disability awareness support scheme into one scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52146/23]
View answer368. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to review the application processes for reasonable accommodation fund grants and the disability awareness support scheme with a view to making it less complex, user-friendly and to ensure that it is aligned with a needs-based approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52147/23]
View answer369. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to provide approval in principle for employers and jobseekers applying for reasonable accommodation fund grants and the disability awareness support scheme to assist their planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52148/23]
View answer370. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to extend the supports provided by reasonable accommodation fund grants and the disability awareness support scheme to other employers in the community and voluntary sector and commercial State-sponsored sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52149/23]
View answer371. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to extend the employee retention grant so that it also available to new recruits and employees with pre-existing disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52150/23]
View answer372. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to enhance the disability awareness support scheme to offer wider training that also includes employers who currently do not have a disabled employee on staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52151/23]
View answer373. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to increase the number of support hours (interpreter, in-work support, and so on) eligible for funding under reasonable accommodation fund grants and the disability awareness support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52152/23]
View answer374. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to ensure there are changes to reasonable accommodation fund grants and the disability awareness support scheme to allow for equipment, software, and assistive technologies to be made available where the need arises, including blended working arrangements and full-time working from home arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52153/23]
View answer375. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date to develop a communication plan to ensure targeted and accessible promotion of any reforms to reasonable accommodation fund grants and the disability awareness support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52154/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 to 375, inclusive, together.
My Department provides a wide range of income and employment supports to assist jobseekers and employees with disabilities, and their employers. These supports include the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme.
The Reasonable Accommodation Fund provides financial support for people with disabilities and for employers to help make their workplaces more accessible. The Disability Awareness Support Scheme provides funding for disability awareness training for employees.
I published a review of these schemes at the end of August. The review recommends combining the two schemes into a single flexible scheme, simplifying systems and processes, providing approval in principle, and promoting the reformed scheme.
It also recommends increasing funding, extending workplace needs assessments, and job coaching to new recruits and all existing employees, increasing the number of support hours eligible for funding, providing support for blended working, and opening the scheme to other employers, for example the voluntary and community sector.
My Department is currently working to operationalise these recommendations and I expect to launch a reformed scheme that will give effect to all nine recommendations in Q1 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
376. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total costs incurred by her Department arising from the placing of advertisements with the national broadcaster, RTÉ, in any format, for each of the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52171/23]
View answerPublic information and advertising campaigns are an important part of the department's work and span national and regional print media and radio, digital and social media.
All expenditure is placed through a media buying company procured through an Office of Government Procurement framework. The role of the contracted media buying company is to ensure value for money and the most appropriate media are used to reach our target audience.
The table below details expenditure by my department on advertisements placed with RTÉ from October 2020 to the current date. Please note that the breakdown in spend per media outlet is only available from October 2020.
|
Year |
RTÉ Advertising Spend |
|
2020 (October to December) |
€17,144.00 |
|
2021 |
€195,806.14 |
|
2022 |
€119,716.00 |
|
2023 (to date) |
€60,820.00 |
|
Total |
€393,486.14 |
*Figures exclude VAT and fees
377. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a decision on their application for disability allowance. [52180/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions
I confirm that my department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 25 October 2023. 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.
On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of this application, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
378. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection whether a person who applied for disability allowance before Christmas, but will not receive a decision until after Christmas, will be entitled to back payments to the date of application; and whether these back payments will also include the Christmas bonuses, lump sums and fuel allowance entitlements which accompany the disability allowance. [52181/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
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.
When an application for DA is processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome in writing. If the person has an DA entitlement, they are awarded effective from the date of receipt of their application.
All bonuses, additional payments and Fuel Allowance will be payable to recipients of DA who are awarded/in payment at the date that these bonuses are due to be paid. Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible, including arrears for these additional payments, once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping welfare payments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds upon which an application for the fuel allowance was refused in the case of a person (details supplied); if the application can be reviewed with a view to offering all assistance available in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52183/23]
View answer380. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department, or any body under the aegis of her Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue by organisations (details supplied) from 2020 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52198/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that neither my Department, nor any of the four bodies operating under my Department's remit (Citizens Information Board, Pensions Authority, Pensions Council, Social Welfare Tribunals) facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue with the two organisations named during the period in question.
381. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection when a response will be issued by her Department to this Deputy in relation to a query regarding a household benefit claim (details supplied). [52207/23]
View answerThe person concerned had her entitlement to the Household Benefits Package terminated on 9th February 2016, as she stated on an application form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) that she had moved address. In subsequent conversations with the Community Welfare Officer in relation to this SWA application at the time, the person concerned stated that she moved from her address and was staying some distance away, but declined to give the address to which she had moved.
The person concerned has been sent Household Benefits Package application forms on numerous occasions since then, including as part of the response to the Deputy's query on 26 September, but has not submitted a new application to date. Her entitlement including the issue of backdating can only be examined when a completed application form is received.
I can confirm that, as requested in the email from the Deputy's office on Tuesday, 26th September 2023, a response issued directly to the person concerned later that same evening. The Deputy's Oireachtas email address was copied in this response. A further email was received from the Deputy's office later that evening and an email response issued on 28th September 2023, again to the Deputy's Oireachtas email address. The person concerned was also copied on this email.
The Household Benefits Package is a non-statutory scheme and, as such, decisions are not appealable. Decisions can be reviewed by a higher officer.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
