Michael Ring
Ceist:1663 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not being paid the full entitlement to child benefit for both their children. [15729/02]
Vol. 554 No. 5
1663 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not being paid the full entitlement to child benefit for both their children. [15729/02]
Child benefit is paid up to the age of 16 year or up to the age of 19 where a child is in full-time education.
The person concerned is in receipt of child benefit at a monthly rate of €117.60 in respect of his daughter. This will be paid up to May 2003 when she will be 19 years old. Payment in respect of his son ceased in August, the month of his 16th birthday. Payment will be restored in respect of this child subject to confirmation from the relevant school or college that he is receiving full-time education.
1664 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason an application by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath for a widow's contributory pension has not been finalised; and if this case can be expedited. [15792/02]
The person concerned received widow's contributory pension between 17 October 1986 and 8 April 1994. Her entitlement was discontinued on the grounds that she and another person were cohabiting as husband and wife. An appeals officer subsequently upheld the deciding officer's decision.
The person concerned reapplied for widow's contributory pension on 2 October 2001. She was awarded payment at the maximum weekly rate of €113.13 or £89.10 with effect from 5 October 2001. At present she is in receipt of this payment at the weekly rate of €123.30 and a fuel allowance of €9.
In the light of the information and evidence available the deciding officer concluded that there is no basis on which to backdate widow's contributory pension. A letter of clarification will issue to the person concerned as soon as possible and she will be informed of her right of appeal.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
1665 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the duration of delays, per section, in processing applications for various payments from her Department; and her proposals to eliminate these long delays. [15793/02]
My Department is committed to providing quality customer service for all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and entitlements issued as quickly as possible having regard to the eligibility conditions which apply.
Scheme |
Weeks |
One parent family payment (separated) |
16 |
Carer's allowance |
13 |
One parent family payment (unmarried) |
10 |
Old age contributory pension |
10 |
Disability allowance |
9 |
Old age non-contributory pension |
8 |
Free electricity etc. allowance |
8 |
Retirement pension |
8 |
Invalidity pension |
7 |
Widow's non-contributory pension |
5 |
Widow's contributory pension |
4 |
Unemployment assistance |
4 |
Bereavement grant |
3 |
Disability benefit |
2 |
Unemployment benefit |
3 |
Child benefit |
2 |
Family income supplement |
2 |
ActivityNew Claims |
StandardClearance Time(1) |
StatusPerformance |
% |
||
Old age contributory pension(2) |
55% in 5 weeks |
46 |
Retirement pension |
80% in 5 weeks |
71 |
Widow(er)'s contributory pension |
80% in 5 weeks |
78 |
Old age non-contributory pension |
65% in 8 weeks |
57 |
Blind pension |
65% in 8 weeks |
57 |
Widow(er)'s non-contributory pension and one parent family payment (widow) |
75% in 5 weeks |
87 |
One parent family (unmarried parent) |
65% in 8 weeks |
31 |
One parent family (separated spouse) |
65% in 12 weeks |
38 |
Carer's allowance |
80% in 8 weeks |
26 |
Free schemes |
70% in 5 weeks |
51 |
Unemployment benefit |
85% in 2 weeks |
71 |
Unemployment assistance |
70% in 2 weeks |
52 |
Disability benefit |
90% in 1 week |
74 |
ActivityNew Claims |
StandardClearance Time(1) |
StatusPerformance |
% |
||
Treatment benefit(3) |
90% in 2 weeks |
78 |
Child benefit |
90% in 1 week |
53 |
Maternity (before commencement of benefit) |
80% |
72 |
Family income supplement |
70% in 3 weeks |
82 |
Invalidity pension |
70% in 9 weeks |
68 |
Disability allowance |
70% in 9 weeks |
60 |
Arrears |
||
PSO (Sligo) |
80% within 3 weeks of |
87 |
Longford SWS |
being put in payment |
80 |
1666 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if entitlements are due to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15794/02]
The person concerned, who is engaged in a third level course of study, was not in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment prior to participation in the course.
The back to education allowance is a second chance educational opportunities programme designed to encourage and facilitate certain groups, including people who have been unemployed for a certain minimum period, to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active workforce.
To qualify for participation an applicant must, inter alia, be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months or 156 days immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study. As the person concerned was not in receipt of a payment she is not eligible for the allowance.