Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 April 2012
125 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of domiciliary care applications going forward for oral hearing; the reasons for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20856/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there are currently 69 domiciliary care applications scheduled for oral hearing.
Oral hearings are granted at the discretion of the Appeals Officer based on the nature and circumstances of the case.
126 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20862/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence allowed the appeal, of the person concerned, by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 18th April 2012.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
127 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection when a date for social welfare appeal can be expected in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20875/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
128 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when will a review and a decision will be made on an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20878/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe continued entitlement to domiciliary care allowance (DCA) of the person concerned was reviewed on 3rd April 2012. The case was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors, who reviewed the entitlement of the child based on the medical review form submitted and found that the child was no longer medically eligible for the allowance.
The person concerned was notified of the decision and has now supplied further information in support of her case. An appeal against the decision is currently being registered and as part of the appeal process, the case will be forwarded to another of the Department's Medical Assessors for further consideration, including a review of all new supporting information supplied. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor's opinion, the case will be further examined by the deciding officer and will be forwarded for consideration by the Appeals Office, if necessary.
