Noel Coonan
Ceist:159. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary [50355/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (159)
Freagraí scríofa
I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 26th September 2012. Once a deciding officer has carried out all the necessary investigations in relation to this application, a decision will issue directly to the person in question.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (160)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:160. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50362/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 23 August 2012. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (161)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:161. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50364/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28 August 2012. 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. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
Question No. 162 withdrawn.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (163)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:163. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a disability allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50370/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, allowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 7 November 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.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (164)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:164. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for domiciliary care allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50386/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on the 2nd July 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who considered that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 20th August 2012 advising of the decision. The person concerned subsequently requested a review of the decision. The case was reviewed by another Medical Assessor on the 12th November 2012, who, having examined all the information supplied, confirmed the opinion that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 12th November 2012 advising of the decision.
As the person concerned had only requested a review of the case it is now open to her to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (165)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:165. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for domiciliary care allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50387/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on the 11th April 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for DCA. A letter issued on the 1st June 2012 refusing the allowance. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision.
As part of the appeal process, the case has been forwarded to another of the Department’s Medical Assessors for further consideration, including a review of any new information supplied. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the case will be further examined and will be forwarded for consideration by the Appeals Office, if necessary.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (166)
Noel Coonan
Ceist:166. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for domiciliary care allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50388/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 19th October 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 5th January 2012 advising of the decision. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision and supplied additional information on the child’s condition. As part of the appeal process, the application along with the additional information provided was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who found the child to be medically eligible for the allowance.
The person concerned was notified of the decision on the 23rd October 2012 and the first payment will issue on 20th November 2012.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Data
Ceisteanna (167)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form per county the number of persons who have applied for supplementary welfare allowance who have left the home due to domestic violence for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date; the number of these that have been refused; her views on whether it is appropriate that community welfare officers have complete discretion in awarding payments in the case of domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50408/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is considered the "safety net " within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. SWA can consist of a basic primary weekly payment and/or a weekly/monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses a person may not be able to meet (e.g. rent supplement). It can also consist of a once-off payment to help with the cost of any exceptional needs of a once-off nature.
Statistics are not available on the number of SWA applications received from customers who have left their homes due to domestic violence for the past 3 years and to date in 2012 or the outcome of those applications.
Where a claimant’s safety and wellbeing are at risk due to domestic violence Department officials administering the SWA scheme have discretionary powers to expedite the award of a payment to the person in question. I am satisfied that the discretionary powers available to Department officials administering the SWA scheme are appropriate to assist those affected by domestic violence.