Written Answers Nos. 77-83
77. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 who is married with one child is worse off on a community employment scheme than if he were just drawing jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4345/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has completed 221 weeks to date on Community Employment (CE) and is currently a participant on Sandymount CE Scheme.
Prior to his commencement on Community Employment he was in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance to the value of €342.60 with additional Fuel allowance of €20.00 which totals to €362.60 per week.
The calculation of his entitlement on CE is as follows:
|
- |
Total |
|
Participant |
€208.00 (= €188 + €20 CE Bonus) |
|
+ Adult Dependant |
€124.80 |
|
+ 1 Child Dependant |
€29.80 |
|
CE Payment |
€362.60 (outside of fuel season) |
|
+ €20.00 for the Fuel Season |
€20.00 |
|
Currently receiving |
€382.60 (during fuel season) |
Therefore, the person concerned is in receipt of the €20.00 CE Participation bonus and is receiving €20 more than the equivalent Jobseeker's Allowance for his family circumstances.
The Department reviewed the changes on Community Employment and other programmes following the passing of the Social Welfare Act 2012. As participants on CE are employees of schemes, CE sponsors are obliged to pay PRSI at the appropriate class (A8/A9).
For the majority of CE participants who are earning €352.00 or less, there will be no change as the 0% Class A8 rate of Employees PRSI applies. However, the change will affect CE participants who earn in excess of €352 per week. These participants are now subject to the revised Class A9 rate of Employees PRSI and will pay 4% on the total income (the €127 disregard has been abolished under Section 6 of the above Act). For those CE participants their income will be amended accordingly.
PRSI bands are applied on this basis to all persons in employment, including those on CE schemes and the payment carries the same benefits and entitlements under PRSI for all.
The potential advantage to the CE participant outside of the financial impact as outlined above in taking up a CE place, is access to funding for education and training and the opportunity to pursue a FETAC Major Award. This combined with the work experience will greatly enhance the opportunity to gain employment and exit the Live Register.
78. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in issuing a decision on a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4357/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to partially allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in writing on 27th January 2014.
There has been a rapid and sustained increase in the number of appeals received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2009 which has placed extraordinary pressure on the office. Up to 2009, the average number of appeals received was 15,000 per annum whereas in 2012 and 2013 the number of appeals received was 35,484, and 32,777 respectively. In order to manage this increased workload significant resources and efforts have been put into reducing backlogs and improving appeals processing times for appellants, including the assignment of 15 additional Appeals Officers, in addition to 10 former Community Welfare Service Appeals Officers who joined the office in 2011, bringing the total number of Appeals Officers to 41; reviewing and improving businesses processes; and implementing a new operating model within the appeals office. A major programme of process redesign and modernisation is also under way in the Department in many of its scheme areas aimed at reducing backlogs and reducing the time taken in the Department to respond to requests from the appeals office for submissions in relation to appeals.
These efforts have led to improvements in processing times. In 2011 the average processing time for an appeal requiring an oral hearing was 52.5 weeks and 25.1 weeks for a summary decision. In 2013 the equivalent average appeal processing times were 33.9 weeks for an oral hearing and 25.8 weeks for a summary decision. There has also been an improvement in the numbers of appeals finalised from 32,558 in 2012 to 38,421 in 2013. The number of appeals on hands has also reduced - from 20,414 at the 1st January 2013 to 14,770 at 1st January 2014.
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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4377/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
A claim for IP for the person concerned received on 16 August 2011 was refused on the grounds that the claimant was considered not to satisfy the medical criteria.
A further claim for IP was received for the person concerned on 22 November 2013. In order to establish medical suitability, a diagnostic report issued to the applicant on 16 December 2013 to be completed by his general practitioner or other treating physician. To date the diagnostic report has not been returned. It is important that the claimant return this report to ensure that Department has all relevant and up-to-date supporting medical evidence when deciding his claim.
On receipt of the completed report (and supporting evidence, if applicable) the eligibility of the person in question will be determined and they will be notified by a deciding officer of the decision.
81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the amount of jobseeker's allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4406/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker’s allowance claim of the person concerned has been reviewed. Arrears due will be included in the payment of 30 January 2014.
83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date on an application for rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare on foot of further information submitted to the section on 6 January 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4426/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rent supplement claim for this client has been reassessed, accordingly arrears will be paid at the end of this month.
