Thursday, 10 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 94 - 100

Farm Assist Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (94)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of farmers in receipt of farm assist, broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17175/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the tabular statement.

Farmers in Receipt of Farm Assistance at 31 March 2014	-
County	Recipients
Carlow	76
Cavan	543
Clare	539
Cork	806
Donegal	1,453
Dublin	27
Galway	1,012
Kerry	726
Kildare	40
Kilkenny	120
Laoighis	122
Leitrim	382
Limerick	224
Longford	225
Louth	73
Mayo	1,428
Meath	77
Monaghan	440
Offaly	93
Roscommon	381
Sligo	278
Tipperary	356
Waterford	82
Westmeath	155
Wexford	216
Wicklow	66
Total	9,940

Rural Social Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (95)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

95. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants on the rural social scheme, broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17176/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The rural social scheme (RSS) currently provides work opportunities for 2,600 participants and 130 supervisory staff. Overall responsibility for the RSS rests with the Department of Social Protection with day-to-day operations delivered by 35 local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta (implementing bodies). The sum of €45m has been allocated for 2014, which will allow the scheme to continue along the same lines as in previous years but does not allow for recruitment above the numbers stated above.

The table below gives a county breakdown of the 2,527 participants on the scheme at the end of February 2014. The full 2,600 placements have been allocated and recruitment to the vacant positions is underway by individual implementing bodies.

RSS Total Paid Participants 28/2/14 (Week 9)	-
County	Paid Participants
Carlow	18
Cavan	81
Clare	115
Cork	165
Donegal	222
Galway	272
Kerry	269
Kildare	23
Kilkenny	18
Laois	23
Leitrim	97
Limerick	74
Longford	49
Louth	11
Mayo	553
Meath	13
Monaghan	42
Offaly	41
Roscommon	146
Sligo	124
Tipperary	65
Waterford	11
Westmeath	38
Wexford	38
Wicklow	19
Grand Total	2,527

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (96)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

96. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a supplementary welfare allowance appeal and a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17180/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that appeals for Supplementary Welfare Allowance and for Disability Allowance by the person concerned were registered in that office on 5 February 2014 and 13 March 2013 respectively. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officers on the grounds of the appeals be sought from the Department of Social Protection.

These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office with respect to the Supplementary Welfare Allowance appeal of the person concerned on 6 March 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

When the papers relating to the Disability Allowance appeal of the person concerned are received from the Department, that appeal will also be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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.

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Ceisteanna (97)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

97. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision will be made in respect of this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17185/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 September 2013. 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 11 February 2014 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 85.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (99)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when arrears of disability allowance arising from an appeal dated 2 December 2013 will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17206/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Following a successful appeal of a decision to disallow the person’s disability allowance the person’s payment was reinstated on 18 December 2014.

In order to establish the means and residency of the person for the period 30 March 2011 to 17 December 2013 his file was sent to a social welfare investigator for a report on the circumstances of the case. On receipt of the investigator’s report a decision will be made on the period in question and arrears due will be issued.

Household Benefits Scheme

Ceisteanna (100)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which recipients of disability allowance qualify for household package payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17207/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

My Department will spend an estimated €229.9 million in 2014 on the household benefits package for over 413,000 customers some of whom are in receipt of disability allowance. The package currently comprises the electricity or gas allowance of €35 per month and the free television licence. The telephone allowance was discontinued with effect from January, 2014.

The table below gives details the household benefits which disability allowance customers were claiming at the end of December, 2013.

Disability Allowance	Free Electricity Allowance	Free Television Licence	Free Telephone Allowance	Natural Gas Allowance
-	35,544	39,238	36,379	3,379