Written Answers Nos. 233-243
233. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20086/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 29 April 2014, 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
234. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine an invalidity appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20090/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 February 2014. 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 28 April 2014 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. 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.
235. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal lodged in respect of a person (details supplied) on April 17 is still not registered on the appeal system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20092/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 30 April 2014. 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 these have been received from the Department, the case 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 appeal 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.
238. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the predicament faced by employees of Offaly County Council job initiative scheme who are currently in limbo; if she will arrange for her Department to confirm to Offaly County Council that funding for the job initiative scheme will continue at the same level as had applied for 2014 and subsequent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20107/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiscussions are ongoing between this department and Offaly County Council. However, the matter is primarily one for Offaly County Council who made the original decision to cease the job initiative scheme.
241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if clarification will be given as to how means of €377 have been assessed against her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20134/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person’s disability allowance application was disallowed on 16 April, 2014 on the basis that her weekly means exceeded the statutory limit allowable for a person in her circumstances. The means assessed against the person were derived from earnings from her spouse's employment. If the person’s circumstances change in the future it is open to her to re-apply for disability allowance.
