Frankie Feighan
Ceist:119. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [22038/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit Applications
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
Payment of illness benefit, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered on 18 February 2014 and in accordance with statutory requirements the Department was asked for the relevant documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer comments on the grounds of appeal. In that context an examination by another Medical Assessor was arranged for 13 May 2014 and the Appeals Office will be in contact with the person concerned as soon as the result of the examination is to hand.
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. 120 answered with Question No. 113.
Social Welfare Offices
Ceisteanna (121)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is her intention to advertise the contract to run a replacement social welfare office in Ballinrobe, County Mayo in view of the termination of the contract of the present contract holder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22043/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In addition to its own network of offices, the Department delivers a front-line service to the public at various locations throughout the country through a network of Branch Offices. Each Branch Office is operated under a contract for services by a Branch Manager who acts as an agent for the Department in that particular location.
When a Branch Manager position becomes vacant, a review of the delivery of services in the location is undertaken. If it is decided that the service should continue by way of Branch Office, a competition to select a Branch Manager is held and the position is advertised in local and national newspapers. In the case of Ballinrobe Branch Office, the review of the service provided by the office is still ongoing.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 113.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (123)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 in respect of their disability allowance claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22065/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 29 May 2014. The person concerned will be notified shortly of the arrangements for the 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.
One-Parent Family Payments
Ceisteanna (124)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when one-parent family allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22066/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The one parent family payment of the person concerned was suspended as the Department became aware that she was no longer at her address. The person concerned should provide proof of her current address to her local social welfare office and a review of her claim will be undertaken as soon as possible.
Child Benefit Payments
Ceisteanna (125)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when child benefit will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22067/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Child benefit customers are obliged to notify the child benefit office in writing of any change in their circumstances. As part of the ongoing child benefit eligibility review programme a review certificate issued to the person concerned on the 25 March 2014. The Deputy subsequently made representations on her behalf on the 23 April 2014 and provided the Department with an updated address. The review certificate was returned on the 8 May 2014, but in follow up enquiries by phone the person concerned stated that she does not reside at, or have any connection with either of the addresses known to the Department. She also stated that she is not in a position to provide information on her current address.
All payments due to the person concerned, up to and including May 2014, have issued to the nominated bank account. However, payment due for June 2014 has been suspended pending confirmation of her address. When her new address is received in child benefit section her entitlement will be reviewed.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (126)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against a decision to refuse a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22068/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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.
Child Benefit Eligibility
Ceisteanna (127)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the existence of a letter of authorisation in respect of guardianship in favour of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of their grandchildren, which was submitted to her Department on the 2 August 2013, if review of their entitlement to child benefit and-or guardianship payment can be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22086/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned submitted a letter to the Department regarding guardianship of her grandchildren in March 2013. Her claim was disallowed, as she was not considered the qualified person for receipt of the payment. This decision was confirmed in writing and was the subject of a reply to a PQ (Ref. No. 26529-13). There is no record of further correspondence having been received in August 2013. The mother of the children made it clear in her subsequent child benefit appeal that she was the main carer of the children. The appeal by the mother against the decision to disallow her child benefit claim on habitual residence grounds was unsuccessful; however, it is open to her to submit another application.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 118.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (129)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:129. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22108/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17 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.