Written Answers Nos. 62-67
62. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a determination will be made on an appeal for deserted wife's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13614/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24th March 2015. 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 papers 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.
63. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the Money Advice and Budgetary Service will be represented on the Citizens Information Board in view of its important role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13670/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislative provisions governing Board membership of the CIB are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000, the Citizens Information Act 2007, and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011. In September 2014, the Government agreed new arrangements for filling State Board vacancies and new Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards were issued in November 2014. Vacancies on the Board of CIB are filled in accordance with these new Guidelines and the legislative requirements.
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 provided for the transfer of responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to the Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. CIB delivers on its remit to provide services to the public by supporting a network of delivery partners which includes 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS).
64. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the hearing of an appeal relating to carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, which hearing initially commenced and then adjourned, and is now waiting to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13792/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that at a previous oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned it was agreed the case would be further investigated by a Social Welfare Inspector.
Following a further interview by the Social Welfare Inspector in August 2014 it was agreed that the person concerned would supply details of farm expenses for 2013 and Single Farm Payment letter from the Department of Agriculture for 2013. To date this information has not been supplied.
On receipt of the requested information, the case in question will be considered by 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.
65. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department is sending letters encouraging persons to receive welfare payments directly to their bank account rather than by collection at a post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13795/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe letters recently issued by the Department to 2,800 recipients of State Pension Contributory and Non Contributory were part of a very small trial to determine the best means of communicating with people about their payment options. Customers were asked whether they would like to consider receiving their payment directly into an account in a bank, building society, certain credit union accounts or An Post. Customer engagement was entirely voluntary with no negative consequences for customers who chose not to respond or engage. All existing payment options remain in place as heretofore.
We are all aware of the general societal trend to electronic payments. This trend undeniably presents a challenge for the current business model of An Post. In this context I am pleased to note that An Post has advertised for services relating to a new payments and transaction account. I look forward to that account becoming available in the not too distant future.
66. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider retaining a social welfare office in Lucan village in County Dublin to cater for the large population in this area and for persons who do not have their own transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13826/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the plan for the roll-out of Intreo Centres, the Lucan/Adamstown and Clondalkin areas have been designated by the Department for the provision of Intreo services.
The Office of Public Works has been exploring options in both Lucan and Adamstown for an Intreo Centre, but given the limited choice of suitably sized and located offices, complex property and development issues, and third party interests, this process is taking longer than expected. The Department is anxious to see the Intreo service delivered in the area within a reasonable timeframe.
In the meantime a review was undertaken of the existing delivery of services in Lucan, in the context of the pathways to work programme and the development of the Intreo Service in Clondalkin resulting in a requirement for some re-balancing of resources across the Division’s range of activities, to assess how to continue to provide an effective and flexible service for clients. The works currently ongoing in Clondalkin, where Intreo services will be provided from both the existing Local Office and the former Motor Tax Office, are scheduled to be completed by the end of May 2015.
It is proposed to re-locate the CWS staff and the Inspectorate that currently operate out of Lucan Health Centre and Chapel Hill respectively to Clondalkin creating a hub which will allow for greater flexibility in planning for service delivery. Customers will travel to Clondalkin for community welfare services; however, the introduction of an email/postal/phone service will serve to address this issue and minimise/eliminate the need for customers to travel to Clondalkin. A call out/home visit service will also be available for customers who are unable to travel. Similar arrangements will be put in place in respect of the Inspectorate. Clients from Adamstown/Lucan currently sign in the Clondalkin office.
The impact of these changes will be monitored on an on-going basis to ensure that any negative impact on customer service is minimised.
These changes will be revisited when a suitable premises is located in Adamstown/Lucan area.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the current position in regard to determining eligibility for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13833/15]
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.
This department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 13 January 2015. On 1 April 2015 his claim for IP was refused by a deciding officer (DO) on the grounds that he does not satisfy the medical conditions for IP. The person in question has been notified of the decision, the reason(s) for it and of his right to seek a review of this decision or to lodge an appeal to the social welfare appeals office.
At present, the person concerned is in receipt of Disability Allowance (DA) from this department since 01 October 2014 at a reduced rate consequent on means.
Disability Allowance (DA) is a payment to persons with a disability which has lasted or is expected to last for at least 1 year and who, by reason of that disability, is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications. In addition, the person must be aged between 16 and 66 years, habitually resident in the State and must satisfy a means test.
