Written Answers Nos. 69-86
69. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an invalidity pension appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16395/15]
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 pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 27 January 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 27 March 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and has submitted further medical evidence in support of his request. This review will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. If the outcome of the review is not in favour of the person in question, s/he will have the right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
70. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16434/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 17 February 2015. 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 have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 15 April 2015 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.
71. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance application will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16447/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 4 March 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
72. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons working in part-time retail positions that needed income support or social welfare benefits in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16451/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not hold any statistics on the number of persons working in part-time retail positions that needed income support or social welfare benefits in 2014.
73. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection is she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16473/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the person in question is in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) in respect of one care recipient. I further confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance for a second care recipient from the person in question on the 10th April 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for an exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16480/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn exceptional needs payment application form issued to the person concerned on 10 December 2014 from the local Community Welfare Officer. Once the forms are returned a decision with regard to eligibility may be made.
75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16550/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to determine the circumstances of the person concerned his file was forwarded to his local Social Welfare Inspector. The Inspector met with the spouse of the person concerned, as he is not capable of communicating himself, and is currently compiling his report.
A final decision on his entitlement to disability allowance will be given on receipt of the Social Welfare Inspectors report. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
76. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for a disability allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16551/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 1 April 2015. 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 16 April 2015 and the case will now 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.
77. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16552/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 24th February 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome
78. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16554/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 April 2015, 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.
79. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16555/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 9th February 2015. The application is currently being processed and the deciding officer has requested additional information/documentation from the person concerned. Once the requested information/documentation has been received the application process will be completed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
80. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16556/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to convene an oral hearing in this case.
Every effort will be made to hear the case as quickly as possible and the appellant will be informed when arrangements for the oral hearing have been made.
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.
81. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16557/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to determine the weekly means of the person concerned, her file was forwarded to the Social Welfare Inspector. The Inspector met with the person concerned and requested her spouse’s payslips in order to compile a report.
On receipt of this information, the inspector will complete his report. The person concerned will be notified in writing when a decision is made on her application.
82. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16567/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 April 2015, 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.
83. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16568/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 16 April 2015, 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.
84. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16570/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the case in question was referred, by an Appeals Officer, to a Social Welfare Inspector to further investigate the means and circumstances of the person concerned.
The Social Welfare Inspector informed the Appeals Office on 13 April 2015 that he has requested a number of relevant documents from the person concerned and is presently awaiting a response.
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.
85. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16571/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA disability allowance (DA) application from the person concerned was disallowed on 2 December 2011 on the basis that he was deemed to be medically unsuitable for the scheme. Further medical evidence was received and this was reviewed on 26 June 2012. There was no change to the original decision and this was notified to the person concerned. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has confirmed that no appeal has been registered to date in this case.
The department has received a new application for DA on 2 April 2015 and this is currently being processed. A decision will be made on this application and the person will be notified directly of the outcome.
86. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person can expect a decision in relation to it. [16573/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 27 March 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
