Written Answers Nos. 180-196
180. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of medical assessors currently employed by her Department; the number employed in the past five years; if she will provide an update on her plans in respect of same; if she will provide a breakdown by scheme for a first decision on an application for medical assessment; and the same with respect to appeals. [30910/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table shows the numbers of Medical Assessors within the Department in the last 5 years. Fluctuations in these numbers within this period can be attributed to retirements/resignations and also to the numbers actually recruited. There is a current cadre of 25 Medical Assessors plus the Chief Medical Officer and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
In recent years, the Department has made significant efforts to recruit Medical Assessors. DSP, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS), have completed the latest MA recruitment competition and the last appointments from this panel are being made. It is planned to conduct a further recruitment competition with PAS. Furthermore, DSP has advertised on the government procurement website for the engagement of a suitable agency for the provision of agency MAs to supplement the DSP MA cadre. Closing date for receipt of tenders is 23 September 2015.
Please also see tables showing the numbers of medical opinions provided by Medical Assessors to Deciding Officers on applications and appeals for the various Department schemes within the same 5 year period. The number of medical opinions provided varies, depending on the availability of Medical Assessors and on the amount of medical evidence to be assessed.
Number of Medical Assessors in September in Years 2011-2015
|
Year |
Numbers of MAs |
|
September, 2011 |
26 |
|
September, 2012 |
23 |
|
September, 2013 |
21.6 |
|
September, 2014 |
24.4 |
|
September, 2015 |
25.9 |
Breakdown of Numbers of Medical Opinions for Applications in 2011-2015
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carers Allowance |
12,895 |
14,660 |
13,126 |
14,148 |
13,024 |
|
Carers Benefit |
2,004 |
1,829 |
1,740 |
2,049 |
1,591 |
|
Disability Allowance |
15,222 |
22,861 |
17,709 |
19,756 |
17,746 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
1,690 |
1,285 |
1,064 |
1,222 |
894 |
|
Domiciliary Care Scheme |
6,031 |
4,503 |
4,934 |
5,728 |
5,562 |
|
Free Travel |
0 |
851 |
4,643 |
3,812 |
2,718 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
6,835 |
11,219 |
7,753 |
6,702 |
3,180 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
10 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Respite Care Grant Scheme |
2,587 |
2,198 |
1,202 |
736 |
793 |
|
Total |
47,274 |
59,406 |
52,171 |
54,153 |
45,509 |
Breakdown of Appeals Medical Opinions in 2011-2015
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carers Allowance |
456 |
1,173 |
1,919 |
727 |
47 |
|
Carers Benefit |
76 |
101 |
53 |
42 |
51 |
|
Disability Allowance |
1,314 |
3,259 |
1,914 |
1,629 |
220 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
7 |
9 |
11 |
19 |
11 |
|
Domiciliary Care Scheme |
2,781 |
2,547 |
2,407 |
1,773 |
888 |
|
Free Travel |
69 |
81 |
1,006 |
995 |
108 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
0 |
- |
- |
68 |
270 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
0 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Respite Care Grant Scheme |
0 |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
|
Total |
4,703 |
7,172 |
7,310 |
5,253 |
1,599 |
181. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding approved to be paid to a school (details supplied) in County Laois under the school meals programme for 2015-2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30974/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations which benefits over 217,500 children. Despite pressure on the social protection budget, the Government allocated an additional €2 million for the programme in 2015, providing a total allocation of €39 million.
The school referred to by the Deputy, is a DEIS school, and has been allocated a significant increase in funding to €221,869 for the current academic year. The Department has advised the school of the allocation for the current academic year and payment will issue by way of two instalments, the first of which will issue shortly.
182. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30978/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person. On 16th September 2015, the person concerned was requested to supply outstanding information required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on the application. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a rent allowance increase will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30995/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe client concerned has been requested to provide the Department with up to date payslips. On receipt of this documentation, the client's rate of Rent Supplement entitlement can be assessed accordingly.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare [31004/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 23 June 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the social welfare assistance available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31008/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was in receipt of one parent family payment from May 2007 up to July 2015 when she changed onto a jobseekers transition payment (JST). She is currently in receipt of €217.80 per week being the maximum rate of JST payment for one adult and one dependent child.
The person concerned contacted her local office to advise the Department that she was awarded a stipend of €16,000 to facilitate her returning to college in October to complete a PhD.
In the case of the person concerned a stipend income of €16,000 per annum would be assessable on a euro for euro basis resulting in a means assessment of €307.69 per week. This amount would be in excess of her current weekly payment of €217.80 and therefore the person concerned would no longer have an entitlement to a JST payment.
If the person concerned accepts the stipend and pursues her PhD, she would no longer satisfy the eligibility criteria for a rent supplement as she would be considered to be a full-time student and not participating on a government approved education scheme.
The person concerned is in regular contact with a dedicated officer in her local office who is assisting her with her enquiries and clarifying any issues as they arise.
186. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision regarding their farm assist given the fact that this Deputy was advised via correspondence from her Department on 20 July 2015 that the social welfare inspector would have the case finalised by the end of that week; the reason for the delay in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31013/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 May 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. In the case of the person concerned, this involved further investigations by the Social Welfare Inspector. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8 September 2015 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.
187. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 is being reviewed every six months; the reason same cannot be given for a 12 month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31018/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol, a tenant’s circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Department is also working with Threshold’s Tenancy Sustainment service in Dublin where supply is most acute.
The Department of Social Protection has not initiated a review for this client since January 2015 when the client was initially approved under the Interim Tenancy Protocol. However, as the approval period is nearing expiry, Threshold my review this rent supplement in order to ensure compliance with the scheme. Following review, Threshold may then revert to this Department should they consider an extension to be merited.
188. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); the reason it was refused, if on medical or income grounds; if an appeal has been lodged; when the appeal was received; the current time span for consideration of appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31050/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the disability allowance application by the person concerned was refused on both medical and means grounds.
A request for an appeal of this decision was received on 17 August 2015, which included further medical evidence. This has been reviewed and the original decision has been upheld.
The claim will now be forwarded to the social welfare appeals office for determination.
189. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if arrears for disability allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31067/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded disability allowance with effect from 22 April 2015. The first payment was made on 15 July 2015. I can confirm that all arrears due have been issued to the person in question, by their chosen payment method.
190. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position in relation to a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31074/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 14 May 2015. The application was forwarded to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for assessment of the level of care being provided, assessment of means and confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the SWI has completed and submitted their report, the application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
191. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who is in receipt of illness benefit cannot avail of both the partial capacity benefit scheme and the wage subsidy scheme in view of the fact that a person who is in receipt of disability allowance is entitled to participate in both schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31082/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that the details in the examples quoted by the Deputy are incorrect. In the case of the first example, a person on disability allowance (DA) is not eligible to participate on the partial capacity benefit (PCB) scheme, while in the case of the second example, a person on illness benefit for six months can avail of PCB
To clarify the situation, the PCB scheme is designed for people who are on illness benefit, for at least six months, or on invalidity pension and who have retained some capacity for work and wish to work. If awarded, PCB will allow them to continue to receive, in addition to their earnings from employment, a percentage of their illness benefit or invalidity pension payment while working.
A person who is in receipt of disability allowance (DA) is not eligible for participation in the PCB scheme but may take up employment of a rehabilitative nature. Where a person takes up such employment, s/he will have the first €120 of weekly earnings disregarded in the means test for the payment while earnings between €120 and €350 will be assessed at 50 per cent.
The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to the private sector employer, the objective of which is to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities and thereby increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. The scheme provides financial incentives to private sector employers to hire people with a disability for between 21 and 39 hours per week under a contract of employment.
The issue of extending eligibility for the WSS to employers who employ people in receipt of PCB, is now being considered in the context of revising the WSS operational guidelines, but budgetary considerations will be a key factor in arriving at a final decision on the matter.
192. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31086/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnfortunately, due to overall diary commitments, I am unable to meet the ESB Retired Staff Association (RSA) at this time. However, representatives of the ESB RSA have met with officials from the Department on a number of occasions where their concerns were put forward and discussed. I can assure you that I am aware, through briefings and updates given to me, of the concerns of the Association.
Defined benefit schemes in Ireland are set up and maintained by employers on a voluntary basis. Defined benefit pension schemes in Ireland are generally set up under trust and, in that context, the trustees of a pension scheme are required to act in the best interest of all scheme members.
I have no plans to bring forward amendments to the Pensions Act at this time and will continue to monitor the application of the Act on an ongoing basis.
193. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the necessary steps were taken to ensure that there has been no negative impact on lone parents who were affected by the change in their status on 2 July 2015 and their ability or entitlement to access the special maintenance grant from the Student Universal Support Ireland this year and in the coming years. [31093/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecipients of the one-parent family payment (OFP) who were due to transition from that scheme on 2 July 2015 and who were participating in full time education were allowed to retain their OFP payment. If applicable, these individuals were able to retain their Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant, subject to the normal conditions for the grant. The maintenance portion of the grant will continue to be disregarded for means on the OFP payment.
The majority of customers who have transitioned out of the OFP payment since the final phase of the OFP scheme reforms were implemented on 2 July, 2015, have a youngest child aged 7 years and, as such, have moved to the jobseeker’s transitional payment. As these customers can claim this payment until their youngest child turns 14 years of age, this effectively allows them up to seven years to complete their course of education. The jobseeker’s transitional payment allows customers to study full-time and to simultaneously receive the SUSI grant. The maintenance portion of the grant is disregarded when calculating the means for these customers, which is the same arrangement which apply to individuals in receipt of the OFP scheme.
194. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31100/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 9 June 2015. The application was forwarded to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for assessment of the level of care being provided, assessment of means and confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the SWI has completed and submitted their report, the application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
195. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if Gardaí have been seconded to her Department or are working with her Department; the nature of the working relationship and details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31110/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe secondment of 20 Gardaí to the Department to assist the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) with fraud investigation work took effect in early December 2014. It represents a new and unique example of multi-agency working to innovatively address the issue of social welfare fraud.
The primary function of any Gardaí assigned to the SIU is to investigate social welfare fraud. Their role is consistent with the functions already performed by Inspectors in the Unit. Seconded Gardaí have been duly appointed as social welfare inspectors, as provided for in legislation.
They are responsible for fraud investigations and ensuring that fraud control activity is undertaken within the three main pillars of the Department’s Compliance and Anti-Fraud Initiative, namely prevention, detection and deterrence.
The Gardaí are also working closely with other compliance and fraud investigation agencies to ensure that social welfare fraud is comprehensively deterred and detected. This interagency activity is a key element to assist in fraud investigation and the shadow/hidden economy is a key priority for joint investigations.
Overall, they are actively engaged in the detection and prosecution of more serious cases of identity fraud or multiple claiming of social welfare payments. In this context, it should be noted that a number of successful prosecutions have already been secured through the courts.
