Written Answers Nos. 411-427
411. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the safeguards he has put in place to assure jobseekers who have been selected for the JobPath activation scheme that they will not end up being forced into unsuitable and inappropriate jobs; if this can be avoided given that participation in JobPath is mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22124/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll jobseekers are required to engage with the department’s activation service and this obligation applies irrespective of whether the service is provided by the department’s own case officers or those employed by the Local Employment Service or by JobPath. A jobseeker’s payment is conditional on a person seeking employment and being willing to take up suitable employment.
The suitability of employment is a key factor in ensuring that jobs are sustainable. If people are not placed into suitable jobs they are less likely to remain in employment and the JobPath companies will get fewer fees. The fees are payable only in respect of sustained full-time employment.
The JobPath companies work closely with employers to provide them with the best possible candidates for available jobs. It is not in the interests of the JobPath companies to place unsuitable candidates into inappropriate jobs as this will have adverse effects on the companies’ ability to secure jobs for its other clients.
The JobPath companies are subject to regular on-site checks and inspections to ensure that JobPath is delivered in accordance with contractual obligations. My Department is also commissioning customer satisfaction surveys to independently assess if customers are satisfied with the level, and quality, of service delivered by the companies. Failure by the companies to satisfy my Department’s inspectors or to achieve a satisfactory score in the independent survey will result in payment penalties being applied.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
412. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he is taking to reduce the waiting time of 19 weeks before applications for carer's allowance are examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22125/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
At the end of June, there were 6,375 CA applications awaiting decision. The volume of CA claims on hands are a consequence of continued strong claim intake and the delays in processing are frequently exacerbated by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
The Department has introduced a number of measures to address the efficiency of claim processing for CA in light of the current waiting times, including the assignment of temporary and full-time staff and the facility to assign overtime working where appropriate.
These measures will, over the next few months, lead to a significant reduction in the average waiting time. The position is being closely monitored and kept under review by the Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
413. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) under the partial capacity benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a Social Welfare scheme which allows a person return to employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. A person who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a medical assessor who will assess the restriction on their capacity for work.
The PCB application in respect of the person concerned was received in my Department on 15 June 2016. The medical assessment was carried out on 14 July 2016 and the person concerned has been assessed as having a moderate capacity for work.
The corresponding rate of PCB is 50% of their personal rate of illness benefit.
The person concerned has been notified of this decision and has indicated that they intend to commence employment on 2 Aug 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
414. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22175/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for an exceptional needs payment in the case of the person concerned is currently pending. Information requested by the designated officer is currently outstanding and entitlement cannot be determined until the requested information has been submitted by the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
415. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing an application for a disability allowance which was lodged on 26 May 2016 for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22201/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 26 May 2016. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the application a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual DA applications may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the completeness of the information they provide in support of their application.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
416. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will intervene in a case to ensure that a person (details supplied) is not required to make a new carer's allowance application for a relation. [22209/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) in respect of her mother since 10 March 2016. She applied for CA in respect of her sister on 12 April 2016.
Before becoming incapacitated herself, her mother was getting CA to care for the sister of the person concerned from 27 September 2007 to 9 March 2016.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
Despite the fact that there was a different carer in receipt of CA in respect of the same care recipient, each application for CA must be examined by a deciding officer (DO) and dealt with on its own merits and each new applicant must demonstrate that all the qualifying conditions are satisfied.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the DO decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied. The DO has reviewed the evidence on foot of your enquiry and is of the opinion that the evidence supplied is quite scant in relation to details about what care the person requires on an ongoing basis.
The person concerned was notified on 13 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. It is open to the person in question to provide the DO with supplementary detail in relation to the care requirements in this case and it will be reconsidered.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
417. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22213/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe department received a claim for invalidity pension (IP) from the person concerned on the 08 December 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that, based upon the evidence supplied, the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. The person in question was notified on the 06 May 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her rights of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence on 27 May 2016 in support of her request. Following a review of all the information available it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified on the 15 July 2016 of the outcome of the review and of her right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
418. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a carer's support grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Carer’s Support Grant (formerly called Respite Care Grant) was received in my Department on 17 June 2016. This application is being processed as expeditiously as possible having regard to the significant increase in the number of people applying for Carers Support Grant this year.
Once a decision has been made on this case the applicant will be notified.
419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22218/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 17 June 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
420. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22220/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension (IP) with effect from 5 May 2016. Having been in receipt of illness benefit (IB), the person in question qualified for and was in receipt of partial capacity benefit (PCB) when he obtained employment. Based upon his eligibility for IP, PCB will be paid to him at a higher rate effective from 5 May 2016.
PCB at the IP rate, including arrears due from the 05 May 2016 to 18 July 2016, will issue to the nominated bank account of the person concerned on the 19 July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
421. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22226/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person.
On 27 May 2016 the application was referred by a deciding officer (DO) to a social welfare investigative officer (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to the DO, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
422. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22227/16]
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 19 January 2016. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 14 July 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
423. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22233/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 3 December 2015.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
424. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22275/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to the person concerned from 15 April 2010 to 27 January 2016 in respect of two care recipients.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person(s) being cared for must require full-time care and attention.
On foot of a review, a deciding officer (DO) decided that the person concerned was not entitled to payment of CA in respect of one of the care recipients with effect from 29 October 2015. The reason for this decision is that one of the care recipients no longer required full-time care and attention.
This revised decision has given rise to an overpayment of CA to the person concerned for the period from October 2015 to May 2016.
The person concerned was notified on 11 May 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 31 May 2016.
The department is preparing a submission, as required by the SWAO, and the file will be sent to the SWAO shortly for determination.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
425. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on a carer’s allowance review for a person (details supplied). [22276/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 28 January 2016 in respect of two care recipients. It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of either applicant.
The person concerned was notified on 26 May 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. The review is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
426. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22279/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded invalidity pension (IP) with effect from 7 April 2016. The first payment issued to her nominated bank account on the 23 June 2016, which included arrears due for the period 7 April 2016 to 22 June 2016. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 13 June 2016.
The person concerned had applied for an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) on her claim for IP. However, as the person concerned did not supply all the necessary information in relation to the means of the qualified adult at the time of the claim, a decision on this element of the claim could not be made until 18 July 2016.
The person in question has been awarded reduced rate IQA from 7 April 2016 with first payment, including arrears, issuing to her nominated bank account on 21 July 2016. The person in question was notified of this decision on 18 July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
427. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22284/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 17 May 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications.
Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
