Tuesday, 22 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 296-317

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Ceisteanna (296)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

296. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can be granted an extension to their community employment scheme. [36142/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Community Employment has three options each with its own set of qualifying conditions, namely:

Part Time Integration Option (PTI)

Part Time Job Option (PTJ)

Service Support Stream – SSS (Pilot)

This client has been employed by Enable Ireland on CE since 6 January 2014 under the Part Time Integration Option (PTI).

This is the only option that the client is eligible for as she had been in receipt of a qualifying payment for less than three years.

It is a 12-month work programme with training and development opportunities which offers eligible participants part-time work and training for one year. In certain circumstances some participants may be re-engaged for a consecutive 12 months, with approval from my Department where this is deemed to further their employment prospects.

It was on this basis that this client has already been previously granted additional time on Community Employment. As a result, it is not possible to extend the client’s time for any further period and her finishing date is Friday, 30 December 2016.

I trust that this clarified the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Legislation

Ceisteanna (297)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

297. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 19 May 2016, if he will provide an update on the matter. [36151/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The matter of a pension for Community Employment Scheme Supervisors is currently being considered by a high level working group set up under the auspices of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This Group includes officials from the Departments of Public Expenditure, Social Protection and Environment, Community and Local Government, as well as from Pobal and the two unions representing CE supervisors - SIPTU and IMPACT.

The work of the group is on-going. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Ceisteanna (298)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

298. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application from August 2016 for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36182/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

Invalidity 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.

To qualify for IP a claimant, inter-alia, must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.

The department received a claim for IP for the gentleman concerned on 12 August 2016. In order to confirm his full contribution history and record, his case has been referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) for investigation. On return of the SWI’s report, his claim will be processed further and a deciding officer will be in direct contact with him regarding progress.

In the meantime, the gentleman is in receipt of a weekly illness benefit payment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (299)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 2 November 2016, if he will address the issues raised in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36185/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The situation in relation to this person’s entitlements was explained in replying to the deputy’s most recent PQ in the matter - Question No. 213 of 2 November. As the matter stands there has been no claim made to the Department in respect of the period involved from when he was disallowed jobseekers allowance at an address in Kildare, subsequently upheld on Appeal, and him making a new claim for jobseekers allowance at the family home in Dublin 15.

Therefore, as there has been no claim to investigate for this period, the Department cannot comment on the specific matters raised in the deputy’s current question. However, as previously advised in earlier replies, he is free to present any additional or new evidence in relation to the decision of the Appeals Office whereupon the Department may consider a revised decision or referring the matter for the attention of the Appeals Office. Similarly, any additional or new evidence in respect of the decision to award him jobseeker's allowance since May 2016 should be brought to the attention of the Department for consideration.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Question No. 300 answered with Question No. 60.

Rural Social Scheme

Ceisteanna (301)

John Paul Phelan

Ceist:

301. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the expansion of the rural social scheme following budget 2017; the way in which the extra places will be spread throughout the country; when this will take place; the funding that is being put forward for the scheme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36187/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The purpose of the rural social scheme (RSS) is to provide income support to farmers and fishermen and women who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. The Government, as part of the budget package for 2017, announced 500 additional places on the scheme which will increase the overall number to 3,100. The level of funding allocated to the RSS in the budget day estimates for 2017 is €44.4m.

A request for expressions of interest in additional RSS places was recently sent to all RSS Implementing Bodies. My Department intends allocating these places as early as possible in 2017 taking into account a number of factors. These include the number of places already allocated, the demand for new places in particular areas, work opportunities available in local areas and the numbers of farmers and fishermen and women in receipt of income support.

In allocating the additional places, the Government recognises the benefits the RSS provides for participants and their families, as well as the valuable contribution the scheme is making to the provision of services in communities across Ireland. It is not possible at this stage to give the exact locations as to where these 500 additional places will be allocated.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Fraud

Ceisteanna (302)

John Paul Phelan

Ceist:

302. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place to identify welfare fraud; and his plans to tackle same. [36188/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The majority of people in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection receive what they are entitled to. Nevertheless, the Department recognises that abuse of the welfare system is an ongoing reality and must be tackled through a range of measures. These measures are governed by the Department’s Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2014 – 2018. The actions set out in the strategy are designed to prevent and detect fraud, to ensure effective oversight of schemes, to pursue prosecution of offenders and to pursue the recovery of any overpaid entitlements identified.

All Departmental staff exercise a control and compliance function in processing new applications and reviewing existing entitlements. The systems used to support schemes are designed to detect wrongful claiming and to highlight anomalies. In addition, the Department’s inspectorate undertakes detailed examination of claims on a risk assessed and random basis. This is supplemented by at least three fraud and error surveys of Departmental schemes annually and the findings from the surveys are used to tighten control measures around schemes, where this is found to be warranted. The survey reports are published and subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

In addition, the Deputy should note that my Department’s Special Investigation Unit, which comprises trained inspectors and Garda officers, is tasked with undertaking targeted and systematic examination of claims to tackle fraud and to work with other enforcement agencies to identify more serious breaches of the law.

Cross-functional and targeted actions are undertaken - both internally and in joint operations with other national and international agencies - to ensure a strategic response to high risk sectors or where fraud is considered to be most prevalent. In particular, actions are focused on sectors of the economy where there is a risk of concurrent working and claiming social welfare payments.

Overall, my Department conducts of the order of one million reviews annually comprising customer entitlement reviews, inspections and special investigations.

The Deputy should also note that the continued roll-out of the Public Services Card has considerably reduced the potential for identity fraud and the Department has deployed identity and analytics software and other intelligence systems to reinforce its fraud prevention work.

Members of the public also play an important role in supporting these anti-fraud activities and some 17,000 reports from concerned citizens have been processed already in 2016.

The Compliance and Anti-Fraud Strategy 2014 – 2018 and annual updates on progress are published on the Department’s website: www.welfare.ie.

Finally, the Deputy should note that I am looking at various control measures that I hope to roll out in 2017 to strengthen the legislative provisions to deter abuse of the social welfare system. These include publishing the names of persons who are prosecuted for social welfare fraud and applying interest on overpayments resulting from fraud.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Social Welfare Code Reform

Ceisteanna (303)

John Paul Phelan

Ceist:

303. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of discussions taking place on a framework for closed certification and diagnosis coding on certificates and electronic transmission of certificates. [36189/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Closed certification was launched in September 2015 in agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation and the National Association of GPs who welcomed the guidelines. The closed certification guidelines were developed following a six-month research study carried out by my Department’s Medical Review and Assessment Service in conjunction with a group of GPs. The study demonstrated that participating GPs considered the guidelines helpful in their interactions with patients and that they resulted in better outcomes for patients. The guidelines are not prescriptive. There will, undoubtedly, be individual variations, some patients recovering and returning to work earlier than expected, others later. Ultimately, the clinical judgement of the treating GP should prevail.

My department is involved in a modernisation project of its illness and injury benefit schemes which provided the opportunity to design a new medical certificate for these schemes. Discussions are on-going to agree a list of common conditions and the use of the ICD10 international standard for coding.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that exploratory talks are taking place to examine whether the HSE HealthLink service could be leveraged for the transmission of electronic certificates. A considerable amount of further discussion will be required before any determination is made on a move to this service.

My Department will continue to progress these matters with the relevant stakeholders.

I hope that clarifies the matter for the deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Ceisteanna (304)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

304. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36194/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 23 September 2016. 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Ceisteanna (305)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

305. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection if a Brexit sub-committee has been established in his Department; if so, when the sub-committee was convened; the number of times the sub-committee has met; the number of members on the sub-committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36210/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Management Board of the Department of Social Protection has been fully engaged with the social protection implications of the vote by the UK to leave the EU and the earlier negotiations on the UK’s relationship with the EU and receives regular updates on the key developments relating to Brexit.

Following a decision by the Management Board in November 2015, a sub-group of the Board was established and regular updates are given to the Management Board of the Department.

The group is chaired by an Assistant Secretary who is also a member of the Interdepartmental Group on EU UK chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach which has a whole-of-government co-ordination role on Brexit.

The Management Board sub-group undertakes its work in a number of ways, depending on the particular circumstances, including by email, phone exchanges and by way of formal meetings. It comprises 4 members of the Management Board and 2 members of the Department’s EU and International Unit. Other Departmental personnel assist this sub-group as the need requires. The sub-group has held 3 meetings since February 2016.

A Cross-Divisional Group has also been established to examine the detailed implications of Brexit for the various operations of the Department. This group, which comprises representatives from the various payments sections and relevant policy and support sections, met in July 2016 and has undertaken an initial assessment of the implications of Brexit on a scheme by scheme basis.

However, a particular impediment to undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the social protection implications of Brexit is the lack of clarity as to the UK’s intentions in this area. Free movement of EU workers and citizens was one of the central issues involved in the debates leading up to the UK vote to leave the EU. Therefore, the potential social protection implications of that vote are intrinsically linked to the issues involved in the free movement of EU workers and citizens. Until such time as the UK has itself decided what relationship it wishes to have with the EU following its withdrawal, the precise implications of Brexit for the Department of Social Protection will remain unclear.

A number of cross-Departmental Brexit-related committees have been established and are being serviced by members of the Department’s Management Board sub-group, including the Interdepartmental Committee on Brexit and its sub-committee on the Common Travel Area and the Senior Officials Group on EU Affairs. In addition, the Minister for Social Protection is a member of the Cabinet Committee on Brexit, as well as being a member of the North-South Ministerial Council and the British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (306)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

306. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of vacant sites, properties and land owned by his Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department, in the Dublin City Council area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36227/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Social Welfare Tribunal.

Neither my Department nor the statutory bodies operating under its aegis own vacant sites, properties or land in the Dublin City Council area.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (307)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

307. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a supplementary welfare allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied). [36246/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

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 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.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (308)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

308. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer's allowance was not approved for the care of a person (details supplied); and if this application will be reviewed. [36248/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received in respect of the care of the person concerned on 23 April 2015.

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.

The CA applicant was notified on 3 November 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The CA applicant appealed the decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application. On 29 March 2016 an appeals officer (AO) disallowed the appeal on the grounds that although the evidence indicated that the care recipient does require a level of care, it had not been established that his medical condition was such that he required full-time care and attention in line with the provisions of social welfare legislation. The CA applicant was notified directly of the outcome on 5 April 2016.

The decision of an AO is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of new and relevant facts or evidence not available at the time of the appeal determination.

If he believes that he now may qualify, it is open to the CA applicant to re-apply for CA and the new application will be examined and determined afresh by my Department in due course.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 309 withdrawn.

One-Parent Family Payment Data

Ceisteanna (310)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of women previously in receipt of one-parent family allowance that have experienced a net reduction in their weekly income arising from the changes that have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36288/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The final phase of the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) age reforms were introduced on 2 July, 2015 bringing the maximum age of the youngest child for receipt of OFP to 7 years for all recipients.

Approximately 25,500 customers transitioned from the OFP scheme on that date.

The majority of customers transitioned to the Jobseeker’s Transitional payment (JST), the Jobseeker’s Allowance payment (JA), and the Family Income Supplement (FIS):

- 13,600 (or 54%) of them moved to the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST);

- 2,500 (or 10%) of them moved to the Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) scheme, and

- 8,100 (or 32%) of them moved to the Family Income Supplement (FIS) scheme.

The majority of these customers were women given that currently 98% of one-parent family payment recipients are women.

For the customers who transitioned on 2 July, 2015:

Approximately 12,000 (47%) incurred no change in their income;

Approximately 3,000 (12%) became new FIS recipients and saw an increase in their income. These new recipients were also eligible for the Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD).

Approximately 4,900 (19%) of the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment cohort suffered an income loss at the time. However, in Budget 2016 these individuals gained in their overall income when the JST means test was more closely aligned with the OFP means test. Budget 2017 further increased the earnings disregard to €110 per week so that from early January 2017 these individuals will have more income compared with when they were in receipt of OFP.

Approximately 5,700 (22%) of the FIS recipients suffered an income loss. However, this cohort was eligible for the Back to Work Family Dividend, which reduced their loss.

Budget 2017 builds further on Budget 2016 and the following measures will specifically benefit lone parents:

- A €5 increase in the rate of the One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and the Back to Education Allowance with effect from March 2017;

- A new €500 Cost of Education Allowance per annum for parents, including lone parents, in receipt of Back to Education Allowance;

- Income disregard for parents getting the One-Parent Family Payment and the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment to be increased from €90 a week to €110 with effect from 5 January 2017;

- A Christmas Bonus of 85% to be paid in early December.

- Also the National Minimum Wage has increased to €9.25 an hour which may benefit some lone parents working outside the home.

The increase to the One-Parent Family Payment and the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment earnings disregards will benefit approximately 17,500 lone parents.

On foot of the measures for lone parents contained in Budget 2017, a lone parent on the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment working 15 hours at the national minimum wage will see an increase in their overall income of almost €16 per week (or over €830 per annum) from approximately €334 in 2016 to €350 in 2017. This person will have already gained almost €28 a week as a result of measures in Budget 2016. Since 2015 this lone parent has seen an increase of almost €44 or almost €2,300 per annum between take home pay and State support.

A lone parent on the One-Parent Family Payment working 15 hours at the national minimum wage will see an increase in their overall income of almost €18 per week (or almost €940 per annum) from approximately €348 in 2016 to €366 in 2017.

These increases are as a result of the increase in the National Minimum Wage, the increased disregards on One-Parent Family Payment and the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment and the rate increase of €5 per week.

Initial indicative data from the latest Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) show that there has been a significant increase in the percentage of lone parents in employment in the year to the end of June 2016. The increase of lone parents taking up employment in the 12 month period prior to June 2016 has been four times higher than the equivalent increase in two parent households. This increase relates to all lone parents in the State and reflects the increase in economic and employment growth generally. However, the magnitude of the increase for lone parents (when compared with couples) many of whom would have been affected in July 2015 by the reforms is significant.

One-Parent Family Payment Data

Ceisteanna (311)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for one-parent family allowance refused on all grounds on a monthly basis over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36289/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.

One-Parent Family Payment Claims Disallowed November 2015 to October 2016

Dates	Claims Disallowed
November 2015	72
December 2015	45
January 2016	48
February 2016	64
March 2016	57
April 2016	62
May 2016	62
June 2016	56
July 2016	60
August 2016	71
September 2016	60
October 2016	51

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Ceisteanna (312, 321)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the applications for various social protection payments which are most commonly refused on application and referred to appeal or an oral hearing; the number of cases subsequently rejected or approved on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36290/16]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of oral hearings that have taken place in the past 12 months in respect of the various payments made by his Department to social protection recipients; the number of cases where the original decision was overturned arising from the hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36299/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 321 together.

The following tables provide the details which have been requested by the Deputy in respect of 2015 and to date in 2016.

The schemes with the highest number of appeals to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2015 and to date in 2016 were - disability allowance (6,435 in 2015/4,077 in 2016), carer’s allowance (3,188 in 2015/3,309 in 2016), jobseeker’s allowance - means (2,174 in 2015/1,772 in 2016), jobseeker’s allowance - payments (2,058 in 2015/1,739 in 2016), supplementary welfare allowance (2,125 in 2015/1,760 in 2016), invalidity pension (1,857 in 2015/1,168 in 2016) and domiciliary care allowance (1,258 in 2015/1,032 in 2016).

Details of appeal outcomes for the above schemes are set out in the following tables. Overall, 58.8% of the 25,406 appeals which were finalised in 2015 had a favourable outcome for the appellant, i.e. were either allowed in full or in part, or resolved by way of a revised decision by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person. To date in 2016, 58.7% of the 19,128 appeals finalised have had a favourable outcome for the appellant.

Of the 18,913 appeals which were finalised by Appeals Officers in 2015, 6,886 (36.4%) were determined following an oral hearing. 4,444 (64.5%) of these had a favourable outcome for the appellant. Of the 14,215 appeals finalised by Appeals Officers in 2016 5,362 (37.7%) were determined following an oral hearing. 3,485 (65%) of these had a favourable outcome for the appellant.

There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was wrong.

Where new evidence is provided with an appeal the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person as was the case in some 35 per cent of favourable appeal outcomes in 2015. Where the decision was not revised in the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.

Decisions concerning entitlement to a social welfare payment or insurability of employment often require a high level of judgment and may involve complex legal questions. The Courts have found that decision makers are required to be free and unrestricted in discharging their functions.

Where an appellant requests an oral hearing, the request is generally granted unless the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the appeal can be allowed on a summary basis, or where there is clearly nothing to be gained by granting an oral hearing, for example where the appeal question relates to contribution conditions or means and the underlying PRSI contribution figures or means are not disputed. Social Welfare legislation provides that an Appeal Officer may determine an appeal without an oral hearing where s/he is of the opinion that it can be determined fairly on the basis of the documentary evidence provided. In general, where there is a conflict in the documentary evidence presented, an Appeals Officer will convene an oral hearing in order to explore the evidence and seek to resolve any conflict.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Appeal Receipts 2015 – 2016

-	2015	2016 (to 31/10/2016)
Blind Person’s Pension	22	12
Carers Allowance	3,188	3,309
Carers Benefit	93	76
Child Benefit	552	521
Disability Allowance	6,435	4,077
Illness Benefit	1,204	739
Death Benefit	1	1
Partial Capacity Benefit	42	34
Domiciliary Care Allowance	1,258	1,032
Deserted Wives Benefit	19	6
Deserted Wives Allowance	1	-
Farm Assist	201	167
Bereavement Grant	6	3
Family Income Supplement	447	415
Invalidity Pension	1,857	1 ,168
Liable Relatives	26	17
Maternity Benefit	71	76
One Parent Family Payment	368	272
State Pension (Contributory)	264	291
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	348	320
State Pension (Transition)	3	2
Occupational Injury Benefit	65	49
Disablement Pension	347	272
Occupational Injury-Medical Care	4	4
Incapacity Supplement	12	9
Guardian's Payment (Con)	49	35
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	18	13
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	2,174	1,772
Jobseeker's Allowance	2,058	1,739
BTW Family Dividend	64	40
Jobseeker's Transitional	34	36
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	26	21
Jobseeker's Benefit	735	549
Treatment Benefit	3	5
Carer’s Support Grant *	124	125
Insurability of Employment	156	97
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	2,125	1,760
Survivor's Pension (Con)	40	42
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	25	19
Widows Parent Grant	10	7
All Appeals	24,475	19,132

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Outcome of Disability Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016

		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	6,435	1,443	3,384	85	1,751	77
2016 ( to 31/10/2016 )	4,077	748	2,387	74	1,160	60

Outcome of Carer’s Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016

		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	3,188	579	1,352	155	1,355	50
2016 (to 31/10/2016)	3,309	504	1,083	120	1,036	37

Outcome of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Means) Appeals 2015– 2016

		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	2174	299	284	108	1,336	229
2016 ( to 31/10/2016 )	1,772	261	231	99	1,001	135

Outcome of Jobseeker’s Allowance (Payments) Appeals 2015– 2016

		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	2,058	260	536	116	972	175
2016 ( to 31/10/2016 )	1,739	240	427	80	810	104

Outcome of Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016

		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	2,125	373	634	77	1,069	177
2016 ( to 31/10/2016 )	1,760	268	445	58	775	124

Outcome of Invalidity Pension Appeals 2015– 2016

		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	1,857	511	1,135	17	421	37
2016 ( to 31/10/2016 )	1,168	551	598	8	262	14

Outcome of Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals 2015– 2016

		Favourable Decisions
	Appeal Receipts	Revised Deciding Officers Decisions	Appeals Allowed	Appeals Partly Allowed	Appeals Disallowed	Withdrawn
2015	1,258	313	571	40	226	8
2016 ( to 31/10/2016 )	1,032	324	518	18	230	10

Number and Outcome of Appeals Determined following Oral Hearings 2015

Benefit	Allowed	Partially allowed	Disallowed	No. of Oral Hearings
Blind Person’s Pension	1	0	3	4
Carers Allowance	733	101	516	1,350
Carers Benefit	10	5	18	33
Child Benefit	29	12	37	78
Disability Allowance	1,497	44	550	2,091
Illness Benefit	109	6	88	203
Partial Capacity Benefit	3	-	2	5
Death Benefit	-	-	1	1
Domiciliary Care Allowance	242	7	82	331
Deserted Wives Allowance	1	-	-	1
Deserted Wives Benefit	5	4	2	11
Farm Assist	23	14	30	67
Bereavement Grant	1	-	1	2
Liable Relatives	-	-	1	1
Family Income Supplement	16	3	19	38
Invalidity Pension	451	8	147	606
Maternity Benefit	-	-	6	6
One Parent Family Payment	62	15	65	142
State Pension (Contributory)	18	2	19	39
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	34	17	47	98
State Pension (Transition)	0	1	1	2
Occupational Injury Benefit	8	-	9	17
Disablement Pension	77	10	56	143
Incapacity Supplement	5	-	-	5
Guardian's Payment (Con)	6	3	4	13
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	5	-	-	5
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	172	57	253	482
Jobseeker's Allowance	227	59	208	494
Jobseeker's Transitional	1	-	-	1
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	1	-	-	1
Jobseeker’s Benefit	45	19	37	101
Carer’s Support Grant *	18	2	13	33
Insurability of Employment	17	-	34	51
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	207	24	187	418
Survivor's Pension (Con)	3	0	3	6
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	3	1	2	6
Widows Parent Grant	-	0	1	1
All Appeals	4,030	414	2,442	6,886

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Number and Outcome of Appeals Determined following Oral Hearings 2016 (to 31/10/2016)

Benefit	Allowed	Partially allowed	Disallowed	No. of Oral Hearings
Blind Person’s Pension	3	-	2	5
Carers Allowance	657	70	446	1,173
Carers Benefit	8	2	5	15
Child Benefit	19	10	24	53
Disability Allowance	1,081	46	401	1,528
Illness Benefit	66	3	60	129
Partial Capacity Benefit	5	-	3	8
Domiciliary Care Allowance	226	7	96	329
Deserted Wives Benefit	4	-	2	6
Farm Assist	19	24	21	64
Liable Relatives	-	-	1	1
Family Income Supplement	25	4	15	44
Invalidity Pension	299	4	94	397
Maternity Benefit	7	1	3	11
One Parent Family Payment	38	13	40	91
State Pension (Contributory)	15	5	28	48
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	32	16	44	92
State Pension (Transition)	1	-	1	2
Occupational Injury Benefit	6	-	5	11
Disablement Pension	91	6	55	152
Incapacity Supplement	1	1	3	5
Guardian's Payment (Con)	7	-	5	12
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	8	1	1	10
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	104	47	146	297
Jobseeker's Allowance	187	48	181	416
Jobseeker's Transitional	2	-	5	7
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	1	-	1	2
Jobseeker's Benefit	46	13	36	95
Carer’s Support Grant *	16	1	9	26
Insurability of Employment	14	-	17	31
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	141	17	118	276
Survivor's Pension (Con)	9	5	6	20
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	2	1	2	5
Widows Parent Grant	-	-	1	1
All Appeals	3,140	345	1,877	5,362

* Previously called Respite Care Grant

Youth Employment Initiative

Ceisteanna (313)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the various youth unemployment alleviation measures have resulted in successful full-time job placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

A key part of the Government’s plan for our healthcare system is the most significant reform of our hospital service since the foundation of the State - the establishment of hospital groups operating as single cohesive units with their own governance and management. Hospital Groups enable a better configuration of hospital services with benefits relating to safety, quality, access, cost and sustainable medical staffing and every hospital in the group, large and small, statutory and voluntary, will play a vital role within the Group. Hospitals working together in a Group will be able to support each other, providing a stronger role for smaller hospitals in delivering less complex care, and ensuring that those who require emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in larger hospitals.

The Smaller Hospitals Framework focuses in particular on the future role of smaller hospitals and outlines the wide range of services that can be provided within these smaller hospitals. It also outlines the potential to expand the services delivered in smaller hospitals.

As a Model 2 hospital, Monaghan does not have a 24/7 Emergency Department or critical care unit. However, in line with the Framework, Monaghan Hospital has a Minor Injuries Unit located on site.

I am committed to securing and further developing the role of our smaller hospitals with the expansion of services delivered in these hospitals, especially in services such as day surgery; ambulatory care; medical services and diagnostics.

The Programme for Partnership Government commits to a review of Medical Assessment Units, Urgent Care Centres and Minor Injuries Units, including the Unit at Monaghan Hospital. Work on this review is progressing in 2017.

Community Welfare Services Provision

Ceisteanna (314)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which community welfare services remain readily accessible in all areas throughout the country with particular reference to meeting out-of-hours or emergency needs where necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36292/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

People claiming supports under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme generally only interact with the Department on an occasional basis, for example, when seeking an exceptional needs payment or in claiming additional supports such as rent supplement. The availability of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) during normal office hours is therefore sufficient for general day to day requirements. CWS services are delivered through Intreo Centres and some 180 clinics nationwide.

However, in response to emergency situations such as those caused by severe weather events, local management assesses the response required to ensure that supports are provided to those affected as swiftly as possible. This may include provision of emergency or out of hours services and may be supplemented by facilitating clients with individual appointments and making house calls.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (315)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the cost of rent support has increased over the past 12 months; if adequate emphasis is being placed on the need to meet the housing needs of those in private rented accommodation by way of direct purchase or build of local authority houses in lieu thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36293/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

This is a matter for my colleague, Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Ceisteanna (316)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for carer’s allowance, ophthalmic benefit, dental benefit, invalidity pension and disability allowance received in the past 12 months; the number approved, refused or pending; the way the figures compare with the previous 12-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36294/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following tabular statement.

Carer’s Allowance
Period	Registered	Awarded	Disallowed	Pending
November 2015 to October 2016	21,546	17,951	10,552	3,833
November 2014 to October 2015	18,186	14,592	8,166	5,120
Percentage Variance	18.5%	23.0%	29.2%	-25.1%

Invalidity Pension
Period	Registered	Awarded	Disallowed	Pending
November 2015 to October 2016	9,052	7,282	4,237	2,003
November 2014 to October 2015	9,627	7,730	5,042	1,712
Percentage Variance	-6.0%	-5.8%	-16.0%	17.0%

Disability Allowance
Period	Registered	Awarded	Disallowed	Pending
November 2015 to October 2016	23,535	16,777	11,850	5,671
November 2014 to October 2015	23,532	15,203	15,111	4,633
Percentage Variance	0.0%	10.4%	-21.6%	22.4%

Treatment Benefits (Incl. Ophthalmic and Dental Benefits)
Period	Registered	Awarded	Disallowed	Pending
November 2015 to October 2016	557,521	518,652	19,431	27,490
November 2014 to October 2015	526,531	498,553	22,589	8,052
Percentage Variance	5.9%	4.0%	-14.0%	241.4%*

*Large fluctuations are due to the date payments are made in a particular month

Question No. 317 answered with Question No. 97.