Written Answers Nos. 148-60
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal in respect of a decision to refuse payment of jobseeker's benefit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22597/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has not submitted an appeal in relation to an application made to the Department; they have however recently submitted an application for Farm Assist. As is the normal procedure with all Farm Assist claims, it has been forwarded to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. Once this investigation is completed the Department will be in a position to make a decision on the claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims for various payments suspended and on appeal or otherwise recorded in the past 12 months; the number of appeals that have taken place; the number pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22598/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table provides the details which have been requested by the Deputy in respect of appeals in the past twelve months in so far as they are available.
The table provides a breakdown by scheme area of the number of appeals registered and determined during the past twelve months, i.e. during the period from 1 May 2016 to 30 April 2017, along with a breakdown by scheme of the number of appeals which were outstanding at 30 April 2017.
I understand from the Chief Appeals Officer that it is not possible to provide a breakdown between the number of appeals registered with her office which relate to new claims which were disallowed as opposed to the number of appeals relating to existing claims which were in payment and which were subsequently disallowed as this information is not captured or maintained on the appeals computer system.
I am also advised that it is not possible to provide details of the number of people whose claims were in payment and were then disallowed and who did not appeal. However, I can advise the Deputy that my Department processes around 2 million new claims each year. About 85% of these are successful, i.e. the customer receives the relevant payment. By comparison, 22,461 appeals were made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office last year and 23,220 appeals were finalised.
Table: Appeals Registered and Finalised May 2016 – April 2017 and Appeals outstanding at 30 April, 2017.
|
Scheme |
Appeals Registered |
Appeals Finalised |
Appeals Outstanding |
|
Blind Pension |
13 |
17 |
4 |
|
Back to work Family Benefit |
45 |
51 |
18 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
3,979 |
3,720 |
1366 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
108 |
100 |
30 |
|
Child Benefit |
516 |
545 |
209 |
|
Disability Allowance |
4,958 |
4,482 |
1952 |
|
Illness Benefit |
528 |
776 |
215 |
|
Death Benefit |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
1,102 |
1,228 |
454 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
9 |
7 |
4 |
|
Farm Assist |
157 |
186 |
90 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
1 |
3 |
0 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
535 |
418 |
285 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,271 |
1,442 |
375 |
|
Jobseeker’s Transition |
47 |
43 |
19 |
|
Liable Relatives |
19 |
18 |
3 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
86 |
90 |
28 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
392 |
303 |
244 |
|
State Pension – Non contributory |
395 |
392 |
177 |
|
Injury Benefit |
56 |
57 |
24 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
281 |
309 |
125 |
|
Medical Care |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) |
40 |
38 |
15 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
286 |
346 |
138 |
|
Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) |
13 |
18 |
4 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
36 |
35 |
24 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance (Means) |
1,830 |
2,047 |
771 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
28 |
25 |
15 |
|
Carer’s Support Grant |
161 |
149 |
51 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
164 |
172 |
136 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1,639 |
1,873 |
605 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
3 |
6 |
0 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
1,870 |
1,954 |
768 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
570 |
650 |
225 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
6 |
17 |
4 |
|
Widows, Widowers Pension (Contributory) |
43 |
47 |
20 |
|
Widows, Widowers Pension (Non-Contributory) |
25 |
23 |
11 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
5 |
10 |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
21,227 |
21,606 |
8,419 |
150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent allowance, which was discontinued on foot of discontinuation of jobseeker's allowance, will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied), the basis on which cessation is vehemently denied; if steps will be taken to restore payments while the case is on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with a review of entitlement to rent supplement, the person concerned was requested on 13/2/17 to provide documentation to the Department confirming her combined household income including verification of income for all residents in her rental property. This documentation is still outstanding. A further request for the relevant documentation was issued to the person concerned on 9/5/17.
On receipt of the requested documentation, the ongoing rate of rent supplement will be reviewed and a decision will issue accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support in line with rent increase will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in whose case rent was not paid since 17 February 2017 and who is now likely to become homeless as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22600/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been requested to provide the Department with an up-to-date lease agreement confirming her monthly rent payable. On receipt of this documentation, her rent supplement entitlement can be re-assessed accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) whose current payments of carer's allowance involve a deduction of €30 weekly in respect of a previous alleged overpayment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22601/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has initiated a review of the weekly deduction in place in respect of this person's overpayment and correspondence has issued to the person concerned.
The Department has suspended the weekly deduction for 21 days, pending receipt of the requested information.
On receipt of this information, the department will determine the level of deduction to be applied in this case.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full rate of payment applicable in respect of two adults plus four children, all dependants, in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22605/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady on 13 May 2016. On 20 March 2017 both the passport of the person concerned and her partner's passport were returned to her in person by prior arrangement at her address.
On 28 April 2017 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
This lady is currently in receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance while awaiting a decision on her DA application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in pursuance of a bilateral arrangement with the UK, he will liaise with the authorities in the UK in the case of a person (details supplied) with particular reference to the person's entitlements arising from contributions in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22607/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is currently in receipt of a widow’s contributory pension at €198.50 per week, the maximum rate payable to a person under 66 years of age. She is also in receipt of a fuel allowance payment of €22.50 per week for the fuel season.
The appropriate form will be forwarded to the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK immediately requesting that any entitlement to a UK Pension be assessed for the person concerned. The Department of Work and Pensions will correspond directly with the person concerned regarding their possible entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can apply for adult dependant allowance in respect of the person's spouse. [22614/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for an increase in respect of an adult dependant with effect from 8/5/17. This increase has been awarded from the date of application. Payment will be made on 18/5/17 and will include any arrears due.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current entitlement and payment of jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied). [22616/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is currently entitled to and in receipt of the maximum personal rate of jobseeker’s allowance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
157. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made by the Government to protect and assist the LGBT community in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether steps must be taken at international level to protect the LGBT community in Chechnya and to assist those who are being forced to flee the country due to sexual orientation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the matter of the treatment of LGBT persons in Chechnya at a European level with a view to exerting diplomatic and other pressure on the Chechen Government to immediately cease its persecution of LGBT persons there. [22413/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to provide a safe path for LGBT persons in Chechnya to flee their country. [22414/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 160, inclusive, together.
I am aware of alarming reports by international human rights organisations and in the media of a campaign of abduction, abuse and ill-treatment of men in the Chechen Republic on the basis of their sexual orientation. If confirmed, these actions would amount to serious violations of fundamental human rights.
Last week, senior Departmental officials met the Russian Ambassador at my request to convey my grave concerns, and those of the Irish public, at these reports. During the meeting, my officials urged the Russian authorities to fully investigate these allegations, to ensure that any such persecution is ended immediately, to provide all affected persons with the assistance they require, and to ensure the safety of activists and journalists investigating the reports of abuse in Chechnya.
In a statement delivered to the Seanad on my behalf by Minister Helen McEntee on 12 April, I joined in the widespread calls for the Russian Government to urgently undertake a full and thorough investigation into these reports and to ensure that any individuals found to have committed crimes be brought to justice. I also emphasised Russia’s international obligations to protect all persons who may be at risk of persecution. This call was reiterated by the Irish Ambassador to the Council of Europe at a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg on 19 April.
The European Union is also pressing the Russian authorities to ensure that the allegations are fully investigated and that those fleeing persecution are given full protection. The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini raised the matter during a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on 24 April. HR Mogherini highlighted the serious concerns of the European Union and its Member States over the allegations and urged the Russian government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the rights of the gay community in Chechnya are respected, in line with Russia’s international human rights commitments.
