Written Answers Nos. 1024-1047
1024. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a payment will issue for an illness benefit claim in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44747/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Illness Benefit payment issue for the person concerned has now been resolved and all arrears owing to her have been issued.
She is currently certified to 6th November 2018. If she remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1025. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she, her departmental officials or her ministerial predecessors have met companies and an organisation (details supplied) or representatives of same in the past three years to date; if so, if a schedule of those meetings and the associated minutes will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44775/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection has not met the named company in the past three years.
1026. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the payment for a child dependent on the illness benefit claim by a person (details supplied) will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44786/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe increase for qualified child portion of this person's claim has now been processed. The claim has been updated accordingly and any arrears owing have been paid.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1027. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive an illness benefit payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44787/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe IB claim for the person concerned is now paid up to date and certified to 6th November 2018.
If she remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be forwarded to the Department as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1028. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason money is being deducted on a weekly basis from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44816/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are investigating the circumstances of the case referred to by the Deputy and a detailed response will issue to him by the end of the week.
1029. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue for an application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44817/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is now paid up to date. She is certified to 20th November 2018.
If she remains ill and unfit for work, medical certificates should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible to avoid any delays to future payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1030. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for disability allowance approved and refused in each of the past eight years to date; the number of applications originally refused and subsequently appealed resulting in the overturning of an original decision in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44825/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of disability allowance (DA) applications received, allowed and disallowed or withdrawn from 2011 to date in 2018 is set out in the following table.
DA Scheme
|
Year |
DA Received |
*DA Award |
DA Disallowed |
DA Withdrawn |
|
2011 |
24,264 |
9,246* |
14,116 |
783 |
|
2012 |
25,887 |
10,400* |
14,519 |
1,240 |
|
2013 |
20,538 |
12,497* |
14,691 |
1,428 |
|
2014 |
21,071 |
13,876* |
12,621 |
1,111 |
|
2015 |
22,538 |
15,814* |
14,800 |
978 |
|
2016 |
23,804 |
16,669* |
12,027 |
947 |
|
2017 |
23,657 |
17,469* |
12,022 |
1,153 |
|
2018 |
17,629 |
13,104* |
9,791 |
873 |
(*)Please note that the statistics in relation to awarded cases include cases in the disallowed category which were subsequently awarded following a review or a successful appeal.
The following tables show the number of DA appeals received and allowed or partially allowed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) from 2011 to date in 2018.
Outcome of DA appeals received and allowed by SWAO
|
Year |
**DA appeals received |
DA appeals allowed by SWAO |
DA appeals partially allowed by SWAO |
|
2011 |
5,472** |
1,699 |
131 |
|
2012 |
6,223** |
2,114 |
95 |
|
2013 |
6,836** |
3,882 |
84 |
|
2014 |
5,554** |
3,860 |
100 |
|
2015 |
6,435** |
3,384 |
85 |
|
2016 |
4,912** |
2,830 |
88 |
|
2017 |
4,959** |
2,975 |
70 |
|
2018 |
4,016** |
2,047 |
76 |
(**)Please note that the statistics in relation to appeals received include both received and re-opened appeal cases less cancelled appeals.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1031. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44827/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is paid to date. She is certified to 14th November 2018.
If she remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be sent to the Department as soon as possible to ensure further payments can issue.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1032. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason those in receipt of the working family payment are not eligible for the Christmas bonus; if she has considered extending the bonus to those in receipt of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44836/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Working Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependants and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. According to Eurostat Data, the parental in-work poverty rate in Ireland is less than half the EU average and this is in large part due to in-work supports such as the WFP and the Back to Work Family Dividend.
An integral part of the WFP scheme is that once the level of payment is determined, it continues to be payable at that rate for a period of 52 weeks, provided that the person remains in full-time employment. The rate of payment will not change if there is an increase or decrease in the recipient’s earnings. A key advantage of this approach, which is unique to the WFP scheme, is that claimants can be certain that they will receive a guaranteed level of income support throughout the period. The average weekly payment across all families is currently in the region of €135 per week.
There are currently over 54,000 families with almost 122,000 children in receipt of WFP. The estimated spend on WFP for 2018 is approximately €431 million, following the increase in the thresholds provided for in Budget 2018.
The focus of the Christmas Bonus has always been on people who rely on the social welfare system for long-term financial support. Consequently, it is paid to people who are in receipt of a wide range of long-term social welfare payments. People in receipt of short-term payments do not qualify for the Christmas bonus. The bonus is paid as a percentage of an individual’s weekly entitlement.
Any changes to the qualifying criteria for the Christmas Bonus would have to be considered in a Budgetary context.
1033. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not been granted farm assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44839/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for farm assist by the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that he was not engaged in farming as defined by social welfare legislation.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 5th September 2018 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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.
1034. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44845/18]
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 gentleman concerned on 06 February 2018. His claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 06 July 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and following a review of all the information available to the Department it was decided that there was no change to the original decision. He was notified on 02 November 2018 of the outcome of the review.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1035. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the new paid parental leave entitlement announced in budget 2019 will provide two weeks of paid leave to both parents; and if not, if the entitlement will be to two weeks paid parental leave to be shared between the parents. [44849/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1036. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if parents of all children that are under one year of age at the point of the inception of the new paid parental leave entitlement will be eligible or if the entitlement will be limited to parents of those children born after the inception of the scheme. [44850/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1035 and 1036 together.
Budget 2019 announced the introduction of a new social insurance based paid parental benefit scheme for employees and the self-employed which will provide two weeks paid leave to both parents. The new payment will support parents during the first year of a child's life and allows for more flexibility in managing a work life balance. The parental benefit scheme will commence in late 2019 and the specific details of the scheme are being examined as part of the legislative drafting process that will be undertaken by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality, which has overall responsibility for parental leave policy.
The two weeks parental benefit available to both parents will not be shared and cannot be transferred between parents. This recognises that the provision of paid parental leave will be more effective and appropriate in terms of encouraging both fathers and mothers to take time off work to take care of their children.
I trust this clarifies the matter at this time.
1037. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the location of the submissions made to the consultations undertaken by her Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1038. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the consultations undertaken by her Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44876/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1037 and 1038 together.
Given the nature of the work of my Department, there are a range of consultative fora in place through which the Department engages with key stakeholders – including, for example, the annual pre-Budget Forum, a Disability Consultative forum and customer representative groups. The consultations listed below therefore relate to those where the Department has formally invited submissions from interested individuals and groups concerning a specific topic.
Details of the public consultations conducted by my Department for the period in question are set out in tabular form.
|
YEAR |
Description of Public Consultation |
Location where the results of the Public Consultations can be accessed |
|
2008 |
Public consultation on Green Paper on Pensions |
https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Green-Paper-Consultation-responses.aspx |
|
2011 |
Consultation on the Department of Social Protection’s Statement of Strategy 2011 - 2014. |
Electronic copies held on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Intranet site - STÓR. |
|
2011 |
Proposed approach to Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Provision - Submissions requested on proposed policy options for DB pensions. |
Electronic copies held in the Department’s Pensions Policy section. |
|
2012 |
Consultation seminar on the feasibility and implications of introducing a scheme of statutory sick-pay in Ireland. |
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Report-of-the-Consultation-Seminar---The-Feasibility-and-Imp.aspx |
|
2012 |
National Poverty Target Review. |
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Review-of-the-National-Poverty-Target.aspx |
|
2012 |
Pension Charges Consultation - Submissions requested on whether pension charges are reasonable and transparent |
Electronic copies held in the Department’s Pension Policy section. |
|
2012 |
Domiciliary Care Allowance – Members of the Public were invited to make submissions on changes/improvements to the administration of the Domiciliary Care Allowance scheme. |
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Domiciliary-Care-Allowance-Review.aspx |
|
2013 |
Department of Social Protection - Irish Language Scheme 2015 – 2018. |
Electronic copies held on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Intranet site - STÓR. |
|
2014 |
Consultation on Department of Social Protection’s Statement of Strategy 2015 - 2017. |
Electronic copies held on Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Intranet site - STÓR. |
|
2014 |
Consultation on the implications of the IORP II directive concerning the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision. |
Electronic copies held in the Department’s Pensions Policy section. |
|
2016 |
Consultation on Department of Social Protection’s Statement of Strategy 2016-2019. |
Electronic copies held on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Intranet site - STÓR. |
|
2016 |
Use of Intermediary-type Structures and Self-employment Arrangements - implications for PRSI and Revenue (Consultation carried out in conjunction with the Department of Finance). |
http://www.welfare.ie/en/pressoffice/Pages/pr310118.aspx |
|
2017 |
Consultation on Department of Social Protection’s Statement of Strategy 2017-2020. |
Electronic copies held on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Intranet site - STÓR. |
|
2017 |
Submissions invited and received in relation to the Consultation on Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities in 2016. |
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Consultation-2017.aspxhttps://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Make-Work-Pay-Report-2017.aspx |
|
2018 - to date |
Department of Social Protection, Irish Language Scheme 2018-2021. |
Electronic copies held on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Intranet site - STÓR. |
|
2018 |
Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System “Strawman” Consultation. |
Results received are currently being collated. |
|
2018 (on-going) |
Total Contributions Approach (TCA) Consultation 2018. |
Results received are currently being collated. |
|
2018 |
Call for submissions under the review of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 (statutory review provided for in Section 7 of the Act). |
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Review-of-the-Gender-Recognition-Act-2015.aspx |
|
2018 |
Public consultation on the new Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2018 - 2021. |
Responses from the consultation have been analysed and will be referred to within the new plan when it is published. |
|
2018 |
Following from the publication of the Make Work Pay Report, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection undertook a national consultation in relation to Recommendations 9 and 10 of the Report (early engagement and Disability Allowance reconfiguration). |
https://www.welfare.ie/en/pressoffice/Pages/pr070318.aspxResults of the consultation have been compiled and the date of publication is under consideration. |
1039. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for domiciliary care allowance, DCA, will be backdated to the date of the original application by a person (details supplied). [44892/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) claim has been finalised in this case. The person concerned was notified on the 17th October 2018 that, following a review of the Appeals Officer's decision, DCA was awarded for the period from the 1st July 2016 up to 31st December 2017, when the child reached 16 years of age. Arrears due for the period 1st July 2016 to 1st June 2017 will issue on the 20th November 2018 to the nominated post office. Arrears in respect of the period from 1st July 2017 to 31st December 2017 were already issued on the 18th September 2018.
Child Benefit may be extended in respect of children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education, or on medical grounds, if, by reason of physical or intellectual disability, they are incapable of self-support and likely to remain incapable for a prolonged period. The advice of the Department’s Chief Medical Advisor (CMA) is sought in certain cases to decide if the child’s medical condition causes them to fit within this definition.
The person concerned submitted a claim for extended Child Benefit for the named child on the 2nd of August, and the claim was referred to the CMA. Further medical evidence was requested by the CMA on the 14th August, which following communication with the person concerned was forwarded to the CMA for consideration on the 24th October. Once an opinion is received from the CMA, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified accordingly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1040. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal against a decision to refuse a disability allowance or an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44894/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me it has not received an appeal from the person concerned in respect of disability allowance. An invalidity pension 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 Employment Affairs and 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.
1041. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a payment will issue in respect of an illness benefit claim by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is certified and paid up to 8th November 2018.
If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, he should submit a further medical certificate to the Department as soon as possible to enable further payments to be made.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1042. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a payment will issue for an illness benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe payment issue for the person concerned is now resolved and she is paid to date. She is currently certified to 6th November 2018.
If she remains ill and unfit for work, she should forward a further medical certificate to the Department as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1043. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44897/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 23 August 2017. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was disallowed on medical grounds as it was not found that this lady was substantially restricted in taking up employment. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 23 October 2017.
They requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional medical evidence for consideration on 03 April 2018. On review the original decision was upheld and this lady was notified in writing of this decision on 05 July 2018.
To date no request for an appeal has been received from the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1044. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the source of income which has been included in the assessment of a working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an income-tested weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. WFP is awarded and paid for 52 weeks and a person must re-apply at the end of a 52 week award period to have their payment renewed.
All household income is assessable for WFP and must be disclosed by an applicant. Household income that is assessable for WFP includes an applicant's and their spouse's or partner's average net weekly assessable earnings from employment plus any other income such as other social welfare payments , farm income, income from self employment, income from rented property , etc.
The applicant's spouse has income from farming.
According to a report from the Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) dated 14th September 2018 the net yearly income from farming is €16,844.93 per annum (€323.94 per week). This sum was assessed in 2014 based on evidence provided by the applicant.
The applicant has not to date provided up to date evidence to the SWI so the 2014 income assessment of €16,844.93 was used to calculate their current entitlement.
The person concerned has appealed this decision and a submission is being prepared by the deciding officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1045. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44899/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from the person concerned on 11 October 2018. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and they 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.
1046. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an illness benefit arrears payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness Benefit (IB) arrears for the person concerned have been paid. The claim is now closed.
If the person remains ill and unfit for work, they should submit a further IB application and medical certs to the Department as soon as possible to enable future payments to be made.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1047. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 27th September 2018 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and 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.
