Written Answers Nos. 145-169
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects job opportunities to remain constant in the fishing and fish processing sector incorporating value added products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20306/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, Bord Iascaigh Mhara reported that Irish Seafood GDP grew by 3.4% to an estimated €1.25 billion. BIM reported total seafood sector employment of 14,359 for 2018. While the value of our seafood exports declined 4% in 2018, the overall trend over the past decade has been one of strong growth.
There are a number of opportunities and threats to our seafood sector in the coming years. The potential impacts of Brexit remain a concern and my Department and its agencies, and indeed other State bodies such as Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, have been working closely with stakeholders in planning for all scenarios. There are also very many reasons to be positive about the future of the sector. Demand on international markets is such that there are valuable business opportunities for quality Irish seafood. My Department and its agencies are pursuing a number of strategies to assist our seafood enterprises in realising those opportunities, including Food Wise 2025, the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development and the recently published Strategy for the Inshore Fisheries Sector.
These strategies are being supported through my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme, which is the vehicle for financial supports to our seafood sector for the period 2014 to 2020. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of 18 schemes. The Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Some €41 million in financial supports were invested in the sector in 2018, leveraging significant private investment by seafood processors in value-adding and investments in increased productivity by aquaculture enterprises. The catching sector also continues to invest strongly in equipment on-board to add value to catch, improve quality, enhance safety and hygiene and embrace energy efficiency.
I look forward to seeing our seafood sector continue to grow and provide essential employment growth in peripheral coastal communities in the year ahead.
147. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the system of collection of the foal levy and allocation of the funding raised from it lacks transparency; and the steps he will take to address same. [20308/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The current Foal Levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland. The Foal Levy is currently calculated with reference to SI 735 of 2011, which is the governing legislation.
HRI's Foal Levy Committee reviews the rates, bands and structures of the levy on an annual basis and has also considered potential alternative methodologies to calculate the levy due. They have concluded that the current banded/tiered approach represents the most equitable and appropriate way of securing the vital funds needed for the breeding sector. I understand that the majority of foals registered fall into the two lower bands of €35 and €50, and that there is a very high compliance rate of circa 98.3%.
The Foal Levy funding paid by breeders is reserved for the benefit of the breeding sector. Recommendations on the annual funding allocations are considered by an advisory committee made up of nominees from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the Irish Farmers Association and Horse Racing Ireland. Recommendations are then considered by the HRI Board as part of their annual budget review and allocations are recorded within HRI’s annual financial statements.
As such, I have no plans to alter the current arrangements for the levy.
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which fish restocking with traditional game fish continues to take place in lakes and rivers nationally; the degree to which trout and salmon has featured in this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20303/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. I am advised by IFI that restocking is a complex matter that is carefully considered in the context of the protection of existing wild stocks. In relation to potential restocking of salmon, there are significant genetic and ecological concerns when the progeny of wild salmon reared in a hatchery environment are released back into the wild as each of Ireland’s more than 140 salmon rivers has its own genetically unique stock of salmon. For this reason each salmon stock is managed individually based on the conservation limit established for each river. Ireland’s salmon management measures are considered best in class internationally
Re-stocking with hatchery reared fish can be detrimental to the genetic integrity of individual stocks and negatively impact their long term sustainability. IFI follows the guidelines of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) with regard to applying the precautionary approach to any proposed re-stocking of hatchery reared Atlantic salmon into the wild.
Internationally re-stocking in not considered an appropriate solution in management measures for wild Atlantic salmon. IFI’s advice for enhancement of salmon populations nationally is to continue with single stock salmon management to achieve individual river spawning targets while also supporting habitat enhancement and removal of artificial barriers to migration rather than artificial re-stock enhancements which have potentially detrimental genetic impacts.
National policy is that management measurements for wild brown trout should be generally directed towards conservation, with return of captured fish, and towards habitat-management/enhancement measures designed to increase carrying capacity and restore depleted wild brown trout stocks.
IFI have confirmed that a series of genetic studies on Irish brown trout populations has revealed that there is enormous genetic diversity within and among brown trout populations. Research has shown that stocking with hatchery reared brown trout makes no significant contribution to those fisheries where they have been introduced. In addition, it has been shown that restocking of non-native salmonids can be detrimental to the freshwater pearl mussel, a protected species included in Annex II and V of the EU Habitats Directive.
“IFI has supplied hatchery reared fish to angling clubs around the country. The main species stocked are brown trout and, in respect of put and take fisheries, rainbow trout. Re-stocking requests are considered in the context of EU legislation, biodiversity considerations and best scientific advice.”
For the Deputy’s information I have attached a copy of IFI’s fish stocking guidance document.
149. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil an ndearna sé plé le húdaráis RTÉ maidir le teip an stáisiúin a gcuid dualgas reachtúil i leith craolachán i nGaeilge a chomhlíonadh; cad iad na torthaí a bhí aontaithe; cad é an plean gníomhaíochta a aontaíodh agus cad é an amlíne chun é a chur i bhfeidhm; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [20193/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDe réir Alt 98 den Acht Craolacháin 2009, is craoltóir neamhspleách náisiúnta seirbhíse poiblí é RTÉ agus, ar an ábhar sin, níl aon ról agamsa mar Aire ina chuid oibríochtaí ó lá go lá. Foilsíonn RTÉ Ráitis Bhliantúla ar Ghealltanais Feidhmíochta le spriocanna a bhaineann le réimse seirbhísí, an Ghaeilge san áireamh. Déanann Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann, mar rialtóir neamhspleách, athbhreithniú ar a fheidhmíocht i gcomhthéacs na spriocanna sin gach bliain.
150. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the EU web accessibility directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20209/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Directive 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies requires public bodies to ensure their websites and applications are accessible to users and in particular to persons with disabilities by making them perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Public body websites and applications that comply with the European harmonised standard EN 301 549 will be presumed to be in compliance with the accessibility standards of the Directive. The Directive requires public bodies to provide a detailed, comprehensive and clear accessibility statement on their compliance with the Directive. This statement must also have a feedback mechanism allowing any person to notify the public body of any failure of its website or mobile application with the accessibility requirements set out in the Directive.
My Department is currently finalising transposition of the Directive.
151. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he will take to ensure that information is provided on the health impact of 5G roll out here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20271/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied there are no health implications from the roll out of 5G here (details supplied); his plans to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20272/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.
The roll-out of 5G in Ireland is a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis. The regulation of these service providers, to the extent permitted by law, is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg in accordance with the Communications Regulation Act 2002. This role includes the monitoring of compliance by authorised operators with terms and conditions, including with respect to non-ionising radiation levels. ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions.
As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have policy responsibility for matters pertaining to public exposure to non-iodising radiation. Irish policy in this area is informed by a substantial volume of internationally recognised scientific research and evidence. This includes the guidelines set down by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
These guidelines provide scientifically based exposure limits that are applicable to both public and occupational exposure from electromagnetic fields (EMF), including 5G. ICNIRP guidelines apply up to a frequency of 300 gigahertz (GHz), well above the maximum frequencies being considered for 5G. ICNIRP guidelines are based on evidence gathered from all peer reviewed scientific literature and not on the conclusions of any single scientific paper, event, or other source.
In 2015, the Irish Government commissioned a report by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands (RIVM). This was published in 2016 and is entitled “Electromagnetic Fields in the Irish Context”. It examined and synthesised existing peer-reviewed research into clear findings, with particular focus on the potential health effects of electric and magnetic fields arising from high voltage power lines, and electromagnetic fields from base stations for mobile communication. This report reaffirms the overall conclusion of an earlier 2007 report, “Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields” , that there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields and adverse health effects.
In this regard, I have recently assigned a new statutory function to the Environmental Protection Agency to provide general information to the public on matters pertaining to public exposure to non-ionising radiation, to monitor international scientific developments and provide independent advice to my Department in this area.
153. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Bus Éireann is charging more for a shorter bus journey (details supplied). [20184/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
154. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when an announcement will issue regarding organisations that were successful in the 2018 round of sports capital funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20210/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October last. By that deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
Work is now underway in assessing the new 2018 applications and allocations in respect of approx. 635 equipment only applications are expected to be announced shortly. For the first time, applicants who have submitted incorrect documentation under this round are being given the opportunity to correct their application during the assessment period. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, in view of the opportunity to correct documentation, the record number of applications received and the detailed information contained in each application, it is likely to take a number of months to have all applications assessed. Accordingly, I expect that it may be the third quarter of this year before the full set of allocations under this current round of the programme are announced.
155. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided to projects (details supplied) in 2018; the estimated amount to be paid in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20202/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, my Department allocated €16.5m to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for the Family Resource Centre Programme. This funding increased to €18m in 2019.
Tusla’s Family Resource Centre Programme provides the financial support which typically covers the employment of two to three members of staff and some overhead costs for each FRC. 120 Family Resource Centres (FRCs), 2 support networks and the Family Resource Centre National Forum (FRCNF) were supported under the Family Resource Centre Programme, in 2018.
Other Tusla services provided funding of €2,728,871 to FRCs to support their work.
The funding provided by Tusla to each of the FRCs in 2018 will be sent to the Deputy directly.
Tusla is engaging directly with Family Resource Centres, support networks and the FRCNF regarding their funding levels for 2019. I recently announced how the additional €1.5m for 2019 is to be used to support the sustainability of existing Family Resource Centres (FRCs) and to enable a number of FRCs to engage additional family support workers.
A number of FRCs also receive funding from other sources within my Department.
Many Family Resource Centres provide Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) to children. My Department, through a Funding Agreement, provides a range of supports through capitation payments and other programmes. The complete list of FRCs which received this funding in 2018 is currently being compiled by my officials, and a full list will be provided to the Deputy directly. Funding in 2019 will be based on the level of ELC/SAC provision in each centre.
The Trim Family Resource Centre in County Meath received funding of €34,692.90 under the 2018 Quality and Capacity Building Initiative (QCBI) Innovation Fund, which is administered by Tusla, on behalf of my Department. This funding supported a project, which enabled young people to re-engage with education and/or training and employment, to develop life skills that foster good relations, build confidence and resilience. Funding has not been provided for this project under the QCBI in 2019.
In 2018, the Youth Affairs Unit in my Department provided funding of €89,203 to the Northside Family Resource Centre in Ballynanty, Limerick, for the "Follow Your Dream" youth project. The same level of funding will be provided to the Northside FRC for this project in 2019.
My Department also provided funding under the Capacity Building Grant for the National LGBTI+ Strategy to three Family Resource Centres in 2018. Ballymun Child and Family Resource Centre in Dublin received €1,400, Greystones Family Resource Centre in Co. Wicklow received €2,500, and Northside Family Resource Centre in Ballynanty, Limerick, received €3,770.40 under this funding stream. Funding amounts for 2019 have not yet been determined.
I should inform that Deputy that the funding from my Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to FRCs nationally. FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments and Agencies. I am informed by Tusla that, in 2018, FRCs received in excess of €40m when all funding sources were considered.
I recognise and value the very positive impact of the work of the Family Resource Centres in supporting families and local communities. The Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community. This universal accessibility allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions, and timely referrals to appropriate services for more intensive and targeted work as required.
156. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to ensure the continuation of a crèche (details supplied) that parents and staff have been informed is due to cease operation in August; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20274/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for your question in relation to the closure of this crèche due to take place in August.
While my Department funds a wide range of initiatives to support the quality, affordability and accessibility of early learning and care services, it does not operate or direct Early Learning and Care services.
The service referred to by the Deputy is an independent community-based organisation, and given this context, there are limits to the actions my department can take in situations like this one, where the board of management of a crèche have chosen to close.
Although the Department cannot directly intervene in the decisions of individual organisations, a range of supports are available through local City/County Childcare Committees funded by the DCYA and through Pobal’s Case Management service. These supports are designed to ensure that services are supported to remain open wherever possible. Pobal has a dedicated team which works with services facing difficulties. This team offers support with activities such as business planning and accounting to assist services manage any challenges they may face. The team can, in certain circumstances , also offer direct financial support.
I strongly recommend any service which finds itself in difficulty to get in contact with their local CCC and Pobal immediately, and I would encourage them to fully explore the support options available to them before making any final decision. In the case of the service referred to by the Deputy, Dublin CCC has offered support to them.
With regard to the parents and children affected by the closure of this particular service, Dublin CCC will provide support to parents with sourcing alternative early learning and care and school age childcare arrangements.
157. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an evidence-based assessment will be carried out on the transposition of IORP II directive on the potential additional costs that may arise for small pension schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20181/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe transposition of the IORP II Directive will result in significant improvements to the regulation and governance of funded occupational pension schemes in Ireland. Officials in my Department, supported by the Pensions Authority, have conducted detailed analysis on the implementation of the Directive. The drafting of regulations is at an advanced stage and my Department is working towards transposing the Directive as early as possible, subject to a case before the Courts.
As the Deputy may be aware, an application has been granted for a judicial review for a set of reliefs and a stay in relation to the transposition into Irish law of the IORP II Directive. As such, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on matters that are currently before the Courts.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide access for retired public servants to the industrial relations machinery of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20200/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection I do not have responsibility for this matter. Access to the industrial relations machinery of the State is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. In addition, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has responsibility for public service pay and pensions.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
159. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20201/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant or the applicant and their spouse, partner or cohabitant must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 23 January 2019.
Their application was disallowed on 20 February 2019 as they did not satisfy the above employment condition at the time of application.
The person concerned requested a review of the decision of 20 February 2019. Following a review of their application based on updated employment related information, it has been established that they now satisfy the above condition from a later date and have been awarded WFP with effect from 07 March 2019 to 04 March 2020.
The first weekly payment and all arrears owing will issue to their nominated bank account on 08 May 2019.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 03 May 2019 and of the right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [20208/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
The person concerned has been in receipt of a half-rate CA since 04 October 2012 as her husband has been claiming an increase for a qualified adult on his farm assist payment in respect of her. On 24 January 2019 she requested a re-assessment of her CA entitlement as her husband has returned to work and ceased to claim farm assist.
As his means from employment may affect that entitlement, a full means re-assessment was carried out.
The outcome of the re-assessment is that the person concerned has been awarded full rate CA with effect from 11 April 2019.
The person concerned was notified on 2 April 2019 of this outcome, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
161. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20212/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 12 March 2019.
Entitlement to DA is based on satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. A decision will be made on the application as soon as possible and the person 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.
162. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if arrears of a disability allowance payment will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20221/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 5 December 2018.
A letter issued to this lady on 3 May 2019, informing her arrears of payment due for the period 5 December 2018 to 26 March 2019, would be paid by her chosen payment method on 8 May 2019.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
163. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20225/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 19 March 2019. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Anyone experiencing financial difficulties while awaiting a decision of any social welfare payment can contact their local Intreo Centre and enquire as to their entitlement to a payment under the Department's Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
164. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20235/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned does not satisfy the PRSI qualifying conditions for payment of Illness Benefit.
One of the qualifying conditions for Illness Benefit is that a person must have 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions at class A, E, H or P.
The person concerned is currently paying class D contributions, which is not a qualifying class of contribution for Illness Benefit and therefore she does not satisfy this contribution condition.
The person concerned did receive credited contributions for the duration of her claim from the 28th April 2018 to the 10th September 2019. A decision letter has issued to the person concerned explaining the position.
The person concerned previously qualified for Occupational Injury Benefit payment in 2016 as class D contributions are reckonable contributions for this scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
165. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's benefit claim by a person (details supplied). [20236/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.
An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 13 March 2019. The application 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.
166. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a payment due to a person (details supplied) will be made. [20247/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA child benefit supplement payment has been awarded to the person concerned under EU Regulation 883/2004 and payment has been issued to her nominated bank account for lodgement on Tuesday 7th May.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
167. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied). [20251/19]
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 lady concerned on 29 August 2018. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 05 December 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal.
The lady concerned subsequently appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) and submitted further medical evidence in support of her appeal. Following a review by a deciding officer of this medical evidence in conjunction with all information available to date, it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision. A submission has been prepared by the department and forwarded to the SWAO for determination.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
168. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied). [20252/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 07 March 2019. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 23 May 2019. Any arrears due from 07 March 2019 to 22 May 2019 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue as soon as possible. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on 07 May 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20258/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 29th January 2019. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 25th March 2019 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
