Written Answers Nos. 771-797
771. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of self-employed persons who have availed of invalidity pension since its extension to the self-employed by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29346/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe extension of Invalidity Pension (IP) to self-employed contributors from the 1st December 2017 has, for the first time, given the self-employed access to a social insurance based income support if they become permanently incapable of work as a result of an illness or disability, without having to go through a means test. This represented a real improvement in the level of social insurance cover available to the self-employed even though the level of contribution was not increased. When deciding to extend access to this benefit to the self-employed, the Government wanted to ensure that it was on a similar basis to that of those in employment.
A separate IP scheme for the self-employed was not set up; rather the qualifying conditions specified in legislation for the existing scheme, were amended to include self-employed PRSI contributions in the “reckonable” category for the purpose of IP.
To date, 867 customers whose social insurance record included self-employed ("Class S") PRSI contributions have been awarded IP. Of this figure, 165 customers have either returned to employment or transferred to other schemes leaving 702 customers that are currently in payment and the following table gives a breakdown by county.
|
COUNTY |
Total |
|
CARLOW |
14 |
|
CAVAN |
12 |
|
CLARE |
29 |
|
CORK |
96 |
|
DONEGAL |
28 |
|
DUBLIN |
112 |
|
GALWAY |
42 |
|
KERRY |
28 |
|
KILDARE |
32 |
|
KILKENNY |
23 |
|
LAOIS |
8 |
|
LEITRIM |
8 |
|
LIMERICK |
36 |
|
LONGFORD |
12 |
|
LOUTH |
17 |
|
MAYO |
24 |
|
MEATH |
24 |
|
MONAGHAN |
7 |
|
OFFALY |
14 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
11 |
|
SLIGO |
14 |
|
TIPPERARY |
32 |
|
WATERFORD |
19 |
|
WESTMEATH |
19 |
|
WEXFORD |
25 |
|
WICKLOW |
16 |
|
Grand Total |
702 |
772. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons expected to benefit as a result of the roll out of jobseeker’s benefit to the self-employed by county in tabular form; when she expects the new scheme to be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29347/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is planned that the new scheme of jobseekers benefit for the self-employed which I announced as part of Budget 2019 will be introduced from November this year. The Social Welfare Bill 2019 will provide for the necessary legislation required to introduce this new scheme and is progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Once enacted, jobseeker’s benefit self-employed will be payable to individuals who lose their self-employment and as a consequence are no longer engaged in self-employment. To qualify for the scheme a person will have to satisfy the qualifying conditions including a PRSI contribution condition.
As with any new demand led scheme it is difficult to forecast the numbers that will apply and qualify. Factors such as labour market conditions and the prevailing economic conditions will affect the take up of this scheme. The Department estimates that some 1,000 could benefit from the scheme in 2019 and approximately 6,500 could benefit at any point in time in a full year. A breakdown of this information on a county basis is not currently available.
I trust that this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
773. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [29349/19]
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 18 January 2019 and further medical evidence in relation to her claim was received on 05 April 2019. This claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 04 July 2019 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
774. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a first payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29363/19]
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.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
The application for CA was disallowed on the grounds that the person concerned was found to be working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.
The person concerned was notified on 11 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
The Department was notified that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was forwarded to the SWAO on 28 January 2019.
As a result of an appeals officer’s decision CA was awarded to the person concerned on 4 July 2019 with effect from 30 August 2018. The first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 11 July 2019.
Arrears of allowance for the period 30 August 2018 to 10 July 2019 will issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified of this outcome on 4 July 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
775. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29365/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 December 2018 the person concerned was awarded disability allowance (DA) at full rate with effect from 3 January 2018 following a review of her means.
During the period 3 January 2018 to 16 August 2018 an increase was paid to her separated spouse for her benefit. Consequently, the amount of social welfare already paid required calculation and was deducted from any arrears due. A person cannot receive two social welfare payments consecutively in any one period.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
776. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29371/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
To date, an application for invalidity pension has not been received from the lady concerned. An application form has issued to her for completion. On receipt of the completed application form, her entitlement will be examined and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
777. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29373/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer’s allowance (CA) was receive from the person concerned on 2 October 2018. The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of deciding the claim. The person concerned failed to provide the SWI with information that was required to determine if her means were below the statutory limit.
As the requested information was not supplied it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA.
The person concerned was notified on 1 May 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision. The outcome of the review is that the person concerned has been awarded CA with effect from 4 October 2018. First payment will issue on 18 July 2019.
Arrears of allowance from 4 October 2018 to 17 July 2019 will also issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 8 July 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.
778. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on digital marketing in each of the past eight years; the items on which funds were spent; the criteria by which target audiences were selected; the amount of the digital spend targeted here; the amount targeted abroad; the amount that related to private companies; the amount that related to policy initiatives; and the purpose of the digital advertisements. [29391/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor this response, I interpret ‘digital marketing’ as digital advertising, which includes both social media and online advertising.
My Department administers over 70 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them. Public information campaigns, including social media and online digital advertising, are an important part of this work.
In accordance with Government procurement policy, the Department undertook procurement for the provision of “Media Strategy, Planning and Buying Services” in 2017. As a result of this, Wavemaker was appointed under an Office of Government Procurement framework tender and all media buying since 2017, including digital advertising, is via Wavemaker.
Public information campaigns are developed and targeted carefully in collaboration with our media buyer and use the best mix of media formats to ensure that the Department’s messages reach members of the public effectively, while ensuring value for money.
Digital and social media advertising form an important part of our Department's communications and all DEASP digital advertising, as with all advertising by the Department, is developed to help inform the public as to our services and initiatives. Digital advertising includes programmatic adverts (across a range of media websites/news outlets), Video on Demand (VoD), sponsored digital inserts/pages, as well as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram advertising. Digital and social media adverts can be used to target specific customer cohorts which can be useful when undertaking campaigns such as the promotion of online applications for Maternity and Paternity benefit, or the promotion of location specific initiatives such as regional jobs fairs, for example the Dundalk jobs fair. All of the Department's digital and social media advertising is targeted within Ireland.
There was no spending on digital advertising in the years 2012, 2013 or 2015. Digital advertising expenditure, inclusive of VAT, by campaign purpose, for the years 2014 and 2016-2019 are outlined in the following tables.
2014
|
Campaigns which included digital advertising |
Digital advertising costs (incl. VAT) |
|
Promotion of Educational Fair |
€1,845 |
|
Promotion of Educational Fair |
€554 |
|
Total: |
€2,399 |
2016
|
Campaigns which included digital advertising |
Digital Advertising Costs (incl. VAT) |
|
Launch of Paternity Benefit |
€29,520 |
|
Total: |
€29,520 |
2017
|
Campaigns which included digital advertising |
Digital Advertising Costs (incl. VAT) |
|
Promotion of MyGovID |
€40,590 |
|
Launch of Treatment Benefits for the self-employed (April 2017) |
€28,055 |
|
Awareness-raising campaign on welfare fraud |
€16,627 |
|
Promotion of Paternity Benefit |
€22,588 |
|
Advertising for the Blanchardstown Job Fair |
€813 |
|
Promotion of Jobs Week 2017 |
€2,521 |
|
Launch of Invalidity Pension for the self-employed |
€9,768 |
|
Promotion of additional Treatment Benefits [optical & dental] (October 2017) |
€3,449 |
|
Awareness-raising of changes to the National Minimum Wage |
€7,380 |
|
Total: |
€131,791 |
2018
|
Campaigns which included digital advertising |
Digital Advertising Costs (Incl. VAT) |
|
Promotion of Jobs Week 2018 |
€2,126 |
|
Advertising for the Dundalk Jobs Fair |
€984 |
|
Advertising for the Blanchardstown Jobs Fair |
€369 |
|
Awareness-raising of false self-employment & the Department’s role in determining employment status |
€14,896 |
|
Awareness-raising of changes to the National Minimum Wage |
€7,366 |
|
Total: |
€25,741 |
2019 (to-date)
|
Campaigns which included digital advertising |
Digital Advertising Costs (Incl. VAT) |
|
Launch and promotion of the MyWelfare.ie online service |
€24,600 |
|
Promotion of Jobs Week 2019 |
€3,502 |
|
Awareness-raising campaign of changes to employment legislation (Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act) |
€4,485 |
|
Advertising of the Cross-Border Job Fair |
€1,599 |
|
Promotion of the Working Family Payment* |
€23,493 |
|
Promotion of JobsIreland.ie* |
€12,291 |
|
Promotion of MyWelfare.ie: Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance* |
€14,521 |
|
Promotion of MyWelfare.ie: Maternity/Paternity Benefits* |
€30,705 |
|
Total: |
€115,196 |
I trust this settles the matter for the Deputy.
*Please note that this is budgeted spend. Invoices have not yet been received.
779. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a community employment scheme placement will be extended in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [29427/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRequests for extending participants on Community Employment Schemes are only considered by this Department at the request of the Project Sponsor; however, a request for an extension for this participant has not yet been received by the Project Sponsor to date.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
780. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if arrears of exceptional needs or rent supplement payment will issue to help cover arrears of rent in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29431/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned made an application for rent supplement in September 2018. The Community Welfare Officer requested documentation to support their application; as the documentation requested was not provided, and the application for rent supplement was disallowed.
The person concerned was informed of this decision in October 2018.
My Department has not received an enquiry or application for an exceptional needs payment in relation to rent arrears or a rent supplement from the person concerned . An exceptional needs application form has been sent to the customer on 3rd July 2019 and a decision will be made once the application has been received.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
781. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of restoring the bereavement grant. [29432/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is worth noting that there are a range of supports available for people following bereavement which provide more significant support than the grant. These include weekly-paid widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pensions, which are based on contributions or a means test, and a once-off widowed or surviving civil partner grant of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. In Budget 2016, the Government increased the payment after death period to 12 weeks for carer’s allowance. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income, which may include help with funeral and burial expenses. This is a more targeted and efficient manner of assisting people with bereavement expenses. In 2018 ENPs were made in respect of 2,812 funerals at a cost of €5.317m and 69 burial expenses at a cost of €140,674.
The number of bereavement grant claims in 2013 was 23,716, and this represented an increase of approximately 4% on 2012. Based on a similar yearly increase each year since 2013, it is estimated that the number of bereavement grant claims that might arise in 2020, were the scheme to be reintroduced, would be in the region of 31,200, and the number would be expected to increase in future years. Accordingly, if there were 31,200 such grants made in 2019, at a rate of €850 each, the cost would be approx. €26.5 million. Any decision to reinstate it would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
782. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the costs paid to companies (details supplied) for projects for which each was engaged by her Department in the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the reason each was engaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29442/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department did not engage any of the companies in question for a capital or ICT project in respect of the years in question. The companies were engaged to provide consultancy services and other services required in the day to day running of the Department. Details of any payments made from 2015 to date are set out by year in the following tables. There were no payments made to A&L Goodbody or Davy for the years in question.
Tables:
2019
|
Company |
Project - reason |
Expenditure |
|
PWC |
Data Specialist |
€97,150 |
2018
|
Company |
Project |
Expenditure |
|
Mazars |
GDPR and Accounting advice for Social Welfare and Civil Registration Bill 2017. |
€115,721 |
2017
|
Company |
Project |
Expenditure |
|
KPMG |
Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund |
€235,870 |
|
Mazars |
Internal Audit Services, GDPR Analysis |
€224,784 |
2016
|
Company |
Project |
Expenditure |
|
Mazars |
ICT Internal Audit Services |
€15,074 |
|
Arthur Cox law firm |
Settlement to Solicitors. |
€17,048 |
|
2015 |
Nil to report |
Expenditure on projects, including consultancy services is closely monitored and companies are only engaged for essential work, following a rigorous assessment of need. Since 2016, in accordance with FOI guidelines all contracts awarded over €25k are published quarterly on www.welfare.ie. In addition, since 2011, details of expenditure on IT External Services Provision, eGovernment and Consultancy subheads are published annually on www.welfare.ie .
783. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of early years sector staff that signed on to the live register for the summer months each year for the past five years; the cost of such claims for each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29456/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my Department that it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy, as Early Years Education workers are not separately identifiable from other Education Sector workers on the Live Register.
784. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff working within the State pension section; the number in each area within the section; and when staff were last taken on in the section. [29491/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish state pension schemes are centrally administered from the Department’s office located at College Road, Sligo. Staffing figures as at the end of June are set out in the table below; there are two figures provided; one for the full-time equivalent staffing number (FTE) and the other for the number of staff on site (comprises full-time staff and staff availing of shorter working weeks).
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
|
Main Business Area |
FTE |
Staff Count |
|
State Pension Contributory |
151.41 |
165 |
|
Widow's, Widower's and Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pensions & Guardians' Payments |
40.03 |
45 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
79.24 |
82 |
|
Household Benefits (incl Free Travel and Fuel Allowance) |
58.77 |
63 |
|
Widows Non-Contributory, Blind Pension, Deserted Wives Allowance, Deserted Wives Benefit |
11.00 |
11 |
|
Total |
340.45 |
366 |
In addition to the above there are a number of staff who provide support services such as scanning and postal work to the pensions area. Temporary resources were recruited to the pensions area on a phased basis since September 2018 to carry out a specific pension review and these staff will be released as the review work progresses to completion.
The most recent recruitment of staff to the State Pension schemes occurred in July 2019.
785. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied). [29520/19]
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.
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant’s means are less than the statutory limit.
Following a review of the claim, the claim was terminated as the means of the person concerned were found to be excess of the statutory limit.
The person concerned was notified on 30 April 2019 of this outcome, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her claim. The outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed.
On 28 May 2019 the person concerned was notified of this outcome and of their right of appeal.
The person concerned has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision is being prepared and will shortly be forwarded along with the file to the SWAO for determination.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
786. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the costs paid to a company (details supplied) for projects on which each was engaged by her Department in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the reason it was engaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29551/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the total payments made by year to the company in question are set out in the following table. The expenditure relates to all payments made from 2015 to date, primarily for technical external service delivery assistance on a variety of ICT projects and also for some consultancy services.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2019 to date |
€3,165,965 |
|
2018 |
€7,443,240 |
|
2017 |
€7,219,294 |
|
2016 |
€5,507,793 |
|
2015 |
€4,042,665 |
Expenditure on ICT projects, including consultancy services is closely monitored and companies are only engaged for essential work, following a rigorous assessment of need. Since 2016, in accordance with FOI guidelines all contracts awarded over €25k are published quarterly on www.welfare.ie. In addition, since 2011, details of expenditure on IT External Services Provision, eGovernment and Consultancy are published annually on www.welfare.ie.
787. 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. [29607/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance 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 CA was received from the person concerned on 28 June 2018. This application was disallowed as their weekly means were found to exceed the statutory limit.
The person concerned was notified on 27 November 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The outcome of the appeal is that the original decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed. The appeal’s office decision is final in this matter and can only be reviewed in light of new evidence or facts not previously considered.
It is always open to the person concerned to re-apply for the scheme if her means decrease in the future. The person concerned may also wish to consider making an application for the stand alone Carer’s Support Grant and Homemakers Scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
788. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29609/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 March 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 20 June 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.
789. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29610/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 25 June 2019 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
790. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for a disability allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29612/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady was awarded disability allowance (DA) from 3 January 2018 to 28 August 2018 when she transferred to the state pension contributory (SPC) payment.
Arrears of allowance due have issued to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
791. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29613/19]
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 24 April 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.
792. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29614/19]
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 25 March 2019.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person concerned must be providing full-time care and attention and it is a further condition that the person being cared for must require full-time care and attention.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that either of these conditions was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 6 June 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned has contacted by department on 21 June 2019 to request additional time in order to gather further information before requesting a review.
To date no request formal request for same has been received by my Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
793. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29618/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence including that adduced at the oral hearing, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned on 21 May 2019. Under social welfare legislation, the decision of an Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.
I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer is currently reviewing the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his/her appeal has been finalised.
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.
794. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for carer's benefit by a person (details supplied) County Kildare will be expedited in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29633/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to a person 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 CARB was received from the person concerned on 23 May 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.
795. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29637/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 17 July 2019. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.
796. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29638/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 February 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 30 May 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.
797. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29639/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 19 June 2019 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
