Written Answers Nos. 591-615
591. 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. [43040/19]
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 increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA for one care recipient since 26 June 2008.
My department received an application for CA for a 2nd care recipient on 13 September 2018.
A natural justice letter was sent to the person concerned on 5 November 2018 in relation to their hours of employment.
Additional information was requested by a deciding officer on 11 May 2019. A further information request in relation to the person’s application was sent by a deciding officer on 20 August 2019.
The application for CA for the first care recipient was stopped and for the second care recipient was disallowed, on the grounds that the person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week. I am advised that information provided by the person's employer advised that she was working between 23 and 28 hours per week for the period being investigated.
The person concerned was notified on 4 September 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and her right of review and appeal. Another letter issued to the customer on 18 October 2019 setting out a revised decision, the reason for it and her right of review and appeal.
Changes announced as part of Budget 2020 provide that a carer can work up to 18.5 hours per week from January 2020.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
592. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43041/19]
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 10 October 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.
593. 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. [43042/19]
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.
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 21 August 2019. Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 17 October 2019.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
594. 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. [43075/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis gentleman submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 2 August 2019.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and this gentleman was notified in writing of this decision on 17 October 2019. He was also notified of the reason for it and of the option to submit further medical evidence in support of his application for review and of his right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
595. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pension of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43077/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 14 September 2018 and was awarded a pension at 85% of the maximum rate with effect from their 66th birthday.
Their pension entitlement was subsequently reviewed in July 2019 under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods. The person’s pension entitlement, based on their full-rate contributions and credits, plus homecaring periods, increased to 90.14% of the maximum rate of State pension (contributory), with effect from their 66th birthday. They were notified in writing of this decision on 12 July 2019.
Provisions also exist for the award of a mixed insurance pro rata state pension, where a person has substantial periods of PRSI coverage that are not reckonable for pension purposes, in this case their employment in the Department of Education. Whether or not such a pension is more advantageous to a person depends upon their individual circumstances. Their pro rata pension entitlement was assessed as 85.36% of the maximum pension rate, which is less than their 90.14% pension entitlement based on their full-rate social insurance record.
The person concerned is on the most financially beneficial rate of State pension (contributory) and the correct rate of pension commensurate with their contribution history. They have been notified accordingly on 17 October 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
596. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43080/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 2 October 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 14 October 2019 and the case will be 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.
597. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43081/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 26 June 2019. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this gentleman was substantially restricted in taking up employment. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 27 August 2019.
Further medical evidence in support of his application was received on 4 October 2019. Once a review of this decision is carried out the person concerned will be notified in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
598. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43086/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this gentleman on 13 August 2019.
On 16 October 2019 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made on his DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
599. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43087/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 25 June 2019. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this gentleman was substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 19 September 2019 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
600. 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. [43093/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the submission of further medical evidence by the person concerned, their case has been reviewed and they have been awarded disability allowance with effect from 13 February 2019. The first payment will be made by their chosen payment method on 6 November 2019.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
601. 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. [43094/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 9 November 2018. This application for DA was refused on failing to supply the information which was requested by a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) and they were notified in writing of this decision on 21 March 2019.
This gentleman requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional evidence for consideration on 12 June 2019. The application has been referred back to the SWI for a report on the person’s means and circumstances.
Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
602. 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. [43095/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 September 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 3 October 2019 and the case will be 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.
603. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if time will be granted to allow a person (details supplied) to gather medical evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43096/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department the case in question will be referred 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 appeal hearing.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the person concerned should submit any new evidence he may have in support of his disability allowance appeal as soon as it is available. The appeals system is flexible and fair, allowing for further information to be submitted by the appellant up to and including at an oral hearing, if the Appeals Officer decides that an oral hearing is appropriate in the case. Any additional evidence obtained by the person concerned will be considered by the Appeals Officer.
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.
604. 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. [43097/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 2nd April 2019. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 5th June 2019 setting out the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
A request for a review of the decision was received on the 13th June 2019 and an appeal was subsequently registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 21st June 2019. As part of the appeals process, the application was re-examined by a deciding officer and the person concerned was notified on the 29th August 2019 that the review was unsuccessful. An appeal submission was prepared and forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 16th September 2019 for consideration by an Appeals Officer. The Social Welfare Appeals Office will contact the person concerned directly about the outcome of the appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
605. 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. [43098/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis domiciliary care allowance application has been finalised. The person concerned was notified in a letter dated 4th September 2019 that domiciliary care allowance has been awarded from the 1st January 2019. This includes a back-dating payment for the maximum six months allowable in respect of the months January 2019 to June 2019. Arrears due for this period issued with the September 2019 payment on the 19th September 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
606. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43099/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 27 September 2019 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
608. 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. [43102/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis lady was notified on the 15th July 2019 that her Domiciliary Care Allowance was awarded on appeal from 1st May 2018.
Arrears due for this period issued together with her August 2019 payment on the 20th August 2019.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
609. 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. [43123/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 29 August 2019. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 31 October 2019. Any arrears due from 29 August 2019 to 30 October 2019 will issue as soon as possible. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on 17 October 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
610. 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. [43125/19]
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 this lady on 27 May 2019. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 30 August 2019 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
She 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 is being prepared by the department and will be forwarded to the SWAO for determination as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
611. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons on jobseeker's allowance and JobPath for 12 months or more in Ballybofey, Stranorlar and Killygordon, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43126/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection provides a range of activation supports catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. These supports include the JobPath service.
The JobPath service was launched in 2015 on a ‘rolling basis’ with referral numbers gradually increasing over time. Between July 2015 and September 2019 some 244,400 jobseekers had engaged with the service.
While the Department does not keep separate statistics for Ballybofey, Stranorlar or Killygordon, participants in the JobPath service from these areas are most likely to have been referred by the Social Welfare Branch Office in Ballybofey.
There are currently 1,270 Jobseeker's Allowance claims registered in the Ballybofey Social Welfare Branch Office and 911 of these are for longer than 12 months. There are currently 715 clients engaged in JobPath following a referral from this Social Welfare Branch Office.
Jobseekers may be supported through the JobPath service for up to 30 months: under the service jobseekers have access to a personal adviser (PA) who works with them potentially over two phases. During the first phase, of 12 months duration, the PA provides practical assistance in searching, preparing for, securing and sustaining employment. It should be noted that the aim of the JobPath service is to find sustainable employment for clients during this phase. The second phase only starts if the jobseeker is successful in finding work (during phase one). During this phase the PA continues to work with the jobseeker for a further period of at least three months, and up to 12 months, providing in employment supports. In addition to the two phases jobseekers may also undertake training while with the service and this may extend the period the jobseeker is supported through the service for up to a further 6 months. Of the 715 currently engaged who were referred from Ballybofey social welfare branch office, 203 were referred over 12 months ago.
I trust this clarifies matters for the deputy.
612. 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. [43127/19]
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 7 October 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.
613. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); the length of time appeals are taking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43128/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office. 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 August 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.
614. 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. [43130/19]
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 gentleman concerned on 08 May 2019. The claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on 16 July 2019 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
He requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of his request. Following a review of all the information available the deciding officer (DO) is now satisfied that the medical conditions for the scheme are satisfied and invalidity pension has been awarded to the gentleman in question with effect from 09 May 2019. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 31 October 2019. Any arrears due from 09 May 2019 to 30 October 2019 will issue as soon as possible. He was notified of this decision on 18 October 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
615. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43132/19]
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 21 August 2019 and that the Appeals Officer has been considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. It is envisaged that the Appeals Officer's decision will be issued to the person concerned in the very near future.
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.
