Data Collection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2020

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Ceisteanna (595)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

595. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of one-parent family payment claims refused in each social welfare region throughout the country in each of the past five years to date; the degree to which data protection rules were disregarded when compiling information that would ultimately result in the decision to refuse each case; the number of such cases refused or granted, respectively, on appeal by region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38874/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

As the Deputy is aware, my Department carries out its functions within the bounds of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) and of Data Protection legislation at all times. The Department does not, as the Deputy suggests, disregard data protection rules when assessing entitlement for a scheme.

The number of refused One Parent Family Payment applications for the last five years is set out in the table below. It is not possible to disaggregate this data by region or location.

Year	Refusals
2020 (Jan-Oct)	425
2019	874
2018	774
2017	725
2016	699

Information in relation to appeals is provided by the Social Welfare Appeals Office and is set out in the table below. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has informed me that this data is not available on a regional basis.

Year	Total Appeals Finalised	Upheld, Part Upheld, or Revised Decision	Disallowed or Withdrawn
2020 (Jan-Oct)	288	125	163
2019	321	128	193
2018	230	106	124
2017	257	140	117
2016	347	175	172