Written Answers Nos. 270-277
270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of an alleged overpayment; if their appeal can be expedited given the stress that this ongoing case is causing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9 September 2022. 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 Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 9 November 2022.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 9 November 2022, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
271. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61510/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions
I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of DA from 30 March 2011 to 20 September 2022.
My Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 19 May 2022, notifying a change of circumstances regarding her disability allowance (DA).
I can confirm that following a review, a means assessment has determined that the person concerned means exceed the statutory maximum allowed under the DA scheme. A letter notifying the person concerned issued on 05 October 2022.
An appeal was lodged with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 09 November 2022.
The person concerned will be notified directly regarding the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
272. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of any discussions or consultations that she has had with representatives of postmasters in relation to the huge workload expected by them in the coming weeks, especially in terms of paying double payments and fortnightly payments in the same week; if she will be holding meetings with any representatives to discuss other issues (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61527/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to maintaining the post office network and for An Post to remain in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. My Department’s support for An Post is equally apparent. We are in the process of renewing the contract for cash payment services with the company for another year. The current agreement allows me, as Minister, to extend the term of the contract on an annual basis up to the end of 2025.
Every year, my Department staggers payments over both the Easter and Christmas holiday periods to cater for post offices, banks and credit unions being closed. This Christmas, double payments will be made in the week commencing Monday 19th of December. This ensures that social welfare customers will receive their payments even though financial institutions and post offices are closed on Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th December. Post offices, which are usually open on Saturday mornings, are also closed this year on Saturday 31st of December.
As the week leading up to Christmas Day is usually busy in post offices, there is a longstanding arrangement with An Post to bring payments forward in order to better manage customer footfall and to pay social welfare customers an extra few days before Christmas. The scheduling of the double week payments being made in the week commencing Monday 19 December 2022 is as follows:
- Friday 23rd December payments will be brought forward to Thursday 22nd December.
- Thursday 22nd December payments will be brought forward to Wednesday 21st December.
- There is no change to payments due Monday 19th, Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st of December.
- Monday 2nd January 2023 payments will be paid on Friday 30th December 2022.
My Department’s contract for the provision of cash payment services is with An Post. The working arrangements of the post masters is a matter for the company.
The Christmas payment arrangements were agreed by my Department in advance with An Post and follow similar payment schedules which have operated successfully for many years.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
273. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61556/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 22 September 2022, notifying a change of circumstances regarding his disability allowance (DA).
I can confirm that following a review, the person concerned was assessed with nil means from 06 July 2022.
The first payment at the increased rate will be made by the person's chosen payment method on 14 December 2022. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 06 December 2022.
Arrears of payment due from 06 July 2022 to 13 December 2022 will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
274. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61558/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this person on 04 August 2022.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 27 September 2022.
Further medical evidence was received on 12 October 2022 and a review of this decision was carried out. The original decision was upheld and the person concerned was notified in writing on 05 December 2022.
The person concerned requested an appeal with the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO) on 26 October 2022.
This person will be notified directly regarding the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
275. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding that was provided to Limerick from her Department in 2022, broken down by project in tabular form. [61584/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the Department's interpretation of funding/grants, the Department of Social Protection has not funded any projects in Limerick. If the Minister of State wishes to provide a more detailed definition of what he means by project, we will revisit his query.
276. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a serious matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 37,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 650 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
I am advised by my officials that a payment to the person referred to by the Deputy to the value specified issued from my Department on 16 November 2022.
I trust this information is of assistance.
277. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a serious matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61453/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 37,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 650 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
I am advised by my officials that the matter raised is in hand and payments will issue at the earliest opportunity.
