Thomas Gould
Ceist:186. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department sent letters to recipients informing them of the option to receive their payment via bank transfer. [14103/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (186)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department uses letters as one form of communication to inform customers of relevant information concerning their rights including the options available to them to receive payments from my Department.
My Department provides two main payment options for its customers: payment in cash at post offices or payment directly into customer accounts by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). Last year, 70% of all Social Welfare payments were made by EFT and 29.5% were by cash collection at post offices. A small number of ad hoc payments were also made by cheque, which represented 0.5% of all payments.
Customers are offered a choice of payment method for most Social Welfare schemes and their wishes are facilitated where they choose to receive their social welfare payment at a post office. This is a matter of customer choice and preference and my Department has a duty to inform customer's of their rights. However, for control reasons, choice of payment method is restricted for a small number of Social Welfare schemes.
During the Covid pandemic, the rules governing choice of payment method for Social Welfare schemes were greatly relaxed. Customers who previously were required to collect their payment from a post office were given the option to receive their Social Welfare payment directly into an account in a financial institution, whether that be a bank, a credit union or An Post.
This was done to help customers comply with health guidelines on social distancing. The rules around payment collection by an agent were also relaxed.
As the pandemic receded, pre-Covid rules were reinstated on a phased basis. This has led to a migration of Jobseeker payments back to post offices over the last year. There is also currently a review of agent arrangements for customers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance payments.
The reinstatement of cash collection at a post office as the default payment method for Jobseekers has resulted in an increase of almost 25% in the number of Jobseeker payments transacted by An Post in the last year.
The current review of agent collection arrangements for those people in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance payment has involved my Department writing out to customers to check whether they still require an agent to collect their post office payment. In the vast majority of cases, these customers have told my officials that they no longer need an agent and can continue to collect their payment themselves at a post office. A very small number of customers have indicated that they still require an agent.
Any carer not able to collect their payment at a post office could indicate an inability to provide care. For this reason, the use of an agent is only allowed in exceptional circumstances. All customers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance who had an agent were also given the option to have their payment made directly into an account in a financial institution.
Payment by EFT is permitted for the Carer's Allowance Social Welfare scheme and my Department has a responsibility to ensure that customers are made aware of all of the payments options available to them.
It is not proposed to limit the freedom of Social Welfare customers to be paid directly at a post office. Neither is it Departmental policy to advise or encourage customers to favour one financial institution over another.
With the exception of a small number of schemes, due to control reasons, my Department remains committed to providing social welfare recipients with a choice of payment method. My Department will respect customer choice as appropriate and make payments in line with customer preference where choice is available.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (187)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:187. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14111/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 8 November 2022. 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. These papers were returned to the Appeals Office on 28 February 2023 and referred on 16 March 2023 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. All additional documents provided by the Deputy have been brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (188)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal has been completed for a carer's support grant application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14112/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 14 December 2022. 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. These papers were returned to the Appeals Office on 2 February 2023 and referred on 3 February 2023 to an Appeals Officer 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.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (189)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the most recent application for the disability allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14148/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Disability 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 DA from the person concerned on 23 March 2022. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this application, it was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 26 May 2022, and they were given the right to a review or an appeal. An appeal was lodged with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). On 27 October 2022, the SWAO notified the DA section that the original decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed. The person concerned was notified directly by the SWAO regarding their appeal.
An Appeals Officer’s decision is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence. It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA. An application form has been posted to the person concerned on 20 March 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Human Trafficking
Ceisteanna (190)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:190. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare inspectors who have been provided with training in relation to human trafficking. [14362/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The primary role of the social welfare inspectorate involves the interviewing of scheme claimants and investigation of relevant circumstantial and means factors in order to determine the satisfaction of scheme eligibility conditions. The investigative function continues, at periodic intervals, when inspectors are assigned cases for investigation to determine continuing satisfaction of scheme conditions and report any changes that impact on payment entitlement rates. Additionally, inspectors undertake investigations of employers in relation to PRSI scheme compliance and maintenance of individual employee records. The detection and prevention of scheme fraud and abuse is also a part of an inspector’s role. No training in relation to human trafficking has been provided to social welfare inspectors attached to the Department’s Control Operations Unit or the Special Investigations Unit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (191)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:191. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the average numbers of days training per grade in her Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how the figures compare internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14864/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Awaiting reply from Department.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (192)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:192. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is planned that respite services for children and young adults will recommence at Drumboe House, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13993/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (193)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:193. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any progress has been made in establishing a community neuro-rehabilitation team, operational within CHO 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13995/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this concerns service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (194)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:194. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking in response to an inspection report by the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, into an intellectual disability facility (details supplied). [14296/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Adult safeguarding is an important matter for all of society, agencies, and Government Departments. I take all allegations of abuse/mistreatment of vulnerable adults very seriously.
There are various structures and processes available to protect against abuse within the health sector and ensure prompt action including legislative and policy measures.
Significant work is ongoing in the health and social care sector to further strengthen adult safeguarding policy and legislation, building on the robust structures already in place.
The question relates to a disability centre, registered by the Chief Inspector for people with disabilities operated by the HSE.
Under the Health Act 2007, the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) disability inspection team is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for adults and children with a disability.
Additionally, HIQA has responsibility for setting standards for healthcare services, and monitoring compliance with those standards. It also regulates facilities providing care for those with disabilities, to determine if they are meeting the relevant National Standards
HIQA have confirmed that an inspection was completed on the 3rd of November 2022. At the time of inspection, due to the findings, an urgent action was issued relating to safeguarding concerns. HIQA also made a referral to the National Safeguarding Office.
HIQA continues to engage with the provider and take the necessary actions in line with regulatory processes.
Both the HSE and HIQA are currently working with the provider.
There is a requirement on the HSE funded service providers to take all appropriate measures to prevent abuse from arising as well as to respond and report all abuse concerns as per their Service agreement with the HSE and in compliance with the HSE Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse Policy.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (195)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:195. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence regarding access to services in south Louth CDNT (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14364/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.