Robert Troy
Question:330. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal for a person (details supplied). [43835/23]
View answerSocial Welfare Appeals
Questions (330)
Written answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Disability Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12/09/2023. 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 29/09/23 and will be referred 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. The Appeals Officer will be notified of your request.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (331)
Bernard Durkan
Question:331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for disability allowance is expected to be finalised in the case of a person (details supplied), given the appeal was submitted ten weeks ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43911/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 05 July 2023. 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 received on 20 July 2023 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 26 July 2023, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Offices
Questions (332)
Brendan Griffin
Question:332. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason direct phone contact to local Intreo offices has been withdrawn and replaced with a centralised service; the rationale for this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43938/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Intreo Contact Centre (NICC) was established within my Department to respond efficiently and effectively to telephone calls made to Intreo Offices nationally. Between June 2021 and May 2022, the NICC replaced all Intreo centre main telephone numbers. It aims to deliver a cohesive cross regional service and to provide the best possible experience for customers through the provision of a centralised point of contact for Intreo customer queries. It acts as a virtual Intreo reception, providing information, advice, and referrals to customers.
Staff also assist with Public Service Card replacements and extensions. They aim to provide query resolution at the first point of contact where possible, or, if necessary, escalate onward to the relevant Intreo Centre, including to the Community Welfare Service (CWS).
All Intreo staff are committed to prioritising NICC follow-up requests. These are dealt with in real time and, in instances where CWS queries are deemed to be emergencies, these calls are prioritised and escalated to the Duty Community Welfare Officer line.
The provision of an in-person service to customers and access to Intreo Centres continues, while supports for vulnerable customers remain available locally and continue to be an important part of service delivery.
I trust this clarifies matters.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (333)
Michael Creed
Question:333. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on an application for carers allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44059/23]
View answerWritten answers
Carer'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 September 2023.
Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a Deciding Officer on 5 October 2023.
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 position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (334)
Michael Creed
Question:334. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied). [44060/23]
View answerWritten answers
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is an allowance payable in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the child must be likely to require this level of care for at least 12 consecutive months.
An application for DCA in respect of their child, including supporting medical evidence was received from the person concerned on 25 September 2023.
An officer wrote to the applicant on 2 October 2023 to request further details relating to their application, as their application form (Dom Care 1) was incomplete.
As part of the decision process, their application is currently awaiting the opinion of a Departmental Medical Assessor (MA).
On receipt of the MA opinion and of the requested details from the person concerned, a decision will be made on their application as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of the decision in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Departmental Properties
Questions (335)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:335. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the full complement of buildings and lands owned by her Department, or by agencies under the aegis of her Department in County Clare; if they are currently in use, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44165/23]
View answerWritten answers
With the exception of the Department headquarters in Dublin, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, which is held by the Minister on behalf of the Social Insurance Fund, all buildings and property occupied by the Department of Social Protection, are owned or leased by the Office of Public Works. The same applies to the agencies under our remit: the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Authority.
Neither the Department nor its agencies engage in the acquisition of land or buildings, through purchase or lease. The Office of Public Works is responsible for the delivery of office accommodation to meet the operational needs of Government, including the Department of Social Protection and can provide details of all buildings owned or leased.