Written answers

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

9:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for a clothing allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13580/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the HSE based on the particular circumstances of the case. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment.

The HSE has advised that the application for assistance from the person concerned was refused as the need was not established. The person concerned was advised in writing of her right to appeal the decision to the relevant appeals office in the HSE. An appeal has been lodged with the Appeals Office in the HSE and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing when a decision has been reached.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [13586/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hands, the Department has made a further nine (9) additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.

While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made. 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 on social welfare entitlements.

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