Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of requests for mortgage interest rent support or other supplementary welfare payment received in each of the past 12 months and to date in 2011; the number approved, rejected, refused or pending during the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36651/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Statistics are not available on the number of mortgage interest, rent supplement and basic supplementary welfare applications received each month or the outcome of those applications. However, I can confirm that to date in 2011 (18th November) a total of 85,913 basic supplementary welfare allowance claims, 57,207 rent supplement claims and 9,069 mortgage interest supplement claims have been awarded. I have also attached a tabular statement showing the number of basic supplementary welfare allowance, rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement claims awarded in each of the past 12 months.

Details of claims awarded in each of the last 12 months.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average time taken to process applications for carer's allowance in each of the past three years to date; the number granted, refused and referred to appeal; the number overturned on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36652/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The information requested in respect of carer's allowance applications is contained in the table.

These figures relate to the initial decision made on each application. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that 1,046 carer's allowance appeals were received in 2008, 1,977 in 2009, 2,969 in 2010 and 1,838 appeals have been received in 2011 (to 31 October 2011).

During 2008 a total 750 appeals were determined of which 421 (56%) had a successful outcome for the appellant. The relevant figures for 2009 are 1,185 appeals determined of which 637 (53%) had a successful outcome. The relevant figures for 2010 are 2,145 were determined of which 1,215 (56%) has a successful outcome for the appellant. The figure for 2011 are 2,602 appeals determined of which 1,288 (49.5%) had a successful outcome.

While roughly 53% of the combined totals (3,561) had a successful outcome for appellants, almost half of these decisions (1,906) were in fact revised decisions made by deciding officers in the carer's allowance section of the Department, who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. These revised decisions arose primarily as a result of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the original decision on his /her claim. In such cases an appeals officer's decision was not necessary.

Of the 487 carers appeals determined by an appeals officer in 2008, 158 were allowed or partially allowed (32%) while in 2009 the relevant number allowed by Appeals Officers was 277 (33%); the relevant figure for 2010 was 520 allowed (35.64%); and, for 2011, 700 (34.76%).

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons from whom a refund of overpayments of adult dependant allowance attached to old age pension is being sought in view of the fact that the particular allowance was always means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36653/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is payable to recipients of certain benefits, allowances and pensions in respect of a qualified adult (their spouse, partner or civil partner) who is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where the qualified adult's personal means from any source(s) do not exceed a weekly means limit.

As part of the Department's Control Strategy, scheme administrations carry out annual and periodic reviews of IQA entitlement. Review projects for State pension (contributory) and invalidity pension recipients are currently being undertaken. It is the Department's policy to pursue the full recovery of all overpayments identified in these control activities in accordance with its debt recovery guidelines, and to put in place a debt recovery plan by agreement with the person concerned at a rate of repayment which does not cause them undue financial hardship. The Department is currently dealing with almost 400 cases where overpayments have been identified.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which refunds are being sought in respect of means tested allowances; if the applicants were informed of the conditions at the time of award of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36654/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of my Department which processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week. However, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them.

When a customer makes an application for any social welfare payment they are provided with a detailed information booklet in addition to the application form. This booklet clearly outlines the conditions for eligibility for the particular scheme. The application form further outlines these conditions and requires the applicant to sign a declaration to the effect that they will notify the Department if they no longer fulfil those conditions or if their means or circumstances change in a manner which would affect their payment.

In addition, when a claim is awarded, a decision letter is issued to the customer which outlines the fact that they are required to notify the Department of any changes in their means or circumstances which may affect their payment. When a claim is reviewed at a later date, the customer is again asked about their means and circumstances and informed that they must notify the Department of any changes.

Where, following a review of a claim in payment, it is confirmed that the customer had been receiving a payment to which they were not entitled, or were receiving a payment at a higher rate than they were entitled, a deciding officer makes a revised decision on the entitlement. Deciding officers decide the effective date of a revised decision having regard to the new facts or new evidence and the circumstances of the case. This can result in the assessment of an overpayment.

Fraud overpayment cases arise mainly on foot of false declarations by customers concerning their employment, income or family status. Non-fraud cases are primarily due to customer or third party error or departmental error. In the case of customer error, the customer had not fully disclosed their full means or circumstances, but the deciding officer decides it was an error or oversight by the customer, not wilful concealment or fraud. Estate cases arise where undisclosed means by customers (usually pensioners) come to light after their deaths.

The Department is fully committed to recovering 100% of overpayments arising as a result of suspected fraud or error. Effective debt recovery is seen as an integral part of the deterrent to fraudulent claiming. Debt holders should be aware that a debt owing to my Department will remain on their records until fully recovered. This will result in a reduction of all future entitlements up to and including state pension. Following the death of a customer who owes a debt, the Department has a claim on any estate remaining. Persons who have a debt and who are not longer dependent on social welfare are required to repay this debt as quickly as possible. The Department actively pursues the recovery of all overpayments including the initiation of civil proceedings where appropriate.

The Deputy should note that I recently launched a new Fraud Initiative (2011 – 2013) which is aimed at putting in place a range of actions to combat fraud and abuse of the social welfare system and to ensure there is public confidence and trust in the system. Given this enhanced approach, the Department plans to increase the level of debt recovery by reviewing the overall approach, particularly in the context of overpayments that have arisen from suspected social welfare fraud. While the details, including in particular legal requirements, will have to be examined closely, a range of options will be explored under this initiative with a view to both minimising overpayments and increasing recoveries. The consideration of all options in these areas has of course to be balanced, clearly taking into account the core income support and social inclusion purpose of social protection payments.