Written answers
Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits Data
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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212. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons on a supplementary welfare payment other than rent support; the extent to which the number has fluctuated in the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43840/19]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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215. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for supplementary welfare allowance which have been refused on application and granted on appeal in each of the past four years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43843/19]
Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 215 together.
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment and / or a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
The following tabular statement shows in table 1 the number of persons in receipt of a supplementary welfare allowance payment other than rent support as at the end of September 2019 and the end of December in 2015-2018. Table 2 provides statistics in relation to appeals of supplementary welfare decisions. Statistics on the number of applications for supplementary welfare allowance which have been refused on application are not maintained.
The figures provided for appeals which had a favourable outcome for the appellant relate to appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or which were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the appellant by a Deciding Officer / Designated Person.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person. This was the case in 31.5% of all favourable appeal outcomes in 2018 and in 37.6% of all favourable outcomes to end of September 2019.
Where the decision was not revised by the Department in light of the appeal contentions, further evidence is often provided by the appellant as the appeal process proceeds and in addition, the Appeals Officer may gain insights when they meet the appellant in person at oral hearing which may influence the outcome of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Table 1 - Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments 2015-2019
| Year | Basic SWA (Recipient Numbers at year end) | SWA Supplements excluding rent supplement (Recipient Numbers at year end) | ENPs /UNPs (Number of payments Issued) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 16,100 | 11,900 | 101,600 |
| 2016 | 16,200 | 9,600 | 100,100 |
| 2017 | 16,000 | 7,800 | 103,500 |
| 2018 | 17,500 | 6,700 | 112,500 |
| 2019 (end Sep) | 17,100 | 5,500 | 68,000 |
Table 2 - Appeal Receipts and Outcome of Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals Finalised 2015-2019 (to 30/09/2019)
| Appeal Receipts | Appeals Finalised | Allowed By Appeals Officers | Partially Allowed by Appeals Officers | Revised Decisions By Deciding Officers | Appeals Disallowed by Appeals Officers | Withdrawn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2,125 | 2,330 | 634 | 77 | 373 | 1,069 | 177 |
| 2016 | 1,970 | 2,032 | 532 | 75 | 346 | 923 | 156 |
| 2017 | 1,302 | 1,349 | 304 | 34 | 229 | 602 | 180 |
| 2018 | 859 | 1,047 | 258 | 29 | 179 | 467 | 114 |
| 2019 | 740 | 751 | 129 | 18 | 112 | 350 | 142 |
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who received dental benefit in each of the past four years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43841/19]
Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The number of dental claims received in the last four years and to date in 2019 is as follows:
2015 - 312,659
2016 - 319,618
2017 - 417,336
2018 - 804,375
2019 - 719,233 to end September.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who received ophthalmic benefit in each of the past four years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43842/19]
Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The number of optical benefit claims paid in each of the last four years and to date in 2019 is shown below:
2015 - 163,974
2016 - 164,469
2017 - 229,240
2018 - 451,249
2019 - 372,237 to end Sept.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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