Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

511. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which due process and natural justice remains paramount in the context of dealing with social welfare recipients whose cases come under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40479/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Decisions in relation to entitlement to social welfare payments are bound by the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 (as amended) and associated regulations. Every claimant is entitled to have their claim considered in accordance with the principles of natural and constitutional justice and in the context of determinations of entitlement under social welfare legislation. This does not vary at any point in the claim process - whether it is in the initial assessment of the claim, the decision to award or reject a claim, or a review of a claim decision.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

512. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she continues to ensure that undue hardship is not caused to recipients of social welfare payments in cases in which payments have been suspended while under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40480/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is committed to providing a quality service to all of its customers. This includes ensuring that reviews of decisions on social welfare claims are processed as soon as possible, and that the outcomes are notified promptly. At all times, every effort is made to complete the reviews as efficiently as possible.

Decisions are not delayed unnecessarily once all the information requested from the customer is made available to my Department. The review process does not result in claim suspension unnecessarily and all customers are afforded every opportunity to engage with my Department during the review.

Undue hardship for customers should not arise if there is ongoing co-operation from the customer with the deciding officer in my Department. This applies across all schemes payment areas. In the event that a delay occurs which results in financial hardship, a customer may apply for support under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme subject to the rules of that particular scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.