Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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725. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider an independent review into the activities of social welfare inspectors at ports and airports with a view to establishing the number of persons’ claims for social welfare payments that were suspended on foot of airport checks; the manner in which flights were selected for such checks; the way this activity was in keeping with complainants' rights to fair procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42911/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of my Department's obligations to ensure proper delivery of its service and compliance with the various scheme conditions, including that Exchequer resources provided for those schemes are protected, Social Welfare Inspectors are required to carry out a range of inspections. These include desk-based assessments of customer claims, face-to-face interviews with customers, home visits, and audits of employers’ PRSI records.

The appointment and duties of Social Welfare Inspectors are provided for in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. Under the provisions of this Act, social welfare inspectors have powers to attend at ports and airports and make enquiries for the purposes of the control and compliance of social welfare schemes. Inspectors have been undertaking control checks at airports and ports since 2012.

Social Welfare Inspectors operate under a code of practice which sets out the manner in which they are required to deal with customers. My Department also has a Customer Charter in place which sets out what a customer should expect when they contact, or are contacted by, the Department.Where a review of a claim results in a disallowance, the customer is entitled to the reasons for the decision and has a right of appeal or review.

My Department has no plans to enact a review for social welfare inspections at ports and airports, and which are provided for by statute, given the existing code of practice and Customer Charter already in place to deal with any issues which may arise.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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726. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the nature of any data collected by her Department relating to social welfare inspectors making home visits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42915/21]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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727. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of home visits carried out by social welfare inspectors in 2020 by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42916/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 726 and 727 together.

As part of my Department's obligations to ensure proper delivery of its service and compliance with the various scheme conditions, Social Welfare Inspectors are required to carry out a range of inspections. The appointment and duties of Social Welfare Inspectors are provided for in Section 250 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. These outline the requirement for a claimant to give an inspector information and any documents that s/he may require for the purposes of an investigation. 

The social welfare inspector considers what investigative approach is required and is most appropriate to the case including desk-based assessments of customer claims, face-to-face interviews with customers, home visits, and audits of employers’ PRSI records. 

The nature of the data collected is contingent on the scheme for which an application is being made. If, for example, eligibility for the scheme involves a means assessment, then information and data necessary to assess means will be sought. This might include details of earnings and/or income from employment or self-employment, or details of assets such as capital or property.

My Department has a Customer Charter in place which sets out what a customer should expect when they contact, or are contacted by, the Department.  Inspectors operate under a code of practice which sets out the manner in which they are required to deal with customers.  The code requires thatcustomers must at all times be treated equally, fairly, with respect and dignity, as outlined in the Customer Charter.  

As regards the information sought by the Deputy on the number of home visits carried out by social welfare inspectors in 2020 by county, it is not possible to provide this as this information is not collated by the Department.  Where appropriate, details of home visits by Social Welfare Inspectors may be included in individual case reports.  Statistical information is not available from this source.

I trust this clarifies the matter.