Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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81. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 29 November 2022, the criteria which are considered before a decision to write off amounts due to her Department as a result of overpayments of the contributory and non-contributory old age pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61254/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Overpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended).  Customers who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Some payments can issue where a customer is deceased and there has been a delay in notifying the Department.

Where an overpayment is raised, the Department is required to make every effort to recover the amount overpaid.  Recovery of the debt owed will be pursued using all the debt recovery mechanisms available to the Department

The Department may write off debt where, because of the age of the debt or otherwise, there is no realistic possibility of recovery of the debt through the estate of the deceased or through a third party institution, or where the value of the debt is such that recovery is not considered economic. 

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61271/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. 

A new claim for IP was received from the person concerned on 10 November 2022.  In order to establish medical suitability two forms were sent to him on 16 November 2022.  On receipt of the completed forms, the IP claim will be processed as quickly as possible and he will be notified directly of the outcome. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age.  Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

A manager will review the Child Benefit claim for the person concerned. The review will be prioritised for early decision. A further decision will issue when the review is complete.

I trust this helps clarify the position for the Deputy.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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84. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the waiting times for those applying for the exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61395/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Community Welfare Service (CWS) is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible. 

Where an application for an Additional Needs Payment is complete and accompanied by the required documentation, it is processed very quickly. 

Where it is clear that a person has an immediate need, every effort is made to ensure he or she receives a payment on the same day.

Where an application cannot be finalised promptly, the delay is normally due to additional information or documentation being requested from the person to support their application and the length of time that it takes for the information to be provided.  This can result in longer processing times for these applications as greater flexibility is given to clients with extended time to respond.  Upon receipt of this information, the application is then processed as quickly as possible.

My Department has taken a number of steps to simplify and streamline the application process:

- There is a full-time CWO presence in 50 Intreo Centres nationwide, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday in line with my continuing commitment to a service which has local engagementwith local clients as its cornerstone.

- A person does not have to attend an office in person to make a claim.  If it is more convenient for them, they can speak directly with a CWO when they call the CWS freephone line.  People who have never been to a CWO before find this very useful. 

- Of course, in addition, CWOs attend clinics in other locations, deal with people over the phone and where needed, arrange to visit a person’s house by appointment.

- As part of the Budget estimate, I secured agreement for some 74 additional staff to be assigned to the CWS.  Recruitment has commenced and it is anticipated that they will be in place by Q1 2023.  In the interim, until the staff have been recruited, 30 Social Welfare Inspectors have been temporarily reassigned to the Community Welfare Service since the start of November to assist with claims processing.

- The number of applications for Additional Needs Payments has slowed in recent weeks.  This can likely be attributed to the €1.2 Billion which has been paid out under the eight lump sum payments since the Budget.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66.  This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions. 

I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this gentleman on 22 June 2022.

Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.  The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 29 September 2022.

Further medical evidence was received, and a review of this decision was carried out.  The original decision was upheld, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 05 December 2022.  

The person concerned requested an appeal with the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO) on 26 October 2022.

The person will be notified directly regarding the outcome of the appeal by the SWAO.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.