Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Bernard J. Durkan.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
exceptional needs payment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in
County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7943/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The person concerned was awarded an
exceptional needs payment on 8 December 2011. No further applications have been received.
Employment Support Services
333. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will explain
the logic that means a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of a one parent family payment
and would like to get back to work cannot apply for a TÚS position. [7951/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The purpose of TÚS is to focus on
those people who are long-term unemployed. For this reason, eligibility is at present confined
to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance.
These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently affected by long-term
unemployment. As the person concerned is not in receipt of any jobseekers payment, she does
not satisfy the eligibility criteria for either participating on Tús or for recruitment as a full time
Tús Supervisor/Team Leader.
Social Welfare Appeals
334. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal in
respect of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that this appeal is in the system almost
12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7956/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The Social Welfare Appeals Office has
advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who
proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. There has been a very significant increase in the
number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake
was 14,070 to 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. This has
significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in
order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as
quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person’s oral hearing will be
heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare
Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department
and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare
entitlements.
Social Welfare Code
335. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter
(details supplied) regarding long-term carers; and if she will make a statement on the
matter. [7967/12]
Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The home-maker’s scheme which is in
place in my Department since 1994 is designed to accommodate people who take time out of
the workforce for caring duties and to ensure that they do not lose their entitlement to a State
pension (contributory). The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for an incapacitated
person to be disregarded when the carer’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension
purposes.
472