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Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many renewal claims were made for child benefit (a) in 1997-98 and (b) from 1st April to 31st December 1998; how many (i) have been processed with payments made and order books issued and (ii) are outstanding; and how long...

Asked by

Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

19 January 1999

For answer on

26 January 1999

Answered on

26 January 1999

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many renewal claims were made for child benefit (a) in 1997-98 and (b) from 1 April to 31 December 1998; how many (i) have been processed with payments made and order books issued and (ii) are outstanding; and how long it takes to process a renewal claim. [67032] Mr. McFall: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Chris Thompson to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 26 January 1999: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of applications for renewal order books for child Benefit. The number of renewal order books issued for the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 was 387,636 and for the period 1 April to 31 December 1998 it was 343,356. Figures are not available for those that are outstanding. Renewal order books are normally issued automatically so there is no need for a renewal claim. While most order books are issued in time to ensure that there is no break in payment, there can be a delay in the issuing if some order books. This occurs when a customer has reported a change in their circumstances and enquiries have to be made to clarify their entitlement to benefit. I am aware that these delays can cause distress to customers and we have recently set up a special section to deal with these cases. This will ensure that the number of such cases are kept to a minimum and are processed as quickly as is possible. I hope that this explains the position to you.

Date

26 January 1999

Reference

67032; 324 c191-2W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate she has made of the level of benefit fraud within the social security system; and what plans she has to tackle it. - Inc text of letter from Chris Thompson, Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency.

Asked by

Nigel Evans (Conservative)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

7 December 1998

For answer on

10 December 1998

Answered on

10 December 1998

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the level of benefit fraud within the social security system; and what plans she has to tackle it. [63176] Mr. McFall: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson, and I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Chris Thompson to Mr. Nigel Evans, dated 10 December 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the estimated levels of fraud within the social security system and plans to tackle such fraud. The Social Security Agency is in the process of estimating the levels of fraud in the benefit system. The Agency is using a methodology, known as Benefit Review, which as been successfully used by the Benefits Agency to estimate the levels of fraud in Great Britain. As regards its plans to tackle fraud the Agency is committed to minimising opportunities for fraud and abuse within the social security system. In recent years the Agency has been working even more closely with a wide range of colleagues and other parties to provide a coherent and focused effort in combating fraud and abuse. These include the Benefits Agency in Great Britain, Child Support Agency and Housing Executive in Northern Ireland as well as counterparts in the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in the Republic of Ireland. The Agency is undertaking a wide range of initiatives, which mirror similar work in the Benefits Agency, designed to provide an estimate of the level of fraud within benefit systems, to secure the gateway to benefit systems and to detect and prosecute those who seek to defraud the system. This programme of initiatives is being closely monitored and updated on a regular basis to take account of new developments which may emanate from the Benefits Agency or from new Ministerial objectives. I have recently set up a new Benefit Security Directorate to provide a greater focus and to co-ordinate the programme of work. I can assure you that the Agency will continue to seek new ways of ensuring that resources are targeted effectively at known areas of risk and that expenditure loss through fraud is kept to a minimum. I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require.

Date

10 December 1998

Reference

63176; 322 c275-6W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the difficulties which blind and partially sighted people experience in obtaining access to information on benefits. - Text of letter from Chris Thompson of Northern Ireland Social Security Agency.

Asked by

Martin Smyth (Ulster Unionist Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 July 1998

Reference

317 c386W; 54068

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is the policy of her Department towards income support applications from those currently involved in the Drumcree protest. - Including text of letter from Chris Thompson of Social Security Agency. (Holding answer 17 July 1998).

Asked by

David Winnick (Labour)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 July 1998

Reference

51220; 316 c535-6W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, to comment on the factors underlying delays in issuing child benefit payment books. - Includes text of letter from Chris Thompson of Social Security Agency.

Asked by

William Ross (Ulster Unionist Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

1 July 1998

For answer on

20 July 1998

Answered on

20 July 1998

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the factors underlying delays in issuing child benefit payment books. [49219] Mr. Worthington: I have been asked to reply. Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given. Letter from Chris Thompson to Mr. William Ross, dated 16 July 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the factors underlying delays in issuing child benefit payment books. A combination of factors gave rise to problems in the Child Benefit Office that caused delays in payment books being issued. There was disruption when the Office had to relocate to new premises at Windsor House in November 1997. Added to this were problems with the introduction of two new computer systems, one of which required a key additional feature which was not initially available. There were also technical problems which caused difficulties for staff accessing the computer system; response times were slower and in many instances live claims were rejected. Furthermore, staff took action in April 1998 in protest against threats by terrorist organisations which also had a serious impact on the provision of services. A recovery plan has been in operation which included the deployment of extra staff from elsewhere in the Agency. Extensive overtime is also being worked in order to clear the backlog which has been significantly reduced over the last six weeks. It is anticipated that normal service, including the telephone service, should resume in early August. I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require.

Date

20 July 1998

Reference

316 c367-8W; 49219

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990-91 on the grounds of incontinence. - Text of letter from Chris Thompson of the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency, inc fact that information only available at disproportionate cost.

Asked by

Martin Smyth (Ulster Unionist Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 May 1998

Reference

40197; 311 c461W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the advantages of retaining the social fund section of the Newry Social Security Office, and re-organising the other sections in the southern region; and what consultations have taken place with (a) elected representatives, (b) consumer...

Asked by

Seamus Mallon (Social Democratic & Labour Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

4 March 1998

Reference

307 c670-1W; 31736;31737

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she made of the advantages of centralising Social Fund activity in the Southern Region in the Newry Social Security office, (a) exclusively and (b) in conjunction with one or more other offices; and related questions on services and administrative...

Asked by

Seamus Mallon (Social Democratic & Labour Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

17 February 1998

Reference

306 c575-8W;306 c573-5W; 29030;29035;29031;29032;29033;29036

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many awards were made in 1997 to Post Office staff for assistance in relation to DHSS giro fraud; and what was the total expenditure on such awards; if she will require originals of replaced giros to be held back by...

Asked by

Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

23 January 1998

Reference

304 c721W;304 c715W; 23690;23691

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what was the percentage increase in 1996 of reissues of girocheques (a) in total and (b) by social security office that involved losses to her Department. - Text of letter from Chris Thompson of the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency, and...

Asked by

Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

27 October 1997

For answer on

5 November 1997

Answered on

5 November 1997

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the percentage increase in 1996 of reissues of girocheques (a) in total and (b) by social security office that involved losses to her Department; and if she will make a statement. [13021] Mr. Worthington: Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Chris Thompson. I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given. Letter from Chris Thompson to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 31 October 1997: I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the percentage increase, in 1996, of re-issues of girocheques. The percentage increase in 1996-97 of re-issued girocheques to benefit customers in Northern Ireland which led to losses to the Department of Health and Social Services was 16.9 per cent. This percentage excludes 234 re-issues in 1995-96 and 982 re-issues in 1996-97 which are still under investigation. The percentage change for each Social Security Office is given in the attached table. The main reason for the increase between 1995-96 and 1996-97 is that from November 1995, procedures in the Social Security Agency were brought in line with those of the Benefits Agency in Great Britain to reflect the legal position. Case law in Great Britain on the treatment of claims and payments places the burden of proof on the Department to show that the customer has received benefit from an instrument of payment which has been lost or stolen. This means that the Social Security Agency cannot delay in making a replacement payment, for example, to await the trace encashment of the original girocheque. Within this procedure, all reasonable practical precautions are of course taken before a payment is reissued. The Agency attaches much importance to the prevention of fraud and the use of taxpayers' money and, taking account of the concern expressed, is reviewing its existing procedures. I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require. Number of girocheques re-issued with losses _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Issuing office 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1 April 1996 to 31 March Increase/ Percentage 1996 Loss 1997 Loss decrease Antrim SSO 25 32 +7 +28 Armagh SSO 24 23 -1 -4 Ballymena SSO 34 60 +26 +76.4 Ballymoney SSO 8 15 +7 +87.5 Ballynahinch SSO 4 5 +1 +25 Banbridge SSO 4 12 +8 +200 Bangor SSO 36 64 +28 +77.8 Carrickfergus SSO 19 67 +48 +252.6 Coleraine SSO 40 60 +20 +50 Cookstown SSO 7 18 +11 +157.1 Downpatrick SSO 41 24 -17 -41.5 Dungannon SSO 30 34 +4 +13.3 Enniskillen SSO 19 36 +17 +89.5 Foyle SSO 178 213 +35 +19.7 Headquarters 58 57 -1 -1.7 Kilkeel SSO 1 4 +3 +300 Larne SSO 12 16 +4 +33.3 Limavady SSO 36 35 -1 -2.8 Lisburn SSO 35 30 -5 -14.3 Lisnagelvin SSO 28 47 +19 +67.9 Lurgan SSO 22 23 +1 +4.5 Magherafelt SSO 3 10 +7 +233.3 Newcastle SSO 14 6 -8 -57.1 Newry SSO 82 73 -9 -11 Newtownards SSO 43 38 -5 -11.6 Omagh SSO 24 40 +16 +66.7 Portadown SSO 31 33 +2 +6.5 Strabane SSO 35 54 +19 +54.3 Andersonstown SSO 138 195 +57 +41.3 Corporation Street SSO 241 242 +1 +0.4 Falls Road SSO 157 144 -13 -8.3 Holywood Road SSO 79 58 -21 -26.6 Knockbreda SSO 32 32 0 0 Newtownabbey SSO 30 49 +19 +63.3 Shaftesbury Square SSO 95 69 -26 -27.4 Shankill Road SSO 89 132 +43 +48.3 Total 1,754 2,050 +296 +16.9 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date

5 November 1997

Reference

13021; 300 c202-4W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

Pursuant to her Answer of 23rd June, Official Report, column 404, if she will make it her policy, to ensure that disability living allowance reviews and appeals are costed and the price published; and to comment on the success rate for reviews and appeals. - Text of letter from Alec...

Asked by

Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

31 July 1997

Answered on

31 July 1997

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 23 June, Official Report, column 404, if she will make it her policy, to ensure that disability living allowance reviews and appeals are costed and the price published; and if she will make a statement on the success rate for reviews and appeals. [10476] Mr. Worthington: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given. Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 29 July 1997: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on the costs and success rate of Disability Living Allowance reviews and appeals. As explained in my letter of 17 June 1997, the Social Security Agency does not maintain records on the costs of Disability Living Allowance reviews and appeals, processes to which people who are dissatisfied with adjudication officer decisions have a statutory right of access. Compiling and maintaining this information would require a major clerical work programme at disproportionate costs and the Agency has no plans to introduce such a system. Current available information indicates that around one third of reviews and appeals for Disability Living Allowance are successful. This is broadly in line with other similar benefits. While the Agency aims to get as many decisions as possible correct at the initial claim stage, it frequently happens that, when given a decision on their application, customers provide further evidence of their disability which then has to be reviewed. This is the main reason for the success rate for reviews and appeals. I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require.

Date

31 July 1997

Reference

10476; 299 c523W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

How many disability living allowance reviews and appeals took place last year; what percentage were successful; what is the average cost of each such procedure; and if she will make a statement on the impact on the work of her Department of the total number of decisions which were overturned....

Asked by

Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

23 June 1997

Answered on

23 June 1997

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many disability living allowance reviews and appeals took place last year; what percentage were successful; what is the average cost of each such procedure; and if she will make a statement on the impact on the work of her Department of the total number of decisions which were overturned. [3828] Mr. Worthington: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Alec Wylie, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given. Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 17 June 1997: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about Disability Living Allowance reviews and appeals. The information you requested on the number of reviews and appeals is set out in the attached tables. I regret that information on the cost of review and appeal procedures is not maintained separately and to provide this would require a major clerical exercise generating disproportionate costs. As many customers provide additional evidence throughout the adjudication process, it is inevitable that some of the original decisions will be overturned at the review and appeal stages. Experience also shows that most customers routinely ask for a review or appeal where the higher rates of Disability Living Allowance have not been awarded. In most cases, arrears of benefit arising from overturned decisions are calculated and paid by computer which means that the impact of this work on the Social Security Agency is minimal. I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require. Table No. 1: Review decisions implemented during 1996 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Number of review decisions Success rate 1996 (January to December) 22,253 33.7 per cent. (7,497) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Table No. 2: Tribunal decisions implemented during 1996 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Decisions of appeal tribunal implemented Success rate 1996 (January to December) 3,358 36.6 per cent. (1,230) _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date

23 June 1997

Reference

3828; 296 c403-4W;296 c405-6W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

What (a) number and (b) percentage of disability living allowance claim decisions were (i) reviewed and (ii) appealed against in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage and number achieved variations of awards in their favour. - Includes text of letter from Alec Wylie of Social...

Asked by

Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

20 March 1997

Answered on

20 March 1997

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) number and (b) percentage of disability living allowance claim decisions were (i) reviewed and (ii) appealed against in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage and number achieved variations of awards in their favour. [21009] Mr. Moss: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given. Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 19 March 1997: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for statistics on Disability Living Allowance decisions that were reviewed and appealed against in the last year for which figures are available. The attached sheet sets out the most up to date information available for a complete year which, in this instance, covers the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996. Disability living allowance statistical information 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996 1. Total number of claims received: 48,633 2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Amount Reviews Number of reviews received 22,256 Number of reviews decided 21,261 Number of reviews allowed 7,849 Success rate 37 per cent. Appeals Number of appeals received 2,491 Number of appeals cleared 3,142 Number of appeals allowed 1,320 Success rate 42 per cent. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. It should be noted that the number of appeals and reviews received during the period 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996 do not necessarily relate to the number of claims received during the same period-- i.e. some appeals and review applications were made on previous year claims.

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21009; 292 c822W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

How many people are waiting for an appeal to a tribunal on their claim for (a) disability living allowance and (b) attendance allowance; and various questions on disability living allowance, attendance allowance, incapacity benefit and social fund, claims and recipients in West Belfast and Northern Ireland appeals to tribunals, review...

Asked by

Joe Hendron (Social Democratic & Labour Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

24 February 1997

Reference

291 c97-9W; 16452;16459;16463;16461;16465;16450;16453;16460;16449;16464;16462;16458;16466;16451

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

How many cold weather payments have been made in Northern Ireland during the current winter broken down by the station involved in triggering the payment; and list the cost and the number of recipients of the payments since 1986; and list the weather stations which provide data used in determining...

Asked by

Alan Simpson (Labour)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

13 February 1997

Reference

290 c298-300W; 14899;14900;14898

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

How many persons in each parliamentary constituency are in receipt of disability living allowance; and questions on how many persons are in receipt of severe disablement allowance, incapacity benefit, industrial injuries disablement benefit, social fund maternity payments and one-parent benefit. - Text of letter from Alec Wylie of the Social...

Asked by

Lord Kilclooney (Ulster Unionist Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

13 February 1997

Reference

290 c302-4W; 15322;15326;15330;15328;15323;15327;15329

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

How many individuals are in receipt of (a) disability living allowance, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) severe disablement benefit, (d) family credit, (e) income support, (f) jobseeker's allowance, (g) widow's benefit, (h) state retirement pension and (i) child benefit, in each parliamentary constituency. - Text of letter from Alec Wylie of...

Asked by

Seamus Mallon (Social Democratic & Labour Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

6 February 1997

Answered on

6 February 1997

Mr. Mallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals are in receipt of (a) disability living allowance, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) severe disablement benefit, (d) family credit, (e) income support, (f) jobseeker's allowance, (g) widow's benefit, (h) state retirement pension and (i) child benefit, in each parliamentary constituency. [13314] Mr. Moss: Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given. Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 4 February 1997: I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of people in receipt of various social security benefits in each parliamentary constituency. I have attached a table which shows the number of customers in receipt of five of the benefits listed in your question. Unfortunately, information about Widows Benefit, Child Benefit and Retirement Pension is not available in the format you requested. It will also be some time before the figures are available for Jobseeker's Allowance. I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require. Number of people in receipt of various social security benefits _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Constituency Severe Disablement Incapacity Disability living Income support Family credit Allowance (August benefit{1} (August allowance (August (August 1996) (February 1996) 1996) 1996) 1996) Strangford 652 4,508 4,080 8,085 956 Belfast East 547 3,703 4,213 9,206 806 North Down 646 3,778 3,721 7,809 993 South Down 1,061 6,228 5,980 13,602 1,819 Lagan Valley 702 4,841 6,063 11,694 1,285 South Antrim 1,054 4,630 5,025 8,957 1,340 North Antrim 795 4,731 4,002 11,492 1,531 East Antrim 677 4,756 4,670 10,186 1,327 East Londonderry 979 5,399 4,992 15,512 1,805 Mid-Ulster 1,091 6,910 7,195 16,403 1,957 Newry and Armagh 1,130 6,352 6,596 16,160 1,555 Upper Bann 821 6,760 7,256 11,818 1,537 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 936 4,676 5,327 15,395 1,735 Foyle 1,243 8,179 10,157 22,963 2,046 Belfast South 482 3,412 3,822 11,372 613 Belfast West 860 6,350 10,397 20,355 1,652 Belfast North 745 5,893 7,436 15,693 1,291 Unknown{2} 624 3,070 3,515 7,410 649 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Includes customers in receipt of credits only. {2} Benefit recipients which cannot be assigned to a particular constituency.

Date

6 February 1997

Reference

13314; 289 c727-8W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

If he will list the cost to public funds in the last year for which figures are available of payments of (a) disability living allowance and (b) incapacity benefit, and if he will list the amount paid relative to the total number of electors in each constituency. - Text of...

Asked by

Robert McCartney (United Kingdom Unionist)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

29 January 1997

Answered on

29 January 1997

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the cost to public funds in the last year for which figures are available of payments of (a) disability living allowance and (b) incapacity benefit, and if he will list the amount paid relative to the total number of electors in each constituency. [12447] Mr. Moss: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given. Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 27 January 1997: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on the cost to public funds for payments of Disability Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit relative to the total number of electors in each constituency. To provide the information in the form you requested would require a major clerical exercise generating a disproportionate cost. The two benefits concerned are paid through a GB computer system and the routine information provided on a quarterly basis is limited to the payment details of "live" cases for a selected week. For this reason I am unable to give you year ending figures broken down by constituency for 1995/96. However, the attached tables show the number of "live" cases for both benefit types per constituency and their associated costs for the week ending 29 February 1996. I have also shown the total amount paid for each benefit in that year. Disability living allowance--expenditure and recipients in the week ending 28 February 1996 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Constituency Recipients Expenditure{1} Population aged 18+{2} Expenditure per electorate £ £ Belfast West 9,724 476,987.50 52,899 9.02 Foyle 9,514 480,915.75 73,779 6.52 Belfast North 7,000 336,909.95 53,311 6.32 Upper Bann 6,850 344,618.55 64,783 5.32 Mid Ulster 6,640 341,070.40 68,124 5.01 Newry and Armagh 6,100 315,223.35 65,959 4.78 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 4,823 251,093.45 67,568 3.72 South Down 5,584 280,231.50 75,590 3.71 Lagan Valley 5,590 267,500.95 73,593 3.63 Belfast East 3,951 193,062.50 53,266 3.62 South Antrim 4,747 231,083.80 68,705 3.36 East Antrim 4,399 207,837.75 62,583 3.32 Belfast South 3,511 170,201.70 54,065 3.15 East Londonderry 4,614 226,156.95 75,757 2.99 Strangford 3,792 185,207.05 70,684 2.62 North Antrim 3,728 178,533.85 68,517 2.61 North Down 3,456 170,629.85 68,038 2.51 Unknown{3} 3,699 182,479.05 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Total amount of disability living allowance paid in Northern Ireland for 1995-96 was £244,175,000. {1} Expenditure excludes administrative costs. {2} Population aged 18+ taken from the 1991 Census. {3} Missing codes--can not be distributed evenly across constituencies. Incapacity benefit--expenditure and recipients in the week ending 28 February 1996 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Constituency Recipients Expenditure{1} Population aged 18+{2} Expenditure per electorate £ £ Belfast West 6,429 363,445.92 52,899 6.87 Upper Bann 6,940 435,904.07 64,783 6.73 Foyle 8,152 480,802.78 73,779 6.52 Belfast North 5,861 343,367.63 53,311 6.44 Mid Ulster 7,068 434,729.93 68,124 6.38 Newry and Armagh 6,486 385,177.88 65,959 5.84 South Down 6,375 397,402.09 75,590 5.26 East Antrim 4,887 326,041.89 62,583 5.21 East Londonderry 5,539 355,595.12 75,757 4.69 Belfast East 3,813 248,959.20 53,266 4.67 North Antrim 4,794 312,404.04 68,517 4.56 Strangford 4,489 311,008.21 70,684 4.40 South Antrim 4,668 299,946.35 68,705 4.37 Lagan Valley 4,887 309,826.10 73,593 4.21 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 4,706 282,813.98 67,568 4.19 North Down 3,803 266,819.75 68,038 3.92 Belfast South 3,423 199,317.16 54,065 3.69 Unknown{3} 3,143 208,274.40 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Total amount of incapacity benefit paid in Northern Ireland for 1995-96 was £318,200,000. {1} Expenditure excludes administration costs. {2} Population aged 18+ taken from the 1991 Census. {3} Missing codes--can not be distributed evenly.

Date

29 January 1997

Reference

12447; 289 c305-8W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

How many people from Belfast West (i) are currently in receipt of disability living allowance, (ii) have had applications for disability living allowance turned down in 1996, (iii) are currently in receipt of incapacity benefit and (iv) have had applications for incapacity benefit turned down in 1996. - Text of...

Asked by

Joe Hendron (Social Democratic & Labour Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

13 January 1997

Answered on

13 January 1997

Dr. Hendron: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people from Belfast West (i) are currently in receipt of disability allowance, (ii) have had applications for disability living allowance turned down in 1996, (iii) are currently in receipt of incapacity benefit and (iv) have had applications for incapacity benefit turned down in 1996. [9751] Mr. Moss: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Alec Wylie to Dr. Joe Hendron, dated 20 December 1996: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance. I have attached a table showing the number of people in the Belfast West constituency who are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance. Unfortunately, figures are not available for either benefit for the number of applicants who have been turned down in 1996. I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require. Number of people in the Belfast west constituency in receipt of incapacity benefit and disability living allowance _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Benefit Number of recipients August 1996 DLA 10,263 IB 6,350 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Based on 1991 population census.

Date

13 January 1997

Reference

9751; 288 c55-6W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office;Social Security Agency

How many people registered for job seekers allowance on 7th October at each social security agency covering the constituency of South Down; and of these how many were considered eligible; how many people were in receipt of unemployment benefit on 4 October at each social security agency covering the constituency...

Asked by

Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

3 December 1996

Reference

286 c630-1W;286 c628-9W; 6395;6396

House

House of Commons

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