Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Social Welfare Officers who cannot do basic maths

  • 26-11-2013 3:06pm
    #1
    myshirt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,245 ✭✭✭


    I spoke to the FIS Section this morning in respect of a neighbour of mine who was surprised with the amount of FIS she had been allocated.

    I reviewed her documents, and it is clear that the FIS officer:

    1. Firstly, added into the assessment €200 back pay given in January 2013, as the business was short in December 2012
    2. Secondly, that the FIS officer calculated her weekly wages by dividing the monthly by 4, and thirdly, which was the most sinful of them all
    3. That the FIS officer used the gross rather than net.

    The lady earns a fixed salary, with payslips that demonstrate the same wage month on month, aside from January 2013, where there is an extra €200 gross, and this is itemised on the payslip. (in relation to accrued wages from 2012 as the business could not afford)

    Surely a quick conversation should tidy this up you would think?

    No.

    The FIS officer is adamant that she is 100% correct, particularly in relation to calculating average weekly assessable earnings by diving monthly by 4. She has 'years of experience'.
    I looked up the payscales for these people, and I nearly dropped.

    What avenues of recourse are there? Can anyone help? The critical focus is the impact on my neighbour. I really feel for her as she is a shy girl, with little fight in her. I want to ensure she is not prejudiced by poor quality work here, and that the matter is remedied. I spoke to a friend of mine who volunteers household budgeting classes with SVP and he said this wouldn't be the first time he has heard of it in respect of social welfare officers and basic maths.

    Anecdotal evidence maybe... but nonetheless... shocking.

    The net effect for my neighbour is that she is €32.00 a week down! That is not peanuts.


Comments

  • #2
    Sam Kade
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,313 ✭✭✭✭Sam Kade


    They always make mistakes that end up in their favour, that's another €32 weekly saving for the state ;)


  • #3
    cee_jay
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,920 ✭✭✭cee_jay


    This thread has been closed. This is not a forum for taking pot shots at and criticising the staff of government departments. Please read the forum charter.
    OP, perhaps if you would like to rephrase your query (omitting the snide comments about staff not being able to do basic maths and questioning their pay, and "anecdotal evidence") you might get more helpful replies. If you can do this, you are free to open a new thread.


This discussion has been closed.
Advertisement