Vol. 423 No. 8
217 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the decision to refuse supplementary welfare assistance towards the cost of home heating to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 who suffers from multiple sclerosis.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme the determination of applications for assistance is a matter for each health board.
In this case the person, who lives with her husband, who is unemployed, applied to the Eastern Health Board for assistance towards the cost of installing central heating. The application was refused and the decision was upheld on appeal. However, the appellant was advised that if there were any changes in her circumstances she should contact her local community welfare officer and the matter would be re-examined.
218 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of children, in respect of each health board area for 1991, of lone parents in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance or equivalent rate.
Health Boards do not maintain statistical records in such a way as to provide the information requested by the Deputy.
219 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing a decision on an application for a carer's allowance following an oral hearing in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person's application for Carer's Allowance was disallowed on the grounds that her means were in excess of the statutory limit. She appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and an oral hearing of her appeal was arranged for 25 June 1992. She subsequently supplied further documentary evidence on which the Appeals Officer sought a supplementary report from the local Social Welfare Investigator.
Arising from further inquiries to clarify aspects of the means assessment the Appeals Officer decided that the person is entitled to Carer's Allowance at the rate of £4.50 with effect from 30 July 1992. The person concerned has been notified of the decision.
220 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the means assessed against a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 whose common law wife has a net income of £37 after deductions for mortgage repayments and credit union loans and whose only alternative will be to go to a moneylender.
The person concerned claimed Unemployment Assistance on 30 September 1992 and following investigation a Deciding Officer assessed his weekly means at £65.50. The means are derived from the benefit of his partner's income.
His partner's gross income was established as being in excess of £248 a week. The usual mandatory deductions (some £73) relating to tax, union dues etc. and the standard £45 allowance applicable across all similar claims were made. The Deciding Officer held that other expenses incurred are not allowable as deductions for means purposes. Half of the remaining net income was assessed against the applicant.
As his resulting means assessment was equivalent to the maximum weekly rate of Unemployment Assistance applicable in his case, the applicant is not entitled to payment of Unemployment Assistance.
He has appealed against this decision and his case has been referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for consideration.
