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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2001

Vol. 537 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

434 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will instruct his Department to notify recipients of invalidity pension, disability allowance, blind persons' pensions and unemployment supplement that they may now be entitled to a living alone allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16959/01]

The living alone allowance is a weekly payment of £6 per week made to people receiving certain social welfare payments who are residing alone. The scheme, which normally applied to people aged 66 years of age or over, was extended, with effect from 4 April 2001, to persons who are receiving disability allowance, invalidity pension, blind person's pension or unemployability supplement.

A number of measures have already been undertaken by my Department to ensure that recipients of these payments are made fully aware of their potential entitlement to this allowance.

The extension of the living alone allowance to these recipients was advertised in all provincial, national, daily and Sunday papers in the week commencing 6 April. A freephone number was also provided from 9 April to 12 April 2001, whereby customers could obtain further information concerning this allowance.

All recipients of blind person's pension and unemployability supplement were written to directly and advised of their potential entitlement to the living alone allowance.

All disability allowance recipients who are paid through the post office were notified of the living alone allowance in their new personalised payable order books with effect from April 2001.

All invalidity pension recipients who are paid through the post office will be notified of the allowance in their new personalised payable order books which will issue from 2 August 2001.

Recipients of disability allowance and invalidity pension who are paid by electronic fund transfer will in the next few weeks receive a direct mailshot. This will include details on the qualifying conditions for the allowance and advice on how to apply.

Details of all social welfare budget changes, including those to the living alone allowance, were advertised on Aertel.

In the case of new claimants of disability allowance, invalidity pension, blind person's pension and unemployability supplement, their entitlement to living alone allowance will be examined in conjunction with their primary claim entitlement.

As of 1 June 2001, just under 7,000 new applications for the living alone allowance have been received. In addition, anyone submitting a late claim for this allowance will have their payment backdated to 4 April 2001 or to the date of their primary claim entitlement as appropriate.

I am satisfied that the measures which have been put in place by my Department will ensure that eligible persons are made fully aware of their possible entitlement to living alone allowance.

Michael Ring

Question:

435 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid a one parent family allowance. [17066/01]

The entitlement of the person concerned to one-parent family payment is under investigation and certain inquiries have had to be made by a local officer of the Department. As soon as these inquiries are completed, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.

Michael Ring

Question:

436 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a medical examination to appeal his claim for disability allowance and invalidity pension. [17067/01]

The person concerned, who is currently in receipt of unemployment assistance, applied for disability allowance on 16 February 2001. He was medically examined on 1 May 2001. He did not fulfil the medical criteria for receipt of disability allowance. He was advised of this decision and the reasons for it on 14 May 2001.

He also applied for invalidity pension on 27 February 2001. Invalidity pension is a payment made to persons who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions and who are regarded as permanently incapable of work. He did not satisfy the medical conditions for eligibility for invalidity pension and his application was refused on 22 May 2001.

On foot of his appeal against these decisions he has been referred for a further medical examination and arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical assessor. He will be notified of this examination as soon as the necessary arrangements are in place. His entitlement to disability allowance or invalidity pension will be further considered in the light of this examination.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring

Question:

437 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid a carer's allowance. [17068/01]

The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 1 March 2001. She is currently in receipt of unemployment benefit.

Her application has been referred to an investigative officer of my Department for a means assessment and to confirm that the conditions for receipt of carers allowance are being fulfilled. Her entitlement will be further examined in light of the investigative officer's report.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

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