Michael Ring
Question:480 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment of the orphan's allowance. [11466/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
A claim for orphan's contributory allowance by the person concerned was refused by a deciding officer on 9 April 2002 on the grounds that the child is not an orphan within the meaning of the legislation. The person concerned was informed of this decision on 9 April 2002 and of his right of appeal. No appeal has yet been lodged. He is currently in receipt of a personal rate one parent family payment of €106.30 per week and a child dependant allowance increase of €38.60 in respect of his two children. He is also in receipt of a fuel allowance of €9.00. On the basis of the information available, he is also entitled to an additional dependent child allowance increase of €19.30 per week. Payment of the allowance will be made shortly.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims are made by statutorily appointed deciding officers and appeals officers. I have no role in making such decisions.
Michael Ring
Question:481 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the dependent child allowance for one child in their widow's contributory pension and their arrears in this regard. [11495/02]
Due to an oversight the renewal book for child dependant payment from 15 February 2002 for the person concerned did not issue to her post office. It has now issued and all arrears due to her have been paid. In addition, a cheque for the six weeks after death payment in respect of her deceased daughter was issued on 22 January and a further cheque in respect of bereavement grant will be issued shortly. My Department regrets the delay which occurred in this case.