Michael Ring
Question:980 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for an old age non-contributory pension by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [1335/03]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The means of the person concerned are being re-examined in the light of additional information supplied by him. As soon as the necessary enquiries have been completed by a local officer of my Department, his old age pension entitlement will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome. Pending this, the person concerned continues to receive pension of €70.70 per week inclusive of living alone and fuel allowances.
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:981 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo had to pay for dental treatment. [1336/03]
To benefit under the dental benefit scheme, an insured worker must be treated by a dentist who has entered into an agreement with my Department to provide treatments under the scheme on a basis and at fees specified in the agreement. Under these arrangements, and with limited exceptions, treatments are provided to the patient either free of charge or at a reduced fee and the Department pays the balance of the cost directly to the dentist at the agreed rates.
There is no trace of an application for dental benefit in respect of the person concerned. In the circumstances, he may have been treated by a dentist who is not currently participating in the dental benefit scheme in which case he would not be entitled to benefit under the scheme.
If he requires more information or is in need of further dental treatment, he should contact my Department on LOCALL number 1890-400-400 prior to commencing treatment.
Michael Ring
Question:982 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being refused disability benefit despite overwhelming evidence submitted by their general practitioner, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and consultant rheumatologist which clearly show that this person is in pain. [1337/03]
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 25 March 1999. Payment was disallowed by a deciding officer from 9 August 2002 following an examination by a medical assessor who considered that he was capable of work.
The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and arising from this he was examined by another medical assessor who was also of the opinion that he was capable of work. The appeals officer considers that an oral hearing of the appeal is necessary. This will be arranged as soon as possible.
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:983 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be scheduled to finalise an FIS appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [1340/03]
The person concerned applied for family income supplement on 26 March 2002. On consideration of the report from the social welfare inspector, the deciding officer disallowed her claim on the grounds that she was not engaged in employment for at least 38 hours per fortnight as required by the scheme.
She appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and an appeals officer is of the opinion that an oral hearing is required. The person will be informed shortly of the arrangements for the hearing.
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:984 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons receiving farm assist who were reassessed in the past 12 months; the number of these persons who had their payment level reduced; and the number who had their payment level increased following assessment. [1342/03]
Michael Ring
Question:985 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of recipients of farm assist who have had their rate of payment reduced in the past 12 months; the number who have appealed their reduction; the number of these appeals which have been successful to date; the number of recipients of farm assist who have had their rate of payment increased in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1343/03]
Michael Ring
Question:986 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons currently in receipt of farm assist; the number who are in receipt of the maximum rate of payment; and the comparative figures for 2002. [1344/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 984, 985 and 986 together.
The farm assist scheme, which introduced special arrangements for farmers on low incomes, came into operation in April 1999. At present 8,496 farmers are benefiting under the scheme. The average weekly payment is €139.74.
In 2002, a total of 2,804 farm assist customers had their means reviewed. As a result of these reviews, 723 customers received an increase in their weekly payment and 1,104 had their rates reduced.
A total of 134 appeals in relation to farm assist were received by the social welfare appeals office in the period January to December 2002. Of this number, 36 had a favourable outcome at appeal and a further 24 had their means revised favourably by a deciding officer following the lodging of the appeal. In 59 cases, the appeals officer upheld the deciding officer's decision in relation to the means assessment. Ten customers withdrew their appeal and a decision is awaited in the remaining five cases.
Of the 8,496 farm assist customers currently receiving payment, a total of 535 were receiving the maximum rate of payment relative to their family size, i.e. there were no means assessed against them. This compares with 551 at the end of December 2001.
Questions Nos. 987 and 988 answered with Question No. 968.
Michael Ring
Question:989 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has made changes in rent supplement allowance; if she can legally now make the changes that she proposed for the rent supplement allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1347/03]
The recent changes in respect of rent supplements, were provided for by way of statutory instruments.
Statutory Instrument No. 527 of 2002 provided for the continuation until 31 December 2003 of the current levels of maximum rent, as determined by the health boards, in respect of which rent supplement is paid.
Statutory Instrument No. 630 of 2002 provided for an increase in the maximum amount of rent supplement payable to tenants in voluntary housing developments funded through the local authority capital assistance scheme, an increase from €10 to €23 in the amount of pension income disregarded for the purpose of rent and mortgage interest supplement and an increase, from €7.62 to €12.00, in the minimum contribution payable by a recipient of rent or mortgage interest supplement.