Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004
163 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the family income supplement payment to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be stopped, considering that although she is on sick leave she is still employed by the Civil Service and intends to return to work. [32896/04]
View answerAn application for family income supplement, FIS, was received by my Department from the person concerned on 22 April 2004. She was awarded FIS at a weekly rate of €45 for a 52 week period from 22 April 2004 to 20 April 2005.
A claim for disability benefit was made by the person concerned on 30 September 2004 and, as of 7 December, this claim was still in payment. Under regulations governing FIS, a person who is incapacitated may only receive disability benefit and FIS simultaneously for a maximum period of six weeks. In line with these regulations, this person's FIS was discontinued with effect from 2 December 2004. Her FIS payment will be immediately reinstated when the disability benefit claim ceases and she returns to work.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions regarding 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.
164 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 gets the maximum support and assistance with their query on rent supplement and that the matter is handled in a private and sensitive manner. [32928/04]
View answerThe supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the health boards, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible people who are unable to provide for their housing costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
The Northern Area Health Board has advised that the person concerned made inquiries regarding rent supplement at his local health centre. He was given the appropriate application forms and advised that he should apply to his local authority in the first instance to be assessed in respect of his housing needs. On receipt of the completed forms, and on the basis of the housing needs assessment, the board will determine his entitlement to rent supplement and notify him of the outcome.
Community welfare officers are trained to deal with applicants in a sensitive and fair manner and to treat as confidential all information received in the course of their investigations.
