Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2011
97 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of the entitlement to rent support will take place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28069/11]
View answerThe answer remains as previously advised in Question Number 71 which I provided to the Deputy on 21st September 2011. I have been advised that on 24th May 2011, the designated Appeals Officer upheld the decision of the Community Welfare Officer not to award a rent supplement to the person concerned on the grounds that the rent payable was in excess of the prescribed limit for a single person.
98 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28071/11]
View answerThe decision to reduce the rent supplement payment to the person concerned was upheld by the designated Appeals Officer. The person concerned has now appealed the decision to the Chief Appeals Office. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the appeal in due course.
99 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 409 of 14 September and 202 of 27 of September 2011, if any clarification has been sought as to whether carer’s allowance was actually awarded and or paid to a person or persons who legitimately provided the care in accordance to the regulations and guidelines laid down for the carer’s allowance scheme; the efforts if any made to ascertain the veracity of the claim; if normal procedures were adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28075/11]
View answerAs previously outlined, decisions in respect of all carer's allowance claims are based on the relevant legislation in the Social Welfare Acts.
Regarding your question about the validity of a specific application for carer's allowance, my department is endeavouring to identify the application in question from the details supplied so that a review can be carried out. If it transpires upon review that a claim was paid incorrectly the Department will take appropriate action.
100 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 has to wait 12 to 18 months for a review of their application for disability allowance with her appeals department; and if she will expedite the application. [28084/11]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officers decision on 27 Jun 2011.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. If there is any new evidence or new facts pertinent to this case that was not brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer during the determination of this appeal, they may be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for further consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
