Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012
337 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if back to school clothing allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10597/12]
View answerThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
The person concerned was refused a BSCFA payment as her application was received in December 2011 which is after the closing date for receipt of claims. It is open to the person concerned to seek a review of this decision.
338 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families currently in receipt of both family income supplement and carer’s allowance payments; and the savings anticipated as a result of the inclusion of carer’s payments for the purpose of calculating entitlement to FIS as introduced in the last budget. [10602/12]
View answerThere are currently 937 carer's allowance and benefit recipients whose spouse or partner is in receipt of FIS.
Budget 2012 contained a measure which provides for the assessment of carer's benefit and carer's allowance payments in determining entitlement to Family Income Supplement (FIS). This measure brings the treatment of these two payments for FIS purposes into line with the treatment of all other primary social welfare payments.
The measure will be implemented on a phased basis over three years. One third of the income from carer's allowance and carer's benefit payments will be assessed in 2012, two thirds in 2013 and the full amount in 2014.
This measure will result in estimated savings of €1 million in 2012, €3 million in 2013 and €5 in 2014.
