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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 May 2012

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Questions (92, 93, 94, 95, 96)

James Bannon

Question:

95 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (detail supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23236/12]

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Written answers

Medical evidence supplied in support of the person's application was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the application was refused. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 27 November 2011. Further medical evidence was subsequently received and has been referred to a medical assessor. When the medical assessor's opinion is received the deciding officer will review the claim and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the decision in due course.

James Bannon

Question:

96 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23237/12]

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I confirm that an application for carer's allowance was received from the person concerned. While the medical evidence submitted with her application did not satisfy the medical criteria for receipt of carer's allowance, additional medical evidence was received and forwarded to the medical assessor for further consideration. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her claim a decision will be made and the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.

James Bannon

Question:

97 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23238/12]

View answer

The person concerned is currently in receipt of carer's allowance in respect of one care recipient. She was refused carer's allowance in respect of a second care recipient on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. On 28 October 2010, she was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review or appeal within 21 days. Further medical evidence was submitted on 17th January 2011 and 2nd February 2011 in support of her case. However, this information did not alter the opinion of the medical assessor and consequently the deciding officer's decision remained unchanged. On 16 March 2011, she was notified accordingly. There is no record of an appeal against that decision.

On 15 February 2012, you submitted further medical evidence on behalf of the second care recipient's medical condition.In view of the lapse of time since the initial decision, this medical evidence is being taken as an indication of a wish to make a new application for an increase in carer's allowance in respect of a second care recipient.Accordingly a fresh application form and return envelope issued to her on 5 May 2012.On receipt of the form, duly completed, the application will be assessed as soon as possible and the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.

James Bannon

Question:

98 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in CountyLongford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23239/12]

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I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the person concerned. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person will be notified directly of the outcome. Customers who have urgent income support needs while awaiting a decision on their primary social welfare claim can apply for the means tested supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) from their local Community Welfare Officer.

James Bannon

Question:

99 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding children’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23240/12]

View answer

Under EU Regulations the country of employment is competent to award child benefit even though the family may reside in another EU member state. The spouse of the person concerned is employed in the United Kingdom. She herself is not employed. Therefore, the United Kingdom is the competent state to award family benefits and this Department considers entitlement to a Family Benefit Supplement payment. A supplement payment is the difference in the total amount of family benefits payable in the UK (Child Benefit + Child Tax Credit) and Ireland (Child Benefit). In order to establish entitlement to a Family Benefit supplement payment, UK Child Tax Credit Notices are required for the tax years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. Correspondence has issued requesting these. When this information is received, entitlement to Family Benefit supplement payment from 1 January 2012 will be established and the customer will be notified accordingly.

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