Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
449. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the existence of extenuating circumstances in the form of a serious illness will be taken into consideration as an admissible explanation for their absence from this jurisdiction and retention of their deserted wives benefit ion the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4326/13]
View answerIn line with scheme requirements, claimant’s means are regularly reviewed to ensure that their circumstances have not changed and that they continue to have legitimate entitlement. In this particular case, I understand that a review process was underway when the claimant advised the Department in June, 2012 that she required her payment to be made into a bank account as she was going abroad to care for an ill relative. The review undertaken and the termination of her claim was not connected with her need to care for the ill relative abroad: her payment was suspended in July because she failed to reply to the Department’s correspondence.
The person concerned was interviewed at home by a Social Welfare Inspector in September, 2012 and was requested to provide certain documentation in support of her continued entitlement. This was not provided and she was written to again in November and advised that failure to supply all the information sought would cause the termination of her claim. As all the documentation requested was not received, the customer was advised in December, 2012 of the decision to terminate her payment. She was also advised of the right to appeal this decision.
