Written Answers Nos. 365-87
365. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6716/13]
View answerThe person concerned is in full-time education and is therefore unavailable for full-time employment. As such he does not meet the criteria to qualify for a jobseeker’s payment or any other financial support from my Department.
367. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm the entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
View answerThe person concerned is in full-time education and is therefore unavailable for full-time employment. As such he does not meet the criteria to qualify for a jobseeker’s payment or any other financial support from my Department.
369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in determination of an appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when a decision on this case decision is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6797/13]
View answerThis department received a claim for invalidity pension from the person concerned on 30 March 2012. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of his claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion, based on the evidence provided, that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 7 June 2012.
The person concerned appealed the decision and submitted further medical evidence with his appeal. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. His file and all relevant papers are being sent to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.
370. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department is paying rent allowance to the residents of a property (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if so, if the landlord is registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6798/13]
View answerWhile the Department is willing to assist the Deputy in relation to an individual customer’s social welfare entitlement, it is not in a position to disclose this type of personal information. The Department works closely with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), which operates under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, to help ensure that rent supplement tenancies comply with the statutory system of tenancy regulation and safeguards. The Department advises the PRTB of all new rent supplemented tenancies to assist them in implementing tenancy regulations and co-operates in any initiatives taken by the PRTB to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act.
Specific queries in relation to registration compliance by landlords with the PRTB are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government.
372. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received an appeal for a respite care grant in respect of a person (details supplied); when the appeal will be answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6863/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that no appeal has been received by that office in respect of the person concerned. 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.
373. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6880/13]
View answerThis application for carer's allowance for the person concerned was awarded on the 23rd of August 2012 at the rate of €151.30 per week from 13th of October 2011. The person in question was assessed with weekly means of €89.10 per week. The person concerned has appealed this decision. All relevant papers have been prepared and will be sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) today. The SWAO, in due course, will be in touch with the person in question regarding the progress of the appeal.
375. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a decision on an appeal for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6889/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 27th November 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
377. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6897/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th June 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 04th February 2013 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
378. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment of disability allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6899/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 22nd January 2013, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
379. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the additional community employment scheme places announced in Budget 2013 are to be allocated to existing schemes or if they may be used to create new schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7039/13]
View answerExisting CE schemes can benefit from the additional CE places announced in Budget 2013. Schemes may apply for additional places in the normal way to their local Social Welfare Office. This can be done at the project roll-over date. The rationale and target group for the additional places should be detailed in the application submitted. Projects that are in mid-term can also make a submission to the local office by completing an application for additional places with details of the added-value to jobseekers in the area and to the work of the scheme. This process has already commenced nationally.
The additional CE places can also be used to create a new scheme. All proposals for new CE schemes should be sent to the local Community Services Unit of the Department setting out their project plan. There is an opportunity here to encourage innovation, new approaches and models of delivery from organisations who are experienced in addressing the needs of long-term unemployed. Approximately 100 places will be reserved for such proposals. However, this will be reviewed on the basis of the quality of applications received.
381. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7056/13]
View answerThe husband of the person concerned was informed by my Department in June 2012 that he and his family would have to source alternative accommodation as his rent payable was above the limit, as set in legislation, of €900 for his family size. Their appropriate accommodation need, having regard to family size and circumstances, is deemed to be a 3 bedroomed house, many of which are available in this area at the required limit. Despite being afforded ample time to find alternative accommodation, this family appears to have refused offers of 3 bedroomed houses from the local agent as their preference is for a 4 bedroomed house.
Despite representations from my Department, the present landlord has refused to the reduce the rent for the family’s present accommodation to the required limit for rent allowance, and on 8th January 2013 gave the family one month’s notice to leave his property. However, in an effort to facilitate this family as far as possible and prevent any possibility of homelessness, we have come to an arrangement with their landlord whereby if they find alternative accommodation at the required limit by March, my Department will pay the arrears due to the landlord for January and February. We have been as flexible as we can be with this family, and given them ample time to resolve their accommodation difficulties.
382. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [7057/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer decision.
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.
383. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7061/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 28th December 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
384. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7063/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17th January 2013, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
