Written Answers Nos. 107-114
107. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for mortgage interest supplement will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13339/13]
View answerThe person concerned made a claim in July 2012 for mortgage interest supplement which was disallowed because her means were deemed to be in excess of the amount of her mortgage interest payment. This decision was upheld by the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office in November 2012. If the person concerned has any new information in support of her application she should contact her local Community Welfare Officer as soon as possible in this regard.
108. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment of an invalidity pension appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13353/13]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 5 March 2013. 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.
109. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13372/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case on 27 March 2013. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.
110. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person [details supplied] in County Galway will receive a decision from the appeals office in relation to their claim for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13376/13]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 28 February 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.
111. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the total liability to the social insurance fund of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13416/13]
View answerPay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) is payable on all reckonable earnings. It is collected by the Revenue Commissioners via the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. Employers have a legal obligation to pay all PRSI liabilities due to the Social Insurance Fund of this Department. It should be noted that the Department’s Inspectors have the power to inspect records and in cases of non-compliance penalties can be imposed. It is not Departmental policy to disclose liability issues in relation to an individual employer.
112. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13419/13]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) in respect of this person was received on the 11th January 2013. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion, upon receipt of this opinion, a decision will issue to the customer.
113. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a reduction in a state non-contributory pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford on the grounds that their means are not as specified by the Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13425/13]
View answerThe customer is in receipt of a State pension non-contributory which is a means-tested payment. In line with scheme requirements, a claimant’s means are reviewed from time to time to ensure that their circumstances have not changed and that they continue to have legitimate entitlement.
A review was carried out in late 2012 of this customer’s entitlement. The means derived from the net yearly value of this customer’s income from her farm in Killoe, Co. Longford resulted in a reduction in her rate of pension. In assessing the value of capital, the first €20,000 of capital is disregarded. Therefore, the monies held jointly with her daughter had no effect on the assessment of her means. The customer was notified in writing of the decision to reduce her pension and of her right to appeal this decision.
