Written Answers Nos. 145 - 154
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 28 March 2013, wherein it was indicated that she vacated accommodation provided under the RAS without good cause given the herewith attached documentation to the contrary in the case of a person (details supplied) [18136/13]
View answerAs per previous PQ (15901/13) Rent Supplement is not payable where accommodation provided by a housing authority is vacated without good cause. The person concerned has not provided any further documentation regarding the reasons for leaving her previous accommodation provided by a housing authority, or that she has a current Housing Needs Assessment. The person concerned has submitted an appeal to the Appeals Office and there has been no decision made on the appeal to date.
146. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection if all financial brokers who are independently regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and who carry professional indemnity insurance will be eligible as operators of his new scheme for assisting persons in mortgage arrears. [18174/13]
View answerThe Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service was established to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to assist people in mortgage distress.
The approach differentiates between mortgage information and mortgage advice. The first two elements involve the enhancement of the website www.keepingyourhome.ie and the establishment of a Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline within the Citizens Information Board both of which focus on the provision of comprehensive mortgage arrears information in particular to people in arrears or pre-arrears.
The third element of the service is the provision of independent financial advice to mortgage holders who are being presented with long term mortgage resolution proposals by their lenders. This advice is provided by a panel of accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland who have agreed to participate and support this independent service. This panel is available on a county by county basis on the website www.keepingyourhome.ie.
When a lender is proposing longer-term mortgage resolutions, the lender advises the borrower to obtain independent financial advice on the proposed arrangement and that, if the borrower wishes to avail of this option, that the lender will pay €250 to an accountant of the borrower’s choosing for the provision of this advice.
The advisory framework has commenced with practicing accountants because they already operate within a regulatory regime which includes qualitative oversight by their regulating bodies and in these circumstances it was possible to establish the advisory framework for people with mortgage distress within a relatively short timeframe.
There is nothing to inhibit other financial intermediaries from continuing to give advice on mortgages as required by borrowers. While the advisory framework will be monitored on an on-going basis, it is not intended to conduct a full review of the service before the due date of June 2013. The review will be undertaken to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and will encompass all aspects of the service including if participation is extended to other interested parties, the criteria that would be required in terms of relevant qualifications, experience, independence, professional indemnity insurance, etc.
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the appropriate level of rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18185/13]
View answerFollowing a statutory means assessment, supplementary welfare allowance (rent supplement) was awarded to the person concerned at €508.86 per calendar month with effect from January 2013.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 08th April 2013. 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 16th April 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.
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position in regard to entitlement of family income supplement in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18186/13]
View answerThe Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment is designed to provide cash income for employees with families who are on low earnings. The family concerned have been in receipt of FIS since 21 April 2011. Their latest renewal claim has been awarded, without delay, from 18 April 2013.
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an award of partial rent support is available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18187/13]
View answerThe person concerned submitted their original application in December 2011. Their application was refused on that date as their partner was working full time, according to the documentation supplied. If their circumstances have changed the person concerned can submit a new application with supporting documentation.
150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full entitlement in respect of jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18188/13]
View answerThe person concerned is under 22 years of age and is in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance payment of €100 per week. This is the maximum amount payable under this scheme for a person aged between 18 and 22.
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of any arrears payable in respect of carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18189/13]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 21st November 2012. This application was approved on the 26th March 2013 and a letter issued to the person concerned notifying them of the decision and that carer’s allowance would be put into payment from the 18th of April 2013. The person in question was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) throughout this period pending a decision on her carer’s allowance application. Once the amount of SWA paid is confirmed, this will be deducted from the total amount due during this period and any outstanding arrears balance paid directly to the person concerned.
152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position on a parliamentary question reply wherein it was indicated that an exceptional needs payment has been made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare [18190/13]
View answerAn exceptional needs payment was approved on 10 January 2013 as advised in the written reply on the 21 February 2013 to Parliamentary Question reference number 9460-13. The records of the Department indicate that this payment was made to the person concerned.
It was further advised in the written reply on the 26 March 2013 to Parliamentary Question reference number 14931-13 that the person concerned could make an application for an exceptional needs payment and any such application would be considered based on his circumstances.
The person concerned submitted an application for an exceptional needs payment on 08 April 2013. This application was refused. The person concerned may request a review of this decision.
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent support will be paid in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18191/13]
View answerA Rent Supplement application was received from the person concerned on 3rd April 2013. On that date a means test was performed on the family and it was found that with their combined incomes there was no entitlement to Rent Supplement. At present the person concerned does not have an entitlement to Rent Supplement at their current address. The person concerned was informed of this over the phone and in writing. If their circumstances change the person concerned can submit a new application with supporting documentation.
154. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18212/13]
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.
