Written Answers Nos. 119-127
119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of farm assist during each month since January 2012 to date in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52320/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons in receipt of farm assist at the end of each month since January 2012 to date in 2013 is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
Number of Recipients of Farm Assist, 2012 and 2013 to date.
2012
|
Month |
Number of Recipients |
|
January |
11,351 |
|
February |
11,364 |
|
March |
11,346 |
|
April |
11,158 |
|
May |
11,154 |
|
June |
11,137 |
|
July |
11,137 |
|
August |
11,138 |
|
September |
11,092 |
|
October |
11,134 |
|
November |
11,137 |
|
December |
11,162 |
2013
|
Month |
Number of Recipients |
|
January |
11,207 |
|
February |
11,177 |
|
March |
11,100 |
|
April |
10,867 |
|
May |
10,785 |
|
June |
10,726 |
|
July |
10,655 |
|
August |
10,601 |
|
September |
10,316 |
|
October |
10,260 |
|
November |
10,247 |
120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has had his medical appliance benefit claim refused on the basis he does not have the necessary contribution record; if same will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52341/13]
View answerEligibility for treatment benefit (including medical appliances) is based on a person’s PRSI record. A claimant must have at least 260 reckonable PRSI contributions paid since first starting work, and 39 such contributions paid or credited in a relevant tax year.
Only PRSI paid at classes A, E, H, or P count towards benefit.
While the person concerned has a full PRSI record, these contributions were paid at class D, reduced-rate public sector PRSI contributions which do not count towards treatment benefit, as a result the person concerned does not qualify.
If the person concerned has a Medical Card, he should contact his local health service executive office, which can provide information about medical appliances available through the HSE scheme.
121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 28 November 2013, the way a person who is on a back to work self-employment scheme can become eligible for rent supplement; her views on whether each condition makes it impossible to comply with the other; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52345/13]
View answerFurther to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 28 November 2013, a person who is in receipt of rent supplement who commences the back to work enterprise allowance may retain entitlement to rent supplement, subject to the means test, if they are deemed as eligible for the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) by a housing authority. The back to work enterprise allowance scheme is designed to encourage people who are dependent on certain social welfare payments to engage in self-employment while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years.
A new applicant for rent supplement who is participating on the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme would not qualify for rent supplement.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was in receipt of payment prior to moving to new accommodation but who is now in arrears due to delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52383/13]
View answerThis client made an application for rent supplement on 24 October 2013. The Department is awaiting information required to determine eligibility that was requested on two occasions, most recently on 2 December 2013. A full assessment will take place on receipt of the information.
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when any arrears of jobseeker's allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52384/13]
View answerThe person concerned informed Blanchardstown Intreo Office that he would be absent from the country for 4 weeks from 24 September to 21 October 2013. As is normal procedure, his payments of jobseeker’s allowance were suspended pending him contacting the office upon his return. After 4 weeks, when the person concerned did not present himself at the office, his claim was closed. He next presented at the office on 6 November 2013, more than 6 weeks later, and a new claim has been awarded from that date. Given the duration of his absence from the State, no arrears are payable to him.
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the appropriate level of rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52385/13]
View answerThe household composition in the case of the person concerned is that of three adults and one child. Each of the adults in the household is in receipt of a social welfare payment. The minimum combined contributions to the rent of the person concerned and the liable adults residing as provided for in the regulations is €92.00 per week or €398.60 per month.
The monthly rent payable in this case is €900.00. The minimum monthly contribution is deducted from the monthly rent giving a rent supplement entitlement of €501.40 per month. This is the correct level of rent support payable in this case according to the information available to this department.
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when mortgage interest support will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52386/13]
View answerThe person concerned re-applied for mortgage interest supplement on 9 October 2013. On 23 October 2013 he was requested to furnish supporting documentation.
While some documentation required has been received, a letter requesting the outstanding information issued on 28th November 2013. A decision on eligibility will be made when all the necessary documentation is received.
126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct jobseeker's allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52387/13]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in receipt of a weekly illness benefit payment at a reduced rate and a top-up supplementary welfare allowance payment. His total payment is equivalent to the maximum weekly personal rate of supplementary welfare allowance payable less a deduction of €10 regarding an overpayment on illness benefit payment.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct jobseeker's allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52388/13]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance payment at the weekly rate of €223.40 which comprises:
|
Allowance |
Rate |
|
Personal rate |
€188.00 |
|
Increase for Qualified Adult |
€124.80 |
|
Increase for 2 Qualified Children |
€59.60 |
|
Sub Total |
€372.40 |
|
Less means from spousal employment |
€149.00 |
|
Total Weekly Payment |
€223.40 |
This is the correct level of jobseeker’s allowance according to the information available to this department. The person concerned can request a review of means if his circumstances have recently.
