Written Answers Nos. 101 - 107
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when jobseeker's allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17208/14]
View answerThe person concerned does not have a current pending application for jobseeker’s allowance registered with this Department. A previous application dated 18 December 2013 was disallowed on the basis that the person concerned did not show that her means were not in excess of the prescribed limit for a person of her circumstances. She did not appeal the decision. It is open to the person concerned to submit a fresh application is she feels she meets the criteria for receipt of this income support.
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent support will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17209/14]
View answerA rent supplement application has not been received by the appropriate Unit of the Department in respect of the client concerned. Should the client wish to apply for rent supplement in County Kildare she should complete an application form and return it to the Mid Leinster Rents Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24.
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to increasing rent allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17210/14]
View answerThe purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
Following an extensive review of the private rental market new revised rent limits were introduced and came into effect on 17 June 2013, consequently, clients with rents over these limits, are expected to bring their rent within these statutory limits or source alternative accommodation.
In this case, the client has been provided with in excess of the statutory requirement of 13 weeks to bring her rent within the set limit applicable to her circumstances, or source alternative accommodation. Should the client be successful in re-negotiating a reduced rent or in securing alternative accommodation within this limit she should immediately inform the Department in order to maintain her entitlement to rent supplement.
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker's allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17211/14]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application for jobseeker’s allowance with effect from 25 February 2014. Her application was awarded and the first payment was available for collection at her nominated post office on 11 March 2014. The claim is currently in payment at the appropriate rate for a person of her circumstances.
105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an increase in rent allowance will be available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17212/14]
View answerDepartmental records show that the current tenancy agreement of the client in question is in place until the 31st July 2014. No information or requests regarding a rent increase has been received by the Department. Should information be supplied a reassessment can be carried out.
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is anxious to access the workforce, is currently in receipt of one parent family allowance and living in rent assisted accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17213/14]
View answerThe person concerned has been referred to the Educational Training Board for further training following an initial meeting with a case officer on 13 February 2014. She was also referred for Community Employment but was unsuccessful in obtaining a placement. The person concerned will also be notified shortly of an appointment to be scheduled with Employment Services, Maynooth, to review her situation and discuss progression options.
107. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath against the decision to disallow a claim for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17232/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 10th January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question 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 appeal 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
