Written Answers Nos. 118 - 125
118. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered revising the habitual residence requirement for carers to provide more flexibility to those in receipt of the carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25131/14]
View answerThe habitual residence condition helps protect Ireland's social welfare system, while at the same time ensuring that those whose claims have access to it when they need it.
Provided the applicant for a carer’s allowance is legally resident in the State, a decision on whether the applicant satisfies the conditions in respect of habitual residence is made based on consideration of five factors: length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country; length and purpose of any absence from the State; nature and pattern of person’s employment; the person’s main centre of interest and future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances.
While I have no plans to change the legislation applying to habitual residence and carer’s allowance at this time, the Department has, following consultation with carers’ representative groups, clarified the application of the guidelines with the relevant deciding officers and ensured that deciding officers have access to the most up to date guidelines and receive appropriate training in assessing the habitual residence condition.
In this regard, I would point out that less than 120 carer’s allowance cases were refused on habitual residence grounds in 2013 - down almost 50% on the 2011 figure of 223.
120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when one-parent family and child benefit payments will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25175/14]
View answerIn relation to the one parent family payment of the person concerned, there has been no recent contact concerning her current address. It is necessary for her to contact her local social welfare office with documentary proof of address and a review of her claim will be undertaken as soon as possible.
With respect to her child benefit payment, all payments to the person concerned have issued to the nominated bank account up to and including May 2014. Payment due for June 2014 has been suspended pending confirmation of her address. When her current address is received in child benefit section her entitlement will be reviewed.
If the person concerned is currently homeless she should call to the homeless unit in Castle Street where her circumstances can be examined.
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review or provide for appeal in respect of refusal of carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25178/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has not been received by that office. The appeals office has forwarded a form to the person concerned requesting her to state the grounds for her appeal of the Department’s decision. On receipt of her reply the appeal will be opened and processed in the normal manner.
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.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker's allowance may be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare as the training course has concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25181/14]
View answerThe jobseekers allowance payment of the person concerned has been restored with payment available for collection at the nominated post office on 13 June.
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent supplement payable in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25185/14]
View answerThis client is in receipt of his full entitlement to rent supplement based on his current household circumstances and location.
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if provision will be made in respect of an upskilling course in health care, level 3 or as appropriate, in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25186/14]
View answerThe person concerned is currently in contact with Employment Services in Maynooth who are assisting with her action plan for employment. The client has recently been submitted for two community employment schemes by her case officer, and she is scheduled for interview this week in relation to one of these vacancies. Unfortunately there is not a suitable level 3 healthcare course available to her at this time.
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of arrears, if any, in respect of a period during which jobseeker's allowance was terminated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25189/14]
View answerThe payment of the client concerned was suspended from 6th May 2014 to 20th May 2014 due to a residency issue. On receipt of proof of address his payment was reinstated from a current date. If the client has further evidence regarding his residence status for the duration of the suspension he should bring it to the Departments attention for consideration.
