Frank Feighan
Question:36. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the back to school clothing and footwear allowance ceased for children attending third level education. [46710/14]
View answerBack to Education Allowance Eligibility
Questions (36)
Written answers
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme is a non-statutory scheme which provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of school clothing and footwear when children start school each autumn. The total budget provision for the scheme for 2014 is €46.3 million.
Since 2012 successive Budget amendments have further aligned the scheme with the Irish education system. In 2014 payment of the allowance was restricted to persons aged over 18 years and attending secondary school. Children over the age of 18 years attending third level education who previously qualified for payment of BSCFA would generally be eligible for third level student grants.
Families on low incomes can avail of a number of supports that provide financial assistance towards children who are in full-time education until the age of 22, including through the payment of qualified child increases (QCIs) on primary social welfare payments and through the family income supplement (FIS).
Question No. 37 withdrawn.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
Questions (38)
Noel Coonan
Question:38. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for domiciliary care allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46557/14]
View answerWritten answers
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 11th November 2014. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the person concerned. It can currently take 10 weeks to process an application for DCA.
One-Parent Family Payment Applications
Questions (39)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:39. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for one-parent family payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 was not backdated to the date of the original application; and if this backdated pay will be awarded. [46560/14]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned has been in receipt of One Parent Family payment since November 2011. In January 2014 she was assessed with means arising from her engagement in employment, however, she recently advised of a reduction in the number of hours that she worked. Accordingly a revision of her means was carried out and an increased rate has been awarded.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that backdated payment, arising from a change in the client’s means will be paid to the client on Thursday 11th December 2014.
Questions Nos. 40 and 41 withdrawn.
Invalidity Pension Appeals
Questions (42)
Barry Cowen
Question:42. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an appeal for invalidity pension. [46589/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, has allowed the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned has been notified of the 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.