Written Answers Nos. 46-52
48. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal against the disallowance of an application for invalidity benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [47617/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 October 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.
49. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who recently completed a Tús course was only awarded jobseeker's allowance for two days a week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47634/14]
View answerThe person concerned participated in a TÚS programme for the period 4 November 2013 to 1 November 2014 and was paid on that programme up to 1 November 2014. He applied for Jobseeker's Allowance from 3 of November 2014 and payment of €62.70 jobseekers allowance issued on 6 November 2014 for week ending 4 November 2014. The appropriate number of days for which Jobseeker's Allowance was due in this instance was two days for week ending 4 November 2014 and the person concerned has been paid at the appropriate weekly rate of €188.00 thereafter.
50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate entitlement to disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47639/14]
View answerNo application for disability allowance has been made to date by the person concerned.
An application form for disability allowance issued today to the person concerned. He should complete the application form and return it in the envelope provided. Upon the receipt of his application, his entitlement to a disability allowance payment will be examined.
51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when mortgage support may be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47648/14]
View answerAccording to the records of this Department the person concerned did not make an application for a mortgage supplement. In August 2014 the person concerned applied for and was refused rent supplement as she was deemed not to meet the eligibility criteria for this support. Should the circumstances of the person concerned have changed, it is open to her to submit a fresh application rent supplement to her local Community Welfare Service. In cases whereby a decision to refuse a rent supplement is made, the decision may be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if all relevant documentation has been received in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47654/14]
View answerWhile the client concerned returned some of the documentation requested by the Department on 21 November 2014, a request for remaining outstanding documentation was issued by the Department on 3rd December 2014 and again on 10 December 2014, and has not been received to date. On receipt of this information the client's entitlement to Rent Supplement can be assessed.
