Ruth Coppinger
Question:50. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to reintroduce the cost of education allowance for back to education allowance students. [32407/15]
View answerSocial Welfare Schemes
Questions (50)
Written answers
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is designed to support second chance education. It enables social welfare customers in receipt of certain payments to pursue full-time education courses and to continue to receive income support in the form of an allowance. The BTEA is paid for the duration of the course of study, subject to the customer continuing to meet the conditions of the allowance and remaining eligible for a DSP payment. The allowance is paid weekly and replaces the customer’s qualifying payment. In general, most customers will also have certain registration and related college fees paid by SUSI.
The operation of the BTEA has been comprehensively revised over the past two years and I have no plans to further revise the current arrangements. Some €150 million has been provided in 2015 to meet the cost of allowances paid by the Department of Social Protection which represents a considerable investment in supporting some 23,000 customers in the past year to acquire skills to re-enter the labour market.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Applications
Questions (51)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:51. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding long-term illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32410/15]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned is currently in receipt of the maximum personal rate of disability allowance (DA) and this rate has not changed since October 2013. If the circumstances of the person in question have changed, he should contact the Department as soon as possible so his entitlement may be reviewed.
Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
Questions (52)
Bernard Durkan
Question:52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when rent allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if any documentation remains outstanding in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32415/15]
View answerWritten answers
The additional information that was sought from the person concerned has now been provided. Consequently all payments of rent supplement that are due to the person concerned have been processed and will now be issued.
Carer's Allowance Eligibility
Questions (53)
Denis Naughten
Question:53. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to allow discretion on the 15-hour week employment exemption under the carer's allowance scheme where it has no impact on the level of care provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32420/15]
View answerWritten answers
A key qualifying condition for the payment of carer’s allowance is that the person receiving care is medically assessed as needing care on a full-time basis, while a person in receipt of carer’s allowance can engage in employment, self-employment, training or education outside the home for up to 15 hours per week and still qualify for the payment.
I am satisfied that this strikes a reasonable balance which allows the carer to engage in activity outside the caring environment while still satisfying the need to provide care and attention on a full time basis, and so I have no plans to make any changes in this area.
Disability Allowance Payments
Questions (54)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:54. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in respect of a disability allowance claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32430/15]
View answerWritten answers
Disability allowance arrears issued to the person in question by his chosen payment method on 21 September 2015.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Questions (55)
John O'Mahony
Question:55. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32436/15]
View answerWritten answers
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on the 8 September 2015. The claim will be processed as quickly as possible and the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Questions (56)
Pat Breen
Question:56. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been refused payment of carer's allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32473/15]
View answerWritten answers
I confirm that on 19 August 2014 the department received from the person concerned an application for carer’s allowance (CA) in respect of two care recipients. The application was refused in respect of both care recipients on the grounds that person concerned was self-employed outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.
He was notified on 5 March 2015 of these decisions, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. The person concerned has appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). All the necessary papers have recently been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. The SWAO will be in touch with the person concerned in relation to the progress of the appeal.