Written Answers Nos. 41-50
41. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the procedures for a person to qualify and to become employed as a registrar of marriages and/or as a civil solemniser; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32567/15]
View answerI understand the Deputy’s question relates to the categories of marriage solemniser on the Register of Solemnisers maintained by the Registrar-General. The Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended, provides for the categories of bodies and organisations which may apply for registration of persons on the Register of Solemnisers.
These are:
- The Health Service Executive for the registration of a registrar employed by the Executive;
- A religious body (as defined) for the registration of a member of that body; and
- A secular body (as defined) for the registration of a member of that body.
42. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an application for a disability allowance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who has submitted all relevant information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32476/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 6 August 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
Any person who is awaiting a decision on their DA application may apply for means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from their local community welfare officer.
43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cut-off point in respect of savings for qualification for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32482/15]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people with disabilities who require full-time care and attention and whose income falls below certain limits.
The cut-off point after which a person will not qualify for CA based on their savings alone is €168,000 for a single person and €336,000 if married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting.
44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent allowance will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32485/15]
View answerThe client concerned has been requested to provide the Department with an up to date Rent Supplement application form and lease agreement confirming any increase in monthly rent. On receipt of this documentation the client's rate of Rent Supplement entitlement can be assessed.
45. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears of a disability allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and the amount of same. [32487/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance (DA) from 17 June 2015. First payment issued on 26 August 2015. Arrears have been held so that an adjustment can be made in respect of an overlapping payment. Once the adjustment has been calculated and applied, any residual arrears due will be paid to the person in question.
46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason an overpayment occurred in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32488/15]
View answerThe person concerned had a claim for jobseekers allowance (JA) from 23/06/2006 to 02/6/2015. The person concerned was paid an adult dependant allowance increase on their JA claim in respect of their spouse from 2006.
Following an investigation and subsequent inspector report in March 2014, it was established that the person concerned had failed to disclose means from their spouse's employment which had commenced on 02/03/2009 and as a result an overpayment was assessed.
47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when arrears in respect of jobseeker's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32490/15]
View answerThe application for jobseeker’s allowance from the person concerned was disallowed on 15 September 2015 as he was deemed not to have satisfied the Habitual Residence Condition. The letter of notification advises that the person concerned has the right to appeal this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office, or request a review in light of new evidence that might be submitted.
48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an increase in rent allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who is at risk of homelessness in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32499/15]
View answerThe client concerned was requested to provide the Department with current payslips, a Rent Supplement application form and an up to date lease agreement confirming any increase in monthly rent on 26 March 2015. This documentation has not, to date, been received by the Department. On receipt of same the client's rate of Rent Supplement entitlement can be assessed.
49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an increase in rent allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who is on a limited income, and who is finding it hard to meet current commitments due to the price of rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32500/15]
View answerAs detailed to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question No 62 of 11 June 2015, the client concerned was found ineligible for Rent Supplement on 19/5/15 as her spouse is in full time employment. As also outlined in that response, if there has been any change in the client's circumstances, they should provide the Department with documentary evidence confirming same in order for their entitlement to Rent Supplement to be reassessed.
50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason rent supplement is currently under review in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32501/15]
View answerThe client's rate of Rent Supplement has recently been increased as an exceptional measure as this family have extenuating circumstances. The Rent Supplement claim for the client concerned is subject to review as is standard practice for all Rent Supplement claims.
