Written Answers Nos. 44 - 49
44. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection how private pension contributions or additional voluntary contributions are assessed in determining qualification for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39700/15]
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 means test that applies to applicants for CA, assesses any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, including any property, (except their own home) or any asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income - for example occupational pensions, or pensions and benefits from another country.
In calculating means from employment for the carer and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, deductions are allowed for the following contributions: employee PRSI, superannuation, additional voluntary contributions, contributions to personal retirement savings accounts, union dues and reasonable travel costs.
45. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a water conservation grant by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39707/15]
View answerThe Department is administering the Water Conservation Grant on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The regulations governing the Water Conservation Grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Statutory Instrument 434 of 2015 provided for the extension of the deadline for the submission of a completed application for the Water Conservation Grant to the Department of Social Protection from 8 October 2015 to 22 October 2015. Therefore the extended deadline has now passed.
I understand that an officer of this Department will be in contact with your office to establish the circumstances of this particular case.
46. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39712/15]
View answerInvalidity 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 27 October 2015. The claim will be processed as quickly as possible and the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
48. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39757/15]
View answerInvalidity 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 03 September 2015. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 09 November 2015 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
49. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine and expedite an overpayment of jobseeker's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as all relevant information has been submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39767/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 October 2015. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 3 November 2015 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral 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.
