Written Answers Nos. 80 - 89
80. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application under the domiciliary care allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1761/16]
View answerThe person concerned was notified on 25 November 2015 that her application for domiciliary care allowance was successful and that the allowance has been awarded from 1 September 2015. The first payment of the allowance, along with arrears due, issued on 15 December 2015.
81. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application under the domiciliary care allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1762/16]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on 23 June 2015. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on 9 October 2015 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.
A review of this decision was requested on 23 October 2015 and additional information on this child’s condition/care needs has been supplied. The application together with the new information supplied has been forwarded to a medical assessor for their professional opinion. Once this opinion is received the application will be re-examined by a deciding officer and a revised decision will be made if warranted. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as it is completed. Such reviews can take up to 12 weeks to complete at present.
82. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application under the fuel allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1771/16]
View answerA fuel allowance (FA) is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months. In summary, it is paid to people who are in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments and who live alone or only with a person who is caring for them or a dependant; only with dependent spouses/partners/children or only with a person who is in receipt of a qualifying payment or a combination of these categories. In addition, the persons in the household must be unable to provide for their heating needs from their own resources. Full details of the qualifying social welfare payments are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
Carer’s allowance is not a qualifying payment for FA. However disability allowance, which is a qualifying payment, recently has been awarded to the care recipient in the household in question.
An application form for fuel allowance will issue to the relevant person and a decision with regard to their entitlement to the allowance will be made on the return of the completed form.
83. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application under the fuel allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1772/16]
View answerThe person concerned submitted an application to the Department for a Fuel Allowance on the 3 December 2015. The allowance was awarded with effect from 4 of December 2015 and the first payment, including all arrears, issued to their chosen bank account on 24 December 2015.
84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an entitlement to invalidity pension of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1778/16]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 1 October 2015. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 28 January 2016. Any arrears due from 1 October 2015 to 27 January 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 13 January 2016.
85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be awarded a rent increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1792/16]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of a Rent Supplement as the monthly rate of €761.20. The monthly rent payment currently being asked of the person concerned is in excess of the maximum prescribed rent limit for the family size. The person concerned has been advised in writing by the Designated Officer to make contact with Threshold in order to seek their advice and assistance in line with the Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol (ITSP).
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a basic social welfare payment is being made to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1793/16]
View answerThe person concerned applied for Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance. The person concerned failed to provide requested documentation to support his application. The person’s application was subsequently refused and a letter was issued advising the person of the position. The person concerned was also advised of his right to appeal this decision. To date no appeal has been received by the Department.
It is open to the person concerned to submit a fresh application for a basic supplementary welfare allowance. The person should submit all documentation relevant and necessary as requested whereupon the application which will be processed and a decision issued in due course.
87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection notwithstanding the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 19 November 2015, the reason for the delay in allocating a personal public service number to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1794/16]
View answerThe Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is the individual’s unique reference number for all dealings with Government Departments and public bodies.
Before a PPS Number can be allocated, the person making the application must provide evidence of identity, and demonstrate the reason why s/he requires the allocation of a PPS Number. PPS Numbers are issued by the Department following checks on an individual’s identity. In addition, acceptable evidence of address must be provided. The process of allocating a PPS Number includes the capture of a photograph and signature. Photographs captured are compared with other photographs previously captured in order to detect any possible duplicates.
The Deputy should note that there is no delay in the allocation of a PPS Number to the person concerned as there is no record of that person having made an application for a PPS Number. In my previous reply to the Deputy, I noted that further information on the person was requested to assist my Department deal with this query. However, no such information has yet been provided. If the person concerned wishes to proceed with an application for a PPS Number then they should attend at the PPS Number allocation centre for Kildare at Moorefield Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare.
88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when rent support will be approved for persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1796/16]
View answerThe rate of Rent Supplement entitlement for the client concerned was recently increased as an exceptional measure due to extenuating family circumstances. As this claim is awarded in excess of the maximum applicable limits, it will be subject to ongoing review by the Department.
89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent support will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1798/16]
View answerThe Rent Supplement for the client concerned is currently awarded based on a rent of €1,200 per calendar month. The client has been requested to provide up to date payslips prior to 29/1/16. On receipt of same, client’s ongoing entitlement to Rent Supplement can be re-assessed.
