Written Answers Nos. 44-49
44. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2433/16]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 20 September 2015.
CA is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that the evidence did not indicate that the care recipient required full-time care and attention and accordingly, CA was disallowed.
The person concerned was notified on 18 January 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
46. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a payment under the carer's allowance scheme will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2453/16]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 18 September 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
47. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of households that availed of the water conservation grant in 2015; and the amount of money issued in this regard. [2457/16]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection is administering the Water Conservation Grant on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community, and Local Government. A total of 887,127 householders have been paid the 2015 Water Conservation Grant to date. These payments amount to €88,712,700. A small number of residual applications from householders who meet the 2015 eligibility criteria continue to be processed.
48. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal of a payment by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2498/16]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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 Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position on the removal of a carer's allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2503/16]
View answerCarer’s allowance (CA) can be paid to a person at half the normal rate where they are in receipt of certain social welfare payments.
The person concerned is in receipt of half rate Carer’s Allowance (CA) since 1 January 2009 as she was in receipt of the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP).
Following a review of her entitlement to OFP, that payment to her ceased with effect from 10 September 2014.
The person concerned applied on 6 October 2015 to have her payment of CA increased to the full rate. The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA have been satisfied since September 2014 and that they continue to be satisfied.
The SWI arranged an interview with the person concerned in December 2015 but she failed to attend as requested and failed to explain her non-attendance. I am informed that another date for a meeting with the SWI has been arranged. It is important that the person in question cooperates with this review of her eligibility. Once the SWI completes his/her investigation and reports to the deciding officer, a decision on the eligibility of the person in question for CA since September 2014 will be made and her payment will be adjusted accordingly.
