Written Answers Nos. 371 - 386
371. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34506/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 4 October 2016. 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 disability allowance 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34507/16]
View answerThis lady submitted an application for disability allowance on 7 March 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 8 November 2016 and of her rights of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34510/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 5 September 2016. 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 disability allowance 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.
374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34513/16]
View answerI can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance (DA) from this man.
On 19 August 2016 the application was referred by a deciding officer (DO) to a social welfare investigative officer (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The SWI has confirmed that a meeting is scheduled for 10 November 2016. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to the DO, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
375. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34514/16]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received in respect of this child on the 26th July 2016. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A letter issued on 9th November 2016 outlining the decision in this case.
In the case of an application which is refused, the applicant may submit additional information and ask to have the decision reviewed, and/or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The information and options have been advised in the decision letter.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
376. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34515/16]
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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
377. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34517/16]
View answerI confirm that an application from this man for disability allowance (DA) was received by my Department on 18 March 2016.
The application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The SWI has confirmed that the investigation has been completed and is forwarding his report. Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
378. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34521/16]
View answerThis man submitted an application for disability allowance on 10 June 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 14 November 2016 and of his rights of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
379. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/16]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 26 September 2016. 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 disability allowance 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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
380. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [34523/16]
View answerAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received in respect of this child on the 19th August 2016. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the applicant. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. It can currently take 16 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
381. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider providing a basic payment of disability allowance level for persons who are diagnosed with cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34538/16]
View answerMy Department provides a comprehensive suite of income supports, including illness benefit, invalidity pension, and disability allowance for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is not contingent on the nature of the illness but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. Therefore, there is no requirement to introduce a scheme where support is conditional on the nature of the illness as the existing schemes already cover all illnesses.
Hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
382. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of a disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34569/16]
View answerFollowing a successful appeal, this lady has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 24 February 2016. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 2 November 2016.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
383. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a weekly payment has been reduced in the case of a person (details supplied). [34570/16]
View answerThe person concerned is casually employed and is in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance including an increase in respect of a child dependant. As her child dependant reached the age of 18, the qualified child allowance terminated with effect from 30 September 2016.
If the child dependant is continuing in further education, it is open to the person concerned to submit a letter from the education provider confirming that the child dependant is currently registered as a student and engaged in full-time education.
Additionally, the person concerned did not receive payment for the October bank holiday. If the person concerned is not eligible for payment by her employer for the October bank holiday, it is open to the person to submit a letter from their employer to the Maynooth office, confirming that no payment was received for the bank holiday and a payment will issue for that day.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
384. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34575/16]
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 lady concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 10 November 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
385. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34576/16]
View answerHaving completed a period on partial capacity benefit, this gentleman has had his invalidity pension reinstated with effect from the 8 September 2016. He was notified of this decision on the 07 October 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
386. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal on an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34577/16]
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 gentleman concerned on the 27 May 2016. He was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 25 October 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
He requested a review of this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of his request. Following a review of all the information available the Deciding Officer is now satisfied that the medical conditions for the scheme are satisfied.
On the 08 June 2016 and 14 November 2016, a Deciding Officer requested that the gentleman concerned provide confirmation of his last date of employment. Upon receipt of same, the IP claim will be finalised and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
