Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of entitlement of a jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) that was made redundant in May 2019 and has received no assistance from her Department in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7882/21]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned submitted a claim for Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) in June 2019. The claim could not be processed as the person concerned did not provide a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) formerly known as a GNIB card or a letter from the Department of Justice confirming his right to remain in the State.
The person concerned applied for a Jobseeker’s Allowance in December 2020 and was awarded a payment of €286 for the period 31/12/2020 to 06/01/2021. Subsequent to this award, my Department was advised that the person concerned had taken on the role of full-time carer for his child from 14/12/2020. As the person concerned was not available for full-time work it was established he was not entitled to this payment and his JA claim was closed. The person concerned was subsequently advised to apply for Carer’s Allowance, but records reflect that, as yet, no application for Carer’s Allowance has been received by my Department.
Following your representation a review was undertaken of the JB claim made by the person concerned. Taking into account his current IRP dated 29/10/2020 the person concerned has been awarded a JB payment from 29/10/2020 to 13/12/2020. Any monies due for this period less the overpayment of €286 for the period 31/12/2020 to 06/01/2021 will be paid into his nominated bank account this week.
On 09/04/2020 the person concerned applied for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment. This claim was disallowed on 28/05/2020 as the person concerned failed to provide adequate details regarding multiple lodgements identified on a bank statement document he had provided. The person concerned was unable to show that his means were less than the weekly SWA rate appropriate to his circumstances. The disallowance was subsequently appealed to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and on 16/11/2020 the appeal was disallowed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
