Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:80 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free fuel allowance has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned applied for free fuel allowance in January 1991. One of the conditions for receipt of this allowance is that the claimant's heating needs must not be covered under a deed transferring property.
Under the terms of a deed of transfer dated November 1990, the claimant's son undertook to support and maintain his parents to the standards to which they were accustomed. This was interpreted to mean that he would make adequate provision for their heating needs. In these circumstances, the application for free fuel allowance was not successful.
Andrew Boylan
Ceist:81 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan has not got the full rate of arrears in respect of his social welfare claim from July 1991 due to his change of circumstances; the reason the full rate of £50 per week is not being paid in this case; the way in which means of £11 per week have been derived; if he will now give a commitment to make payment of the full rate in this case and that arrears at the full rate will be paid with the minimum of delay.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance from 11 June 1991. His means were assessed at £29.90 per week, based on benefit of board and lodging in the family home, and a student grant.
The person concerned appealed this decision, and was reassessed on an interim basis by a deciding officer with means of £10.55, based on the benefit of board and lodging only, from 19 September 1991. Subsequently the deciding officer back dated the revised interim means assessment to 11 June 1991.
Arrears which became payable as a result of the more favourable decisions were paid in two instalments. The independent appeals officer subsequently dealt with the case and the full rate of unemployment assistnce will now be awarded with effect from 2 July 1991. The arrears now due will be issued shortly to the person concerned.