Vol. 550 No. 2
430 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been informed of a reduction in respect of one parent family allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7910/02]
The person concerned was in receipt of one-parent family payment at the rate of €95.60. On review of the case it emerged that her earnings exceeded the statutory earnings limit of €293 per week for entitlement to payment. She is entitled to a transitional payment of €47.80 and she has been requested to return her payment book so that this can be put into payment.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
431 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the way in which his Department can state that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has access to his own supply of fuel. [8001/02]
The person concerned applied to my Department for a fuel allowance in January 2002. The investigation of his claim showed that the person concerned resides with his brother who is not in receipt of a social welfare payment and therefore is not one of the excepted categories of people for fuel allowance scheme purposes. The person concerned was informed, in error, that the grounds for disallowing his claim was that he had access to his own supply of fuel. This error is regretted.
As stated in my reply to the Deputy's previous Parliamentary Question in this case, however, the reason for the disallowance was that the person concerned did not satisfy the household conditions of the scheme.
432 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved the old age non-contributory pension. [8002/02]
The person concerned applied to my Department for an old age non-contributory pension on 26 November 2001. He was visited by a local officer on 29 January with a view to the assessment of his means. He indicated at that stage that he did not wish to pursue his application on the grounds that his income from farming exceeds the statutory limit for pension entitlement.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
