Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2010
198 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 14 October 2010, if the question of payment of child benefit has been resolved; if the negotiations with other jurisdictions have been concluded and if and when payment will be authorised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40885/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraCorrespondence issued to the Lithuanian authorities on 12 October 2010 in relation to the person concerned, querying her entitlement to family benefits in that State as her son now resides there. No reply has been received to date, but based on experience of this type of case a reply from the Lithuanian authorities could take between 3 and 6 months. On receipt of a reply from the Lithuanian authorities entitlement to Child Benefit will be examined and the person concerned will be notified accordingly.
199 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a difference in determination of means emerged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he will ensure the case is fully investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40886/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for disability allowance on 27 August 2009. He was assessed with weekly means of €437.52 based on his spouse's earnings from insurable employment. As this exceeded the (then) statutory limit of €339.90 per week for payment of disability allowance his claim was refused. Means are assessed on the claimant's own means and that of their spouse/partner subject to certain exceptions laid down in legislation. Mortgage repayments are not included in these exceptions and are therefore not deductible when assessing means.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 7 December 2009 advising him of this decision and advising him of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals office within 21 days. The person concerned subsequently appealed the decision. Based on the evidence, the appeals officer found that the person had failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit applicable from 2 September 2009 and the appeal was disallowed. He was notified of this decision by letter on 20 May 2010. An appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.
200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when jobseeker’s benefit will be paid in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40887/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the persons concerned is in receipt of jobseeker's benefit since June 2010. The second person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance from 17th September 2010 having exhausted her entitlement to jobseeker's benefit. She will be interviewed by an Inspector regarding her means in the next week and a decision will be made on her claim when the means assessment is completed. The second person concerned has been advised that if her jobseeker's allowance claim is awarded the amount payable on both claims will be limited to the amount one would receive if they claimed for the other as a qualified adult and that they have the option of the first person concerned claiming the full qualified adult and qualified child rate while awaiting a decision on her claim.
201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 14 October 2010, when it is expected to reinstate rent supplement in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40888/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn reply to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 14th October 2010 I advised the Deputy that the person in question had been asked to supply information to the HSE, only part of which has been supplied to date. The HSE is still awaiting the information from the person concerned in order to determine entitlement to rent supplement.
