Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 January 2011
722 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1489/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on the 24th November 2010. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for a medical opinion on the case. Upon receipt of this opinion a decision will issue to the customer. Currently it takes the DCA section eight weeks to process an application.
723 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is satisfied with the time taken to process an application for child benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when a decision will issue in relation to this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1509/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12 August 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 27 October 2010 and the appeal has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. 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 on social welfare entitlements.
724 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the cessation of payment of jobseeker’s allowance and back to work enterprise allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1571/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has no record of a Jobseeker's Allowance or Back to Work Enterprise Allowance application being made by the person concerned. He should contact his Social Welfare Local Office in Longford if he wishes to make an application.
725 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will increase jobseeker’s allowance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1574/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance at a weekly rate of €100 which is the maximum rate payable for a person of her age.
726 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1576/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned submitted an application for Jobseeker's Allowance on 22 December 2010 when her Jobseeker's Benefit expired. The payment of Jobseeker's Allowance is subject to a means test and the assessment of her means has been completed. A decision will issue to her in the next week.
727 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1577/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for disability allowance on 19 October 2009. His claim was assessed by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that he was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted that medical opinion and refused his claim. A letter issued to the person on 8 January 2010 advising him of this decision.
I understand an appeal was opened in this case by the Social Welfare Appeals Office who asked the person to submit further medical details in support of the appeal. I further understand that the person did not reply to this request and that, consequently, his appeal was withdrawn by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 6 July 2010.
728 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has had their lone parent allowance cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1578/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of One Parent Family Payment at a weekly rate of €260.10. Arising from the changes made in the Social Welfare Act the rates of payment for One Parent Family Payment were reduced. Accordingly, there was a reduction in her payment, in line with these provisions, with effect from 1 January 2011.
