Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011
204 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32190/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was in receipt of illness benefit from 21 March 2011 at the maximum personal rate. On 27 September 2011 she was assessed by a departmental medical assessor who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her illness benefit payment was stopped from 12 October 2011. The person concerned has been advised that she may appeal against this decision. However, to date, no appeal has been registered with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. Since the date her illness benefit was stopped she has been in receipt of jobseeker's benefit at the same maximum personal rate.
206 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has any plans to introduce any restrictions on the payment of rent supplement to tenants who regularly engage in anti-social behaviour, cause noise disturbance and nuisance to neighbours, as verified by the Garda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32212/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to review the operation of the rent supplement scheme with a view to introducing a code of conduct for rent supplement eligibility similar to that which operates for local authority tenants.
The purpose of this review is to ensure that tenants who are receiving long term support from the State under the rent supplement scheme are subject to the same type of anti-social behaviour regime as local authority tenants. The most appropriate way for this to happen is for local authorities to take over responsibility for meeting the accommodation needs of these individuals. My Department is currently working with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to achieving this goal.
