Written Answers Nos. 131-139
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent supplement was suspended in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if all documentation has been received in this instances; if she will outline when payment will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19319/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent Supplement was suspended as the person’s primary payment was suspended. As this suspension has now been lifted Rent Supplement is back in payment.
133. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that was made on a persons disability allowance appeal (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19321/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 February 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an 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.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum rent allowance to avail of rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if all arrears of rent support are up to date in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19323/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe maximum rent limit for the person concerned is €690 per month. Arrears are due to issue this week together with this month’s payment.
138. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 17 April 2013, if she will clarify a person's eligibility for rent allowance in a situation in which has left their home which is jointly owned/rented with their spouse/partner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19345/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 86,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €403 million for 2013. In reply to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 17 April 2013, I outlined the eligibility criteria for rent supplement. The question referred to the provisions to support women who are leaving the family home due to domestic violence. In such cases the circumstances of the applicant are examined and the officer administering the scheme has discretionary power to expedite the award of a payment where the person’s safety and wellbeing are at risk. If the Deputy has concerns regarding a specific case, he should forward the details to the Department for follow up.
