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Wednesday, 27 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 120-124

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (120)

Áine Collins

Ceist:

120. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 19 November 2013, the reason she classified a person's income as employment when it has been clearly shown that they are on a community employment scheme, which entitles them to jobseeker's allowance plus €20. [50982/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Community Employment (CE) participants are legally under contracts of employment with the CE Sponsoring organisation. CE Participants have all the same legal protections as any other person under a contract of employment (with the exception of they cannot be employed on contracts of indefinite duration). CE Participants pay PRSI and PAYE (where applicable). The wages they receive on CE are paid by the employer who in turn claims the cost of the wages from the Department every 4 weeks. If the Deputy has a query further to the answer already provided to PQ No. 326 referred to above, perhaps she would furnish the details to my office and I will have the matter reviewed.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (121)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

121. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 regarding an appeal for domiciliary care allowance. [50988/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 21 November 2013 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined. 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (122)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

122. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine a jobseeker's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [51011/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 November 2013. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 14 November 2013 and the case 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

National Internship Scheme Placements

Ceisteanna (123)

Patrick Nulty

Ceist:

123. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 is being paid only €114.40 on a JobBridge placement scheme in view of the fact they are working 30 hours per week; and her views on whether this is exploitation of a worker. [51013/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person to whom the Deputy refers is in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, which was means tested resulting in a weekly rate of €64.60. Under the scheme, JobBridge interns continue to receive their Social Welfare payment at its current rate together with the weekly €50 top-up. The Department is not in a position to make exceptions to this rule.

Carer's Allowance Payments

Ceisteanna (124)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

124. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is now in full payment of carer's allowance; the amount of arrears due; and when payment will issue. [51016/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on the 24 July 2013. This application was approved with effect from 31 October 2013, with the first payment being made on this date. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 1 October 2013. There are no arrears due to the person concerned as he was in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment at a higher rate than that payable on the carer’s allowance.

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