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Thursday, 8 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 111-120

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (111)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

111. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a review of disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when a decision will issue on the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20723/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 26 February 2014.

In late March, medical evidence was received and has been referred to a medical assessor for an up to date opinion as to the person’s eligibility. Once this is received, the application will be reviewed by a deciding officer and the person will be notified directly of the outcome.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Ceisteanna (112)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

112. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will take steps to expedite an application to the chief appeals office against the refusal of a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath which was lodged in June 2013; if an oral hearing will be afforded to the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20736/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.

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.

Question No. 113 withdrawn.

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (114)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will arrange for the immediate restoration of rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who is legitimately receiving rent support for several years when registration on the local authority housing list was not a precondition for rent support; if, in view of the hardship now being caused and the possibility of losing their present rented accommodation, rent support will be immediately reactivated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20762/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There has been no change in the position in this case since the Deputy’s last Parliamentary Question. This is due to the fact that the person concerned has not yet made contact with this Department to provide the information requested.

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (115)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

115. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the future of rent supplement; the total spending on rent supplement per annum on a county basis from 2007 to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20763/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources. 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 77,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.

The Department’s strategic policy direction is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of a short term income support. In July 2013 the Government approved the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Under HAP, responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with a long-term housing need will transfer from the Department of Social Protection to local authorities. Officials in the Department are working closely with those in the lead Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, in piloting HAP in Limerick City and County Council with further roll out to selected local authorities during the year.

Detail of the total spending on rent supplement per annum from 2007 to 2014 is set out in the table. Expenditure on the rent supplement scheme on a county basis is not available.

Tabular Statement of Supplement Expenditure: 2007 to 2014

Rent

-

Year

Year

2007

391,466

2008

440,548

2009

510,751

2010

516,538

2011

502,747

2012

422,536

2013

372,909

2014

344,100

Departmental Legal Costs

Ceisteanna (116)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

116. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of expenditure incurred by her Department on external legal advice in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [20779/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department incurs expenditure on costs associated with legal cases from Vote 37 Department of Social Protection and the Social Insurance Fund. The following table sets out legal costs paid by the Department for the period 2009 to 30 April 2014:

Year

Amount

-

2009

377,511

2010

598,647

2011

1,239,266

2012

453,262

2013

560,825

1/1/2014 –

30/4/2014

296,975

Total:

3,526,486

Costs relating to prosecutions arising from fraudulent claims made to the Department are borne by the Chief State Solicitors Office.

Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (117)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the reduction in mortgage interest supplement in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20789/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The interest repayments for the person concerned have reduced from €1808.20 pm to €1773.33 pm, and therefore the amount of the mortgage interest supplement has also reduced. The calculation is based on circa 70% of the mortgage which is €1243.81 as the remaining mortgage finance drawn down was used for commercial purposes and is therefore outside the scope of the scheme. The circumstances of the person concerned results in a monthly payment of €1061.80 mortgage interest supplement to the person concerned.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Ceisteanna (118)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20791/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 7 May 2014. The person was also advised that she could have the decision reviewed by a deciding officer and of her right to appeal the decision Social Welfare Appeals Office, within 21 days.

Questions Nos. 119 and 120 withdrawn.
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