Barry Cowen
Ceist:40. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an appeal for a domiciliary care allowance. [7174/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (40)
Freagraí scríofa
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 20th January 2015. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the person concerned. It can currently take 10 weeks to process an application for DCA.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (41)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:41. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an appeal for a disability allowance. [7175/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3rd February 2015, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the 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.
Question No. 42 withdrawn.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (43)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:43. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an appeal for a disability allowance. [7189/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on 3rd March 2015. The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements.
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.
Invalidity Pension Appeals
Ceisteanna (44)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:44. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an appeal for an invalidity pension. [7192/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on the 3rd September 2014.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. I am advised that additional evidence was subsequently submitted and the Appeals Officer reviewed the case of the person concerned and upheld his original decision. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 25th November 2014.
Following the submission of additional evidence by the Deputy, the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The Deputy will be contacted when the review of this appeal has been finalised.
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.
Free Travel Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (45)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:45. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a decision on an application for a companion free travel pass. [7193/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The application and further medical evidence submitted in respect of application for a Companion Free Travel Pass from the customer named above was medically assessed by a Medical Assessor on 16 February 2015. The medical opinion has been conveyed to Household Benefits Section, Sligo and the customer will be contacted shortly regarding the decision on the application.
Question No. 46 withdrawn.
Fuel Allowance Eligibility
Ceisteanna (47)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate eligibility for fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7221/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Fuel Scheme applies to persons in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department's website www.welfare.ie.
On 13 January 2015, the department received a claim for fuel allowance from the person concerned. The weekly household means were assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed by a deciding officer. The person concerned was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 16 February 2015. If they do not consider the decision to be correct or if there has been any change in circumstances since the date of decision, they should contact invalidity pension section as soon as possible.