Written Answers Nos. 62-67
62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent support is warranted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15127/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has not been informed of any change of circumstance for the client concerned. The client's entitlement to Rent Supplement can be assessed if an up to date Rent Supplement application form and lease agreement is forwarded to the Mid Leinster Rents Unit, Department of Social Protection, PO Box 11758, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review and-or refer to appeal a refusal of domiciliary care in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15128/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for domiciliary care allowance in respect of her child on the 10th October 2014. The application was disallowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A decision letter issued to the customer on the 14th January 2015 advising of the decision.
In the case of an application which is refused the applicant may submit additional information and ask for the decision to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned has been advised of this in her decision letter.
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining eligibility for rent support in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the relevant equality legislation is being observed in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15130/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs detailed to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question No 67 of 5th March 2015, the client concerned was requested to provide the Department with details of any savings accrued through the sale of the family home on 10th of December 2014 and again on 24th February 2015 in order for the client's entitlement to be fully assessed. This documentation has not, to date, been received by the Department.
As also outlined in that response, in the assessment of means for Rent Supplement, capital (savings and investments) over €5000, is assessed as means, on an increasing scale. All applications for Rent Supplement are subject to this means test.
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate eligibility for a carer’s allowance and a domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15131/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person in question is currently in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) for one care recipient. To be entitled to CA, where the care recipient is aged under 16 there must be a domiciliary care allowance (DCA) in payment in respect of that child. If the person in question believes that she satisfies the conditions for receipt of DCA and CA for another care recipient it is open to her to submit application forms for the two schemes which will be processed and decided upon in due course.
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if and when payment, including arrears of rent support, will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of the period up to 18 March 2015 when the person became ineligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15133/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA final Rent Supplement payment, to include arrears due, will issue by cheque to the client concerned on 24th April 2015.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if mortgage support can be made available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15134/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare & Pensions Act 2013 provided for the closure of the mortgage interest supplement scheme to new applicants from 1/01/2014 and for a winding down of the scheme for existing recipients over four years. According to the records of this Department the person concerned made no claim for this supplement before or after this date.
The person concerned should contact their lender if they are experiencing difficulties with their mortgage at this time. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) also provides assistance to people, in particular people in receipt of social welfare or on low incomes, who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems.
