Written Answers Nos. 34-46
34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent allowance will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40991/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has requested further documentation from the client concerned in order for the client's rate of Rent Supplement entitlement to be accurately re-assessed.
36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the eligibility of a person (details supplied) in County Meath for a disability allowance, based on medical evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41005/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for disability allowance, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 15 October 2015.
Following the receipt of additional medical evidence supplied by your office, this decision will be reviewed by a deciding officer (DO) and the outcome of this review will be notified directly to the person in question.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal under the disability allowance scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41007/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for disability allowance (DA), based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 22 August 2015. On foot of further medical evidence submitted by the applicant, a deciding officer (DO) reviewed this decision. After giving due consideration to all the evidence in the case, the DO upheld the original decision and the person concerned was notified of this on 17 November 2015.
In accordance with the request of the person in question, the matter has now been referred to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO) who will notify the person in question directly in relation to the progress of his appeal.
38. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41014/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer, 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
39. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a fuel allowance has been withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, given that there has been no change to the household circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41016/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of disability allowance. They made a new application for an increase under the national fuel scheme (fuel allowance) – that allowance not having been paid to them previously. Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment and is payable to certain categories of people who live alone or only with certain other persons. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed on 14 October 2015 as the conditions for payment are not being met in this case. If the person in question has any other relevant information not already submitted to the department, they are advised to do so and the circumstances will be reviewed.
40. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [41025/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete contribution year before the date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E or H contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
In 2011 the department received from the person concerned a claim for IP. That claim was refused at that time on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.
The department has no record of any subsequent claim for IP from the person concerned.
41. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the role she has had in her Department in the arrangements for the provision of pensions to former employees of Waterford Crystal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41059/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mediated agreement for former Waterford Crystal workers, which covers 1,774 scheme members, provides for the payment of;
(a) a tax-free once-off lump sum of €1,200 for every year of Scheme Service, not exceeding 40 years, plus
(b) payment of monies in respect of pensionable service which is payable from the normal retirement date of the scheme members (on a fortnightly basis).
To date, 1,574 lump sum payments have been authorised totalling €42.1 million. Work is ongoing in my Department to finalise the payment of the remaining lump sums.
In tandem with this, officials of my Department are working on putting in place the administrative arrangements to facilitate the payment of monies in respect of pensionable service. Given that these pension payments will be in place for decades to come it is essential that appropriate operational and system arrangements are put in place for their ongoing maintenance and payment.
My officials have been in ongoing communication with officials of the National Shared Services Office of the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, and with the Pay Master General Pensions Unit of the Department of Finance, to explore the various options to facilitate the pension payments. Arising from this, my Department is now in the process of developing a payroll solution to effect the payments.
42. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if rent support will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose rent has increased from €750 to €900 per month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41067/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny changes in a client’s circumstances that may affect their entitlements should be immediately notified to the Department. The client concerned should submit to the Department three current payslips, an up to date Rent Supplement application form and lease agreement confirming any increase in their monthly rent, to allow their Rent Supplement entitlement be re-assessed.
43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a personal public service number will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41071/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBefore a PPS Number can be allocated, the person making the application must provide evidence of identity, and demonstrate the reason why s/he requires the allocation of a PPS Number. PPS Numbers are issued by the Department following checks on an individual’s identity. In addition, acceptable evidence of address must be provided. The process of allocating a PPS Number includes the capture of a photograph and signature. Photographs captured are compared with other photographs previously captured in order to detect any possible duplicates.
I understand that the Department has contacted the Deputy’s Office requesting further information on the circumstances of the individual referred to in the question. When that is received, appropriate arrangements for processing a PPSN application in this case can be made.
44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the rent support to a person (detail supplied) in County Kildare will be increased, given that the person's rent has been increased from €850 to €1,025 per month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41072/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe client concerned should provide the Department with an up to date Rent Supplement application form confirming an increase in their monthly rent. On receipt of this documentation, the client's rate of Rent Supplement entitlement can be re-assessed.
45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if, and when, a jobseeker's payment will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has received no payment which has resulted in serious hardship for more than three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41075/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPQ Ref 40320 refers to the jobseekers allowance claim of the person concerned has been disallowed by a deciding officer following a review of his entitlement. He has been advised of the reasons for the disallowance and informed that he can appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. He had also been advised that if he wishes he can apply for supplementary welfare allowance and have his entitlement to this payment examined.
46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent of rent support available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41076/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department was not made aware that the client concerned had commenced employment. Any changes in a client’s circumstances that may affect their entitlements should be immediately notified to the Department and the circumstances of the case will have to be examined retrospectively. The client should submit to the Department an up to date Rent Supplement application form, lease agreement confirming any increase in their monthly rent and current payslips. On receipt of same, the client’s rate of Rent Supplement entitlement can be assessed. It should be noted that Rent Supplement is not payable where a person or their spouse/partner is in full-time employment.
