Written Answers Nos. 39-47
39. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review an application for a respite care grant by a person (details supplied), noting the exceptional circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42088/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Respite Care Grant is an annual payment for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. The care provided must be for a continuous period of at least 6 months in the year in question and include the due date of the Grant – the first Thursday in June. During this care period all of the scheme conditions, which are legal requirements, must be met. One of these conditions is that the carer is not employed outside the home for more than 15 hours a week. Statements completed by the two different employers of the person concerned show that she works for a minimum of 17 hours a week and no new information to contradict this has been provided by the carer.
A further condition is that the carer is not in receipt of a Jobseekers payment during the care period. The person concerned was in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit up to 3 January 2015 and from 29 June 2015 onwards.
A decision, with right of appeal, was sent to the person, on 18 November 2015.
40. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a disability allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42089/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the continuing eligibility for disability allowance (DA) of the person concerned is currently under review. A local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) has been requested to investigate all the circumstances of the case and to provide the deciding officer with a report on the person’s overall circumstances and continued eligibility for DA. Following receipt of that report a decision will be made on the ongoing eligibility to DA of the person concerned and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
41. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be made. [42091/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 12th November 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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.
43. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of an invalidity pension will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42104/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person in question is in receipt of invalidity pension, awarded from September 2011. An application for the national fuel scheme (fuel allowance) was received from the person concerned on 29 September 2015. The weekly household means were assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit for fuel allowance. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed and the person concerned was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 29 October 2015.
44. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42105/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 21 October 2015. Once processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
45. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when payment of a disability benefit will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42107/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 5 August 2015. The first payment will be made by his selected payment method on 12 December 2015.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
47. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42119/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for disability allowance (DA) from the person in question was disallowed on 7 September 2015 by a deciding officer (DO). The grounds for the disallowance were, based upon the evidence provided, that he does not satisfy the means conditions for the scheme.
The person in question was notified of this decision, the reason(s) for it and was advised of his rights to have the decision reviewed by a DO, with or without the submission of additional evidence, or to lodge an appeal with the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date neither option has been exercised by the applicant.
