Written Answers Nos. 40-46
40. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2613/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 17 June 2015. The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 10 February 2016.
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).
41. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of the family income supplement scheme by the number of children, by the average cost of each category, in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2633/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information being sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be made available to him as soon as possible.
42. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in County Carlow was not advised of an entitlement to a widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension on being awarded a bereavement grant at the time of the death of a spouse or when the person applied for a state pension a number of years later. [2634/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied to the Department for a bereavement grant on the 22 November 2004, following the death of their late spouse in November 2003. The person concerned was awarded bereavement grant and the payment issued by cheque on 2 December 2004. The letter of award of bereavement grant notified the person concerned of the option to apply for widower’s contribution pension, if not already availed of, and to forward the application form to Widows and Orphans Pension Section, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Pension Services Office, College Road, Sligo.
An application for widower’s contributory pension was not received from the person concerned until 10 November 2015. Legislation provides for backdating of widow’s, widower’s and surviving civil partner contributory pension claims for a period of six months, which was paid to the person concerned. Further backdating of pension may be considered where the failure to claim on time was as a result of either false or misleading information supplied by a member of staff of the Department, or where the applicant was so incapacitated by illness or infirmity that they were not able to make a claim, or instruct another person to act on their behalf, within the prescribed time.
According to the records of the department, the person concerned has not yet made a claim for state pension (contributory). I have arranged for an application to be sent to the person concerned, which should be completed and returned to State pension (contributory) section, Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo. On receipt a Deciding Officer will examine their entitlement and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
43. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) has not received any rent payment despite a Private Residential Tenancies Board hearing decision determining this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2641/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has not, to date, received an application for Rent Supplement for the client concerned. The client should forward a completed application to be assessed for entitlement to the Mid-Leinster Rent Unit, PO Box 11758, Dublin 24.
44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if, and when, rent support, in line with rent of €1,100 per month, can be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2670/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of Rent Supplement for the client concerned was recently increased as an exceptional measure due to extenuating family circumstances. As this claim is awarded in excess of the maximum applicable limits, it will be subject to ongoing review by the Department.
45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the situation of a person (details supplied) will improve. [2671/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn every case where a one-parent family payment is awarded, the Department seeks to trace the other parent (liable relative) in order to ascertain whether he or she is in a financial position to contribute towards the cost of the one-parent family payment.
All liable relatives assessed with maintenance liability are issued with a maintenance assessment setting out the amount of contribution assessed. The financial and new dependency situation of each liable relative is assessed in detail. The assessment is based on the net weekly income (i.e. income from all sources less income tax and PRSI) with deductions for a personal allowance in respect of personal needs, a child dependant allowance in respect of each child living with the liable relative, and an allowance may also be granted in respect of the liable relative’s accommodation costs. Any maintenance currently being paid to the one parent family recipient is also taken into account.
In the particular case referred to by the Deputy, the liable relative was issued with an assessment on 29 September 2015, based on the information available to the Department. To date, the person concerned has not made any contact with the Department. If the liable relative wishes to have his liability reassessed, he should write to Maintenance Recovery Unit, Department of Social Protection, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, providing additional relevant information. The amount assessed can be reviewed where new information comes to light about the financial or household circumstances of the liable relative.
46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for disability allowance or benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2676/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no record of an application for disability allowance from the person in question. If the person in question wishes to make an application, she should fully complete and submit an application form (DA1) so that her eligibility may be determined.
If the person in question has submitted an application for DA in the last few days, there is no need to reapply and the Department will be in touch with her in due course.
Illness benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. One of the PRSI conditions is that a person must have a minimum of 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. Claims made in 2016 are governed by the 2014 tax year, and only PRSI Classes A, E, H, and P are reckonable for illness benefit purposes.
It appears, based upon her contribution record, that the person concerned does not satisfy the above contribution criteria as her last paid contribution recorded was in 2006.
