Written Answers Nos. 158-168
158. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a refund for a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for carer’s allowance in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 28 November 2015 in respect of 2 care recipient.
Arrears of allowance due from 22 October 2015 have issued to the person’s nominated post office on 14 June 2016. The person concerned was notified of these details on 14 June 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
159. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16580/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 7 April 2016. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 30 June 2016. Any arrears due from 7 April 2016 to 29 June 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on the 15 June 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
160. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reinstate the payment to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme, given the new information provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16581/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded carer’s allowance (CA) from 30 January 1997. It is a condition for receipt of CA that a carer must not be employed outside the home in excess of 15 hours in any week. Information received by my department indicated that the maximum hours permitted in relation to work outside the home may be being exceeded in the case of the person concerned.
The person concerned was notified on 20 May 2016 that payment was being stopped from 26 May 2016 until the question of continued entitlement could be established. Accordingly, the case was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) for confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of CA are and have been satisfied.
Information from the employer of the person concerned has been received by my department and, on foot of that information, CA is being restored to her with effect from 16 June 2016.
Once the SWI has reported in relation to the circumstances in the intervening period and prior, a deciding officer will review the entitlement and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome of the review.
161. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16582/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker’s Allowance (JA) is a means tested payment. A means assessment was carried out and it was found that the person concerned is not entitled to JA due to excess means.
Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) is a contribution based payment. Having exhausted his previous entitlement of 156 days, the person concerned will re-qualify for JB after a period of 13 weeks.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
162. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who was being cared for by a person who was in receipt of a payment under the carer's allowance is entitled to a payment under the respite care grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn behalf of myself and my Department, I would like to offer sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased on their recent bereavement.
The Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) is paid automatically in June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), to carers who are in receipt of a qualifying payment on the first Thursday in June. It is paid for the year ahead i.e. grants paid in 2016 cover the 2016/2017 year.
A CSG is not payable in these particular circumstances as the eligibility of the person concerned for carer’s allowance ceased on 1 June 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
163. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the properties his Department and agencies under its remit leased; the number they leased on upward-only rents and the number of the lessors who were involved with the National Asset Management Agency or with any of the State banks; and the details of each lease. [16606/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll accommodation leased by the Department of Social Protection is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW). I understand that the OPW will be providing information separately to you in respect of those leases.
The information requested relating to State agencies under the remit of my Department is currently being examined by my Department and, where not managed by the OPW, will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent arrears in respect of April and May 2016 will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16610/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe entitlement to a rent supplement in the case of the person concerned is currently under review. A letter was issued on 2 June 2016, to the person concerned requesting documentation necessary to complete this review. Upon receipt of all requested documentation the rent review will proceed and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to carry out an evaluation of the circumstances in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16611/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was informed of an overpayment regarding his rent supplement arising from an income change over the past year. However, on foot of this Question the Department is reviewing the overpayment and the claimant will be notified of the outcome of the review in the coming week.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when appropriate disability allowance, illness benefit or alternative will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16615/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllness 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 2015 are governed by the 2013 tax year, and only PRSI Classes A, E, H, and P are reckonable for illness benefit purposes.
The person concerned made a claim to illness benefit and this claim was received in my department on 22 Mar 2016. This claim was disallowed as the person concerned does not satisfy the above contribution criteria. The person concerned has been notified of this decision.
They have advised the department that they were employed elsewhere within the EU. The EU record has been requested and the person concerned will be notified by my department when this record is received.
I confirm that my department is also in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 11 May 2016. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I understand that the person in question has made an application for supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) in the interim. They have been requested by the community welfare service to supply certain information in connection this application which is necessary in order to decide her entitlement. On receipt of this information from the person concerned, a decision will be made on her application for SWA.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent support will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16616/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy is currently in receipt of a rent supplement of €96.50 per week. This is based on rent charged of €600 per month, €138.50 per week less the minimum contribution of €42. This rent supplement was recently reviewed in March 2016. If there has been a change in circumstances, the person referred to should be advised to contact their local Community Welfare Service so that the case can be examined again.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the ongoing process is likely to be concluded to facilitate restoration of carer's allowance and rent allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if arrangements will be put in place for an immediate basic weekly payment in order to address the serious issue emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16622/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a carer’s allowance appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 3 June 2016, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
I am further advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that no appeal in respect of a disallowance of rent supplement has been received by that office.
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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
