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Family Income Supplement

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Ceisteanna (356)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

356. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for family income supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20504/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person concerned applied for FIS in April 2015 and was awarded a payment with effect from 16 April 2015.

My department subsequently became aware that the children of the person concerned were not residing for the majority of the time with the FIS claimant. A social welfare inspector (SWI) interviewed both parents to try to ascertain with whom the children are normally resident. The SWI reported that the children reside with each parent for precisely 50% of the time and that this custody arrangement has been in place since October 2014 prior to the award of FIS.

On 7 October 2015, a deciding officer (DO) having considered all the evidence revised the decision and disallowed FIS on the grounds that the children were not qualified children within the meaning of FIS legislation.

The person concerned appealed this decision to disallow FIS to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO). On 29 April 2016 an appeals officer (AO), having considered all the circumstances, partly allowed the appeal. The AO determined that FIS should be paid to the appellant on alternate weeks with effect from October 2015.

In accordance with the decision of the AO, all arrears due to the person in question for the period from October 2015 up to 13 April 2016 issued to her nominated bank account. She has been awarded FIS for a further 52 weeks from 14 April 2016 and, again, all arrears due have been issued by my department to her nominated bank account.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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