Robert Troy
Ceist:112. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite payment of a disability grant for a person (details supplied). [21764/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (112)
Freagraí scríofa
I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person. The claim was disallowed on medical and means grounds. The person concerned appealed the decision to the social welfare appeals office (SWAO). On 20 June 2016, the department was notified by the SWAO that this appeal was successful.
The person concerned has been awarded DA with effect from 28 October 2015. The first payment will issue by his selected payment method on 10 August 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).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Domiciliary Care Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (113)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:113. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21777/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned was notified on the 8th June 2016 that her domiciliary care allowance has been awarded from 1st May 2016. The first payment of the allowance, along with arrears due, issued on the 21st June 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No.114 withdrawn.
Family Income Supplement Payments
Ceisteanna (115)
Pat Breen
Ceist:115. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) has not been facilitated with a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21816/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned was awarded Family Income Supplement (FIS) from 3rd July 2014 to 29th June 2016 and they have been in receipt of a weekly FIS supplement during these dates.
In order to qualify for FIS the person concerned must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for at least 38 hours per fortnight (19 hours per week).
Each year, FIS customers must reapply for the payment by completing a renewal application form and, in this case, the person concerned forwarded a renewal form that was received by the Department on the 26th May 2016.
As there was evidence that the underlying condition of employment for at least 38 hours per fortnight was no longer satisfied, further enquiries were made with the person’s employer in relation to their hours of work.
Based on confirmation of working hours from the employer of the person concerned, renewal of FIS has been disallowed on the ground that the person concerned is not working the required hours.
A letter was issued to the person concerned on the 06th July 2016 notifying them of this decision and of their right of review and appeal.
It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for FIS if their weekly employment hours increase to the required level of at least 38 hours per fortnight.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (116)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:116. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 27 April 2016. The first payment shall issue by her selected payment method on 3 August 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).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (117)
John McGuinness
Ceist:117. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and the timeframe involved for processing such applications. [21842/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 29 April 2016. Unfortunately, there are currently delays in the processing of new applications. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.
Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.
This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from her local community welfare service.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (118)
John McGuinness
Ceist:118. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal by a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved, relative to the persons disability allowance payment. [21846/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 12th July 2016, 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits Applications
Ceisteanna (119)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when exceptional or other supportive payment will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21857/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
According to the records of this department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for financial support. It is open to the person concerned to contact her local community welfare service in Celbridge if she wishes to make an application for a supplementary welfare allowance payment or seek financial assistance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Jobseeker's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (120)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when application for jobseeker's allowance will be considered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21858/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Jobseekers Application of the person concerned was disallowed as means were not disclosed. Documentation requested by the Department in April 2016 is still outstanding and the application could not proceed.
Should the person concerned now wish to proceed with his application, he should submit all outstanding documentation to the local office so that his application can be processed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.