Written Answers Nos. 121-129
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has received her full entitlement in respect of exceptional needs assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21859/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application was received by the person concerned applied for exceptional need assistance following a recent relocation of residence. The Designated Officer awarded a payment in early June 2016, to cover necessary household items of furniture and equipment. Taking into account her full circumstances, the designated officer has deemed that the person concerned has received her full entitlement to financial support in this regard.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection why rent allowance has not been restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21863/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rent supplement of the person concerned has been restored effective from 1st April 2016, with three months arrears of rent supplement paid. A full review of this case is being undertaken to ascertain if any further arrears of rent supplement are due to the person concerned. The person concerned will be contacted directly in relation to this review.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent allowance will be increased in line with the current rent of €1400 per month, in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21868/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe client concerned should provide the Department with an up to date Rent Supplement application form confirming any changes to their rate of rent payable. On receipt of same, the claim will be re-assessed with regard to entitlement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position in regard to determination of an application for jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21869/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) payment until 1st July 2016. The person concerned has applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance which is a means tested payment. The spouse of the person concerned owns a farm and an in-depth means assessment is required to establish entitlement. Upon receipt of this assessment a decision will be made on the application of the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
125. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21885/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 29 February 2016 in respect of two care recipients.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the applicant must be providing full-time care and attention.
A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
It is a further condition for receipt of CA the person being care for must require full-time care and attention.
As the first condition is not satisfied in respect of either care recipient and the second condition is not satisfied in respect of one care recipient, a deciding officer has decided that CA is not payable.
The person concerned was notified on 12 July 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
126. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21891/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 11 March 2016.
The documentation enclosed in support of the application was not sufficient to enable the application to be assessed by a deciding officer (DO). Therefore, the DO has referred the application to a local social welfare investigative officer (SWI) on 8 July 2016 for a report on means, the level of care being provided by the person in question and for confirmation that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a DO will make a decision on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
127. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21892/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned was awarded on 12 July 2016 in respect of a 2nd care recipient.
The first payment of CA at the higher rate of payment is due to issue to the person’s nominated bank account on 21 July 2016.
Arrears of allowance due from 3 December 2015 have issued by cheque on 12 July 2016.
The person concerned was notified of these details on 12 July 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
128. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by persons (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21893/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 20th April 2016. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the applicant. Applications are processed in date of receipt order. It can currently take 13 weeks to process an application for DCA.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
129. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the upper age limit for payments under the qualified child allowance scheme, beyond 22 years of age, due to the large numbers remaining in education and dependent on parents whose only income is social protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21898/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreases for a Qualified Child Qualified (IQCs) are paid as child-related supplements to most weekly social welfare payments in recognition of the need for greater incomes among benefit-dependent households with dependent children. The current full rate of payment is €29.80 per week per dependent child. Expenditure on IQCs in 2015 was in the region of €597 million.
Along with IQCs, families on low incomes can avail of a number of provisions to social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- Family Income Supplement (FIS) for low-paid employees with children;
- the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for low income families (paid at the full-time second level education rate).
The main financial support available to students attending higher education courses is the statutory based student grant scheme. This scheme, which is administered by SUSI, offers a means-tested grant scheme that provides maintenance and-or fee support to qualifying disadvantaged students.
The combined effect of these schemes provides effective targeted assistance directly linked with household income and thereby supports low-income families with older children participating in full-time education. There are currently no plans to increase the upper age limit for payments under the Qualified Child Allowance Scheme, beyond 22 years of age.
