Pat Breen
Ceist:198. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (198)
Freagraí scríofa
An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 24 February 2016.
As a result of an appeals officer’s decision the application was awarded to the person concerned on 28 October 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 3 November 2016. Arrears for the period 25 February 2016 to 2 November 2016 have also issued to the post office.
The person concerned was notified on 28 October 2016 of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Qualified Child Increase Payments
Ceisteanna (199)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:199. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a person’s (details supplied) application for a qualified child allowance; and when a decision will issue. [32604/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The application for an increase for a qualified child by the person concerned has been awarded. Arrears will issue next week.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
Community Employment Schemes Eligibility
Ceisteanna (200, 201)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:200. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to revise the criteria for participation in the community employment scheme, particularly to meet the needs of rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32615/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPearse Doherty
Ceist:201. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the number of community employment schemes places available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32614/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the aim of the community employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. As of the end of September, there were nearly 22,200 participants on various community employment (CE) schemes throughout the country. The CE programme has a budget of €376.5 m in 2016.
With reducing numbers on the Live Register, demand for CE places may vary and I do not consider that an increase in the overall numbers available under CE is justified at this time.
The Department keeps the eligibility criteria for CE places under review to ensure that these are effective in targeting long-term unemployed jobseekers and to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and that there is the maximum utilisation of places.
As the Deputy may be aware, a review of CE schemes was conducted by the Department. I met with my senior officials who have responsibility for CE schemes at the end of August to discuss the findings of this review. It is hoped that I will be in a position to bring a memo to Government by the end of the year.
Finally, with regard to rural communities, it should be noted that 500 additional places under the Rural Social Scheme were announced as part of Budget 2017. My Department will be working with the various implementing bodies over the coming weeks with a view to rolling out these places as early as possible in 2017.
Treatment Benefit Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (202)
Seán Barrett
Ceist:202. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances in which persons over 70 years of age, who do not qualify for a full medical card, can receive benefits such as optical and dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32650/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Qualification for the Department’s treatment benefit scheme, which includes optical and dental benefits, is based on a person’s PRSI record, only PRSI paid at Class A, E, H, or P currently count towards qualification for the benefit. To qualify, a person aged over 66 (there is no specific rule for those aged 70+) must:
- Have paid at least 260 Class A/E/H/P PRSI contributions since first starting work, and
- Have at least 39 such contributions paid or credited in one of the relevant tax years before turning 66 or 60 (for example, if a person turned 66 in 2014, the relevant tax years to be considered would be 2011, 2012, or 2006).
The qualifying conditions for the scheme vary depending on a person’s age. Further detail is available on www.welfare.ie.
State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility
Ceisteanna (203)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:203. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection if a self-employed person (details supplied) can pay contributions up until the date of his or her 66th birthday to avail of the State pension (contributory); if these can be applied retrospectively; if contributions have yet to be made for a particular year; the process which must be followed to do this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32630/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In general PRSI is charged on income, including income from self-employment, where the individual is over 16 years and under pensionable age, currently 66 years.
Self-employed persons, who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. The payment of Class S contributions entitles self-employed workers to a range of benefits including State pension (contributory).
Where the self-employed discharge their combined tax, USC and PRSI liability through Revenue’s self assessed system of collection, a single payment is made in respect of their combined liability for all complete tax years up to and including the year in which the self-employed worker reaches 65 year, including retrospective years. It is understood that, for the individual in question, PRSI has been paid for prior years, other than his 66th year.
As Revenue do not have the facility to collect a part of year PRSI liability in respect of the individual’s 66th year, payment can be made directly to my department, where the additional contributions are required to meet the 520 paid contributions condition to qualify for State pension (contributory). Payment of PRSI self-employed contributions in the 66th year should be made to Self-employment Section, Department of Social Protection, Government Buildings, Cork Road, Waterford.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Ceisteanna (204)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:204. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32639/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 11 February 2016. Her first payment issued to her nominated bank account on the 20 October 2016 and arrears due from 11 February 2016 to 19 October 2016 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) issued on 27 October 2016. She was notified of this decision on the 03 October 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 205 withdrawn.
Carer's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (206)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:206. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal on a carer's allowance decision in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32624/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will shortly be informed of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
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 Overpayments
Ceisteanna (207)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the reason a breakdown that was requested on behalf of a person (details supplied) in respect of a social protection overpayment has not been provided, in view of the fact that this breakdown was requested in 2015; the reason the person has been issued with further notification to repay the debt when this breakdown has not been received as requested; if he will confirm that this breakdown will issue in order for the person to examine the way these arrears have been calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32666/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer’s allowance (CA) was in payment to the person concerned from 30 March 2000 to 21 October 2009 in respect of one care recipient.
Following a review, it was decided that the person concerned was not entitled to CA from 30 August 2007 to 1 August 2008 as she was working for more than 15 hours per week outside the home, contrary to the conditions for receipt of payment and that she had been paid €6,115.00 to which she was not entitled during this period.
The person concerned was notified on 28 October 2008 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt issued with the decision.
Weekly deductions of €5.00 commenced on 19 February 2009 from her carer’s allowance payment until that payment ceased on 21 October 2009.
On 6 October 2016, the person concerned was notified that she had been overpaid jobseeker’s allowance (JA) by €958.60. A breakdown of the calculation of the debt issued with the decision.
The combined debts outstanding are now €5,745.27.
The Department is obliged to recover debt owed to it as quickly as possible, having due regard to the circumstances of the debtor.
Accordingly my Department’s Debt Recovery Unit wrote to the person concerned on 7 October 2016, seeking a repayment of €100 weekly.
I will arrange for a breakdown of both these debts to re-issue to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Fuel Allowance Eligibility
Ceisteanna (208, 209)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to extend the fuel allowance scheme to illness benefit scheme recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32661/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Griffin
Ceist:209. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the fuel allowance scheme to illness benefit recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32662/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to low income households. It was paid to 390,958 recipients in 2015. The estimated cost of the scheme in 2016 is €224 million. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household. My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance as part of the household benefits package to approx. 421,000 customers, at an estimated cost of €228 million in 2016.
The fuel allowance is a means tested payment, targeted at those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. As short term payments such as illness benefits are not means tested payments, they do not qualify for the fuel allowance.
A person who has been in receipt of illness benefit for at least 12 months and who most likely will be incapable of work for at least another 12 months, or who may be permanently incapable of work, may apply for invalidity pension which is a qualifying payment for fuel allowance and the household benefits package.
The information sought by the Deputy on the estimated cost of extending the fuel allowance scheme to illness benefit recipients is not readily available to my Department as there are a number of qualifying conditions for receipt of fuel allowance. In addition to being in receipt of a qualifying payment a person must live alone or only with certain excepted people and also be unable to meet the costs of heating their home.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance to include persons in receipt of illness benefit would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Youth Unemployment Measures
Ceisteanna (210)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Ceist:210. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement with the young persons concerned in taking available training places across the further education and training sector in view of figures supplied in respect of unemployed young persons between 18 and 24 years of age in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government’s primary strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to create the right environment for a strong economic recovery through effective policies. In doing so it is hoped to promote competitiveness and productivity.
The success of this approach has been reflected in strong growth in the economy since 2012, accompanied by rising employment and falling unemployment.
In the particular instance of young people in Dublin, the number of such young people on the Live Register has fallen from 17,800 in September 2012 to 10,900 in September 2015 and 8,200 in September 2016.
Although the labour market situation is improving considerably as the recovery continues, the Government recognises the importance of a continued focus on measures to facilitate the young unemployed back into work. This is the rationale behind the Government’s Pathways to Work 2016-2020 strategy (published January 2016) and the Youth Guarantee plan (published January 2014). Pathways to Work 2016-2020 continues to prioritise YGIP measures for the young unemployed and additionally commits to: increasing the share of workplace based interventions for youth unemployed; ensuring that monthly engagement, at a minimum, is consistently applied and maintained; restructuring the First Steps programme; and implementing the Defence Forces Skills for Life programme.
The key objective under the Youth Guarantee is to help newly unemployed young people find and secure sustainable jobs. In this regard there is monthly engagement with young people by case officers to assist young people to prepare, review and, if appropriate, revise personal progression plans. As part of this process additional supports may be provided, both through reserved places on existing schemes and through youth-specific measures. Most such offers (over 70%) are in existing further education or training programmes. Others are in existing community-based employment programmes such as CE, Gateway and Tús. Overall, over 19,100 opportunities were taken up on the relevant programmes in 2015.
Where a need for a further education or training course is identified in the course of a face to face meeting with the Case Officer, a young jobseeker can be nominated for these courses through the Department of Social Protection and SOLAS IT systems.
I am satisfied these measures will help to address youth unemployment and that the engagement process with young persons in relation to taking available training places across the further and education and training sector is appropriate.
Fuel Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (211)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:211. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection how his Department can justify the refusal of fuel allowance to a person (details supplied) in receipt of a State pension whereby the person is found to be over the means test limit by 11 cent (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32726/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The purpose of the fuel allowance scheme is to assist people in need of financial support to meet their heating needs. Eligibility to the fuel allowance scheme is subject to a household means test and other qualifying conditions, such as household composition.
With regard to means, a person may have a combined household income of up to €100.00 per week over and above the maximum rate of state pension (contributory). In addition to his state pension (contributory), the person concerned is in receipt of a private pension which exceeds the permissible weekly means amount.
Regardless of every limit set there will always be individuals who will be marginally under or over; however, the limit needs to be applied consistently to be fair to all applicants. Where the household income exceeds €100.00, the application for fuel allowance will be disallowed; the Department cannot apply discretion in this matter. Since the means of the person concerned are in excess of this figure, his application for fuel allowance was disallowed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (212)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:212. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a review of a decision to refuse disability allowance to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32738/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The application for disability allowance (DA) from this lady, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and she was notified in writing of this decision on 27 August 2016.
Further evidence was received on 30 September 2016 and this is currently being reviewed by a deciding officer. The lady can expect a decision on the review of her DA application shortly. If the decision to refuse the allowance is confirmed following review, the person concerned will have the right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals
Ceisteanna (213)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review in respect of an outstanding payment due for jobseeker's allowance will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32749/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned named dwelling arrangements/living arrangements prior to declaring his residence at his current address and these have already been investigated by officials in Kildare. As a result of this investigation his claim for jobseekers allowance was disallowed in July 2015. He subsequently appealed this decision to the independent Appeals Office and the Department’s decision to disallow his claim was upheld.
In May 2016 he claimed jobseekers allowance from the family home address in Dublin 15; he has been paid his full entitlement at this address from that date. As matters stand there are no arrears due to him and no additional evidence has been supplied to warrant a review of his case. If he has additional or new evidence in relation to the decision adjudicated upon by the Appeals Office then he should bring that forward whereupon the Department may consider a revised decision or referring the matter back to the Appeals Office.
As he has not appealed the decision to award him his full entitlements from the family home address since May 2016 it is presumed that he is satisfied with this decision. However, if he wishes to adduce additional evidence then this too will be considered by the Department.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility
Ceisteanna (214)
John Brassil
Ceist:214. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current method of processing the homemakers scheme, whereby the qualifying years are discounted from the overall average and instead allow for credits for these years, as this option would be more beneficial to the homemaker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32811/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State pension contributory is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement.
One of the conditions of the State pension contributory is that a person needs a minimum of 520 weekly contributions (i.e. 10 years) paid since entering insurable employment. If a person does not have this minimum number of contributions paid, they will not generally have an entitlement to this particular pension, either at a full or reduced rate.
Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating the rate of pension entitlement. Entitlement is banded, with the maximum rate payable to those with a yearly average of 48-52 contributions, and the minimum rate payable to those with a yearly average in the range of 10-14 contributions per year. Even if someone has only 10 years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they would generally qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances, and it will not always be their most advantageous payment to claim.
The homemaker’s scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for State pension contributory (SPC) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or incapacitated people, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being calculated for pension purposes. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which the person’s contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average, making it easier for them to qualify for a maximum rate SPC. It does not involve the award of credits.
I am advised that, in most cases, the banded nature of the yearly average system means that there would not be a change in entitlements if post-1994 homemaking periods were calculated as being credits, rather than disregards. For example, if someone had 30 years contributions over 48 years, with a 12 year homemaking period from 1994-2006, their current yearly average (43.3) would attract the same 98% rate of payment as the rate if they instead had homemaker credits, which would give them a yearly average of 45.5. In most cases, current pensioners would not have homemakers scheme absences of that duration, and the difference in outcomes would be smaller again.
Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives cannot qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. Therefore, if their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility
Ceisteanna (215)
John Brassil
Ceist:215. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current criteria and extend the homemaker scheme to include years before 1994, as the current qualifying criteria is too limited and excludes the vast majority of women who left the workforce prior to 1994 to raise their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32812/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State pension contributory is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. To ensure that the individual can maximise their entitlement to a State pension, all contributions paid or credited over their working life from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account when assessing their entitlement and the level of that entitlement.
One of the conditions of the State pension contributory is that a person needs a minimum of 520 weekly contributions (i.e. 10 years) paid since entering insurable employment. If a person does not have this minimum number of contributions paid, they will not generally have an entitlement to this particular pension, either at a full or reduced rate.
Since 1961, when contributory pensions were introduced, the average contributions test has been used in calculating the rate of pension entitlement. Entitlement is banded, with the maximum rate payable to those with a yearly average of 48-52 contributions, and the minimum rate payable to those with a yearly average in the range of 10-14 contributions per year. Even if someone has only 10 years (520 weeks) of paid reckonable contributions between their 16th and 66th birthdays, they would generally qualify for a State pension (contributory), although the rate payable would vary depending on their circumstances, and it will not always be their most advantageous payment to claim.
The homemaker’s scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for State pension contributory (SPC) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age, or incapacitated people, to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being calculated for pension purposes. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which the person’s contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average, making it easier for them to qualify for a maximum rate SPC. It does not involve the award of credits.
My Department has estimated that the cost of extending the Homemakers scheme to allow people to avail of the full 20 years currently allowed under the scheme, encompassing periods prior to 1994, could cost €286 m in 2017. This figure would increase in subsequent years.
Where people who were unattached to the labour market during most of their adult lives cannot qualify for a contributory pension in their own right as they have paid few or no contributions, or cannot qualify for a full rate as a result of an intermittent PRSI record, the social protection system provides alternative methods of supporting such pensioners in old age. Therefore, if their spouse has a contributory pension, they may qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult amounting up to 90% of a full rate pension, which by default is paid directly to them. Alternatively, they may qualify for a means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), amounting up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Farm Assist Scheme Appeals
Ceisteanna (216)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:216. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a farm assist appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32814/16]
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 5 October 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.
Carer's Benefit Applications
Ceisteanna (217)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for carer's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32818/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 16 September 2016.
Further information was requested from her on 1 November 2016.
Once received the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (218)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:218. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears due to a person (details supplied) will be paid out in respect of a claim for carer’s allowance which was awarded upon appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32819/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned was in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) from 22 May 2014 to 26 August 2015 in respect of two care recipients, at the maximum weekly rate.
On 20 August 2015, the person concerned withdrew her claim to CA in writing in Mullingar Intreo, on the grounds that she would no longer be providing care from 21 August 2015.
The person concerned was notified on 24 August 2015 that her claim had stopped and that if she wished to reapply after thirteen weeks, she would need to submit a new CA application form.
To date, my department has no record of a new application from the person concerned and consequently no appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (219)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:219. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of carer's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32823/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 21 September 2016.
Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 21 October 2016. Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (220)
Pat Breen
Ceist:220. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for disability allowance will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32824/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from this lady on 30 August 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.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
Carer's Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (221)
Pat Breen
Ceist:221. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment of a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for carer's allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 3 December 2015.
As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, CA was awarded to the person concerned on 28 October 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 3 November 2016. Arrears for the period 5 November 2015 to 2 November 2016 issue shortly.
The person concerned was notified on 28 October 2016 of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.