Written Answers Nos. 183-199
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will arrange for the urgent re-evaluation of an application for rent support in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5134/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs detailed to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question No 108 of 26th January 2017, the client concerned was requested to provide documentation on 6/1/17 and 24/1/17 relating to the financial settlement received from the sale of the former family home. The requested documentation has not, to date, been received by the Department. As also detailed in that response, Rent Supplement is a means tested payment and the Department is unable to assess an application until receipt of all documentation. The Deputy should note that this information is required prior to 7/2/17.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) to facilitate unforeseen costs associated with housing relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5137/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has received financial assistance on three occasions from the Department in relation to housing relocation, furniture and appliance needs, the latest being the 9 August, 2016.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted a recent application for financial assistance towards the cost of housing relocation. It is open to the person concerned to submit an application for financial assistance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a back to education allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5138/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was previously approved for Back to Education Allowance in July, 2014. Following a review of her claim in November 2016, it was discovered that the person concerned dropped out of their course and was no longer entitled to a BTEA payment.
The child of the person concerned is now over 7 years old and under the guidelines for a One Parent Family payment (OFP) when the Child Dependant reaches 7 years of age the customer must apply for a JST (Jobseekers Transitional payment) or a Jobseekers Allowance (JA) payment. Customers in receipt of JST can participate on approved education and training programmes up to and including a level 10 on the National Qualifications Framework and continue to receive their JST/JA payment.
The person concerned should attend their local branch Office in Maynooth and make an application for a JST/JA payment. It is then open to the person concerned on a JST/JA payment to make an application for a BTEA if they wish to pursue further studies.
My office can assist further if required.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5143/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is in contact with this lady with proposals for the recovery of the debt. The debt recovery officer is still awaiting a response to the recovery proposal sent to the person concerned on 16 November 2016. A reminder issued to this lady on 13 January 2017.
The person in question was awarded disability allowance with effect from 10 August 2016 and first payment was 5 October 2016. Disability allowance has remained in payment since that date.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a FIS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5146/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to qualify for Family Income Supplement (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).
Also, the weekly family income must be below the set income limit for the family size which is based on the number of qualified children in the family.
Entitlement to FIS can only be determined on receipt of a completed application form. FIS is payable from the first Thursday after FIS Section receives the application form.
An application form will be issued to the person concerned today and when it is returned, the claim will be processed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker's benefit will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5148/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for jobseeker’s benefit was submitted in the case of the person concerned with effect from 16 January 2017. This status of this application is currently pending. Further information was requested from the person concerned in order to complete the application process. The application will be examined and a decision will issue on receipt of the outstanding information.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. Please contact my office should you need any further assistance.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a basic social welfare payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5150/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for a basic supplementary welfare allowance payment. It is open to the person concerned to contact the local Community Welfare Service in order to make an appointment either by phoning 01 6303196 or by emailing cwscelbridgekilcock@welfare.ie.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If you require any further assistance with this query please do not hesitate to contact my office.
190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5222/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this man on 19 October 2016.
On 17 January 2017 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on his eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5223/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this lady on 21 October 2016.
On 19 January 2017 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5224/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 24 January 2017, 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.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5225/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis man has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 17 August 2016. The first payment was made by his chosen payment method on 11 January 2017.
Arrears of payment due issued to the person on 10 January 2017.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5228/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis gentleman submitted an application for disability allowance on 7 June 2016.
The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused as he was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for his circumstances. He was notified in writing of this decision on 26 January 2017 and of his rights of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
195. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 6 December 2016. However, the hearing was adjourned in order to allow the provision of additional information. On receipt of the additional evidence the Appeals Officer will schedule a further 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.
196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5230/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 13 October 2016. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 16 February 2017. Any arrears due from 13 October 2016 to 15 February 2017 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 31 January 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
197. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5232/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing in this case on 1 February 2017. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements for the 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.
198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5233/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department is required to carry out periodic reviews to confirm that recipients continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of their payments. A review of the continued medical eligibility for IP of the lady concerned was undertaken and a deciding officer has decided that she continues to satisfy the conditions for receipt of IP. She was notified directly of this decision on 31 January 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5234/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of Invalidity Pension (IP).
Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a Social Welfare scheme which allows a person, who may not have full capacity for work, return to employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. A person who applies for PCB will, in the first instance, be assessed by a medical assessor who will assess the restriction on their capacity for work.
An application for PCB has been received from the person concerned and has been referred for assessment to the Medical Adviser (MA) who has been asked to expedite this case. When the MA’s opinion has been received, the matter will be considered further and the person concerned will be notified of the position.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
