Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 986: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the one-parent family payment for a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [1962/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned is in receipt of a one-parent family payment since 18 May 2006. Her rate of payment was based on a means assessment of €85.00 per week derived from maintenance payments and insurable earnings, which was calculated at the time of her application. At the request of the person concerned her entitlement has been reviewed and a Deciding Officer has accepted that no maintenance payments were received by her since 28 September, 2006. Accordingly, the Deciding Officer revised her means assessment from that date. Her new weekly rate of payment is €285.80. Arrears of €7,812.50 will issue to her shortly. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 991: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is in receipt of illness benefit at present; and the amount he or she is receiving. [2119/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of Illness Benefit, at the maximum rate, to the person concerned was discontinued from 10th January 2008 following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed this decision and, in the context of that appeal, his case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion he was capable of work. I am advised that having considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, the appeal was disallowed by the Appeals Officer. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 992: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved jobseeker's allowance. [2120/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for a jobseeker's allowance payment on 18 December 2008. His claim is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation of his circumstances. On completion of enquiries, a decision will be made as soon as possible and he will be notified of the outcome. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 993: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded jobseeker's allowance. [2122/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for a jobseeker's allowance payment on 8 January 2009. His claim is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation of his circumstances. On completion of enquiries, a decision will be made as soon as possible and he will be notified of the outcome. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.