James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9798/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person. 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 average time taken to process a claim to completion, including assessment of the claimant's means, medical condition and habitual residence status is approximately 17 weeks.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9799/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.

This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of his claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was, accordingly, disallowed by a deciding officer. The applicant has been notified of this decision and the reason for it.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9802/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that an application for carer's allowance has been received from the person in question in relation to care for the above named persons. On 7 February 2012, the case was referred to an investigative officer of this department for means assessment and confirmation that all conditions necessary for receipt of the allowance are satisfied. On completion of the necessary investigations, a decision will be made and she will be notified directly of the outcome.

Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the rationale behind the decision to refuse an application for back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); if this case will be reviewed; if so, can payment be forthcoming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9836/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was approved for a course of study under the government's springboard initiative which offers people the opportunity to study on a part-time basis while continuing to receive their existing jobseeker's payment.

As the course of study being pursued by the person concerned is not approved as a full-time course he is not entitled to the back to education allowance.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the new rates in rent supplement, what is expected of tenants in relation to landlords who do not bring their rents down in line with the reduction in rent supplement payments; if there is any protections for persons who may be unable to pay rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9838/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.

As the Department currently funds approximately 40% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review, reflect current market conditions and do not distort the market in a way that could increase rent prices for others, such as low paid workers and students.

New maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012. These new limits are in line with the most up to date market data available. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.

All new rent supplement applications are subject to these limits. Existing claims will be reassessed using the new limits; most claims are reviewed every six months, or when an existing lease expires. Where a claim is under review and the rent is above the new maximum limit the customer is being asked to contact the landlord to renegotiate the rent. Where a landlord does not agree to reduce the rent to the new rates, departmental officials will discuss the options open to the tenant up to and including seeking alternative accommodation. It is accepted that in limited circumstances rent supplement recipients may be forced to secure alternative accommodation. Such applicants will be afforded reasonable time periods to secure new accommodation. Department officials administering rent supplement will continue to ensure that the rent supplement recipients' accommodation needs are met. There will be no incidence of homelessness due to these changes.

The rent limit review will have no impact on the income of a person in receipt of rent supplement. The impact of the change in the rent limits will be on the amounts received by landlords who rent to rent supplement recipients.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for domiciliary care allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [9855/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The continued entitlement to domiciliary care allowance of the person concerned was reviewed in November 2011. The case was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who reviewed the entitlement based on the medical review form submitted and found that the child was no longer medically eligible for the allowance.

The person concerned was notified of the decision on 10th January 2012 and she has appealed the decision. As part of the appeal process, the case has been forwarded to another of the Department's Medical Assessors for further consideration, including a review of any new information supplied. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor's opinion, the case will be further reviewed and forwarded for consideration by the Appeals Office, as necessary.