Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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459. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57867/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

The person concerned was awarded full rate CA from 27 October 2022. Payment will issue to the person’s nominated bank account on 24 November 2022. Arrears of allowance due from 27 October 2022 to 23 November 2022 will issue shortly.

The person concerned was notified on 17 November 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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460. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) is not in receipt of the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57878/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support scheme for farmers and fishers who have an entitlement to specified welfare payments. RSS is delivered through a network of 36 Local Development Companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta, collectively known as Implementing Bodies.

Entitlement to fuel allowance is subject to a means test that takes account of all household income. While the person concerned is an RSS Participant, their spouse is in employment and also receives the Working Family Payment. Accordingly, the overall household income is in excess of the fuel allowance limit and the person concerned is not entitled to receive a fuel allowance payment.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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462. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to an issue (details supplied) being experienced by haulage drivers when they attempt to claim social welfare during periods of unemployment; if she will take steps to remedy the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57914/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A Jobseeker’s payment is paid for days of unemployment and a person must satisfy all the conditions of the Jobseeker’s scheme including being capable of work, available for and genuinely seeking full time work.

Employees who are temporarily laid-off for example, where they expect to return to the same employment at a later date, are not entitled to a Jobseeker's payment in respect of any day for which they receive holiday pay. However, the specific details of the issue with regard to a banked overtime savings scheme would need to be examined to determine the facts around the arrangements in place for the employees concerned.

If the Deputy provides details of these Jobseeker's claims I will arrange for the issue to be examined further.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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463. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the renewal of the working family payment for a person (details supplied); when the payment can be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57953/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Working Family Payment (WFP), formerly Family Income Supplement, is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least 1 qualified child who normally resides with them.

An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 12th September 2022. The department requested further information, and this was submitted. The WFP application was reviewed by a deciding officer and WFP has been awarded at a rate of €231.00 per week from 6th October 2022 to 4th October 2023. The person concerned has been advised in writing of their award and arrears have issued to their nominated bank account.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.