Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is only receiving €180.40 per week disability allowance in view of the fact that they have no other income. [35302/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned has been receiving disability allowance since April 2001. Under the legislative provisions that apply to disability allowance all income which the claimant has, subject to certain exceptions, is assessable as means. At the time she applied for the allowance she was receiving maintenance from her spouse and this was assessed as means resulting in a reduced rate of payment. From May 2003 maintenance payments up to €95.23 per week could be disregarded as being towards meeting housing costs and half of the balance of the maintenance assessed as means. The person concerned was paying rent in respect of her home, but this was overlooked in reviewing her means. Due to this oversight her means were not adjusted and she did not receive an increase in her disability allowance. Her means have now been reviewed and she has been awarded the maximum rate of disability allowance, backdated to 7th May 2003. Her payment book has been amended and she will receive the increased rate of payment from 1st November 2006. The arrears due will issue to her on 2nd November 2006.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of the application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 for disability allowance. [35319/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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While the person concerned satisfies the medical criteria for the award of disability allowance, it has not been possible to determine his means. He was interviewed by appointment on 19 April 2006. When the Social Welfare inspector subsequently called to the address he was informed that the person concerned was not resident at that address and had not resided there for several years. Accordingly, his claim was refused as his means could not be determined. He has been advised of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. 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.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to subsidise refuse collection for carers who are looking after someone who is in need of support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness, who require the disposal of incontinence products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35328/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Supporting and recognising carers in our society has been a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended. The introduction of waivers or subsidies in respect of waste charges is, as stated by my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a matter for each local authority. Waste collection and charging arrangements vary considerably and the introduction of a national social welfare scheme to address the issue would be complex given the wide range of charging regimes and cost structures that exist. Some local authorities already operate waiver schemes and any system put in place to assist people with waste collection charges would have to take account of the implications for the different local arrangements which currently apply. I have asked my Department to continue to explore possible options in this area.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the income of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the breakdown of their income over a 12-month period; the way their income is calculated in relation to their entitlement to the fuel allowance; the way the income from abroad is broken down; the amount they are in excess of the guidelines, as they receive their pension only monthly; and the way their income for the year is divided. [35356/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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To qualify for a payment under the national fuel scheme, the income of a person over age 80 must not exceed a weekly threshold of €254.30. The weekly threshold comprises the maximum weekly rate of Social Welfare Contributory Pension of €203.30 (in this person's case) plus €51. The person concerned reapplied for Fuel Allowance on 27 October 2006. She has not disclosed the amount of her savings. She has two pensions from the United States amounting to $1,600.58 which equates to $19,206.96 per annum, or $369.36 per week. Using the appropriate conversion rate, this amounts to €289.84, which exceeds the weekly income threshold. Accordingly, her application for Fuel Allowance has been disallowed. The person concerned has been notified accordingly.