Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

7:00 pm

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the application for carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being held up in view of the fact that all information has already been submitted to his Department and was applied for in September 2006. [42162/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person concerned applied for an increase in her carer's allowance in respect of a second care recipient on 13 September 2006.

The case was referred to an Investigative Officer of my Department to establish that all the conditions for receipt of the allowance are satisfied in respect of both care recipients. The Investigative Officer's report indicated that while full time care and attention is being provided to the second care recipient, full time care and attention is no longer being provided to the first care recipient. A letter issued to the person concerned on 5 December 2006, informing her that her entitlement to Carers Allowance in respect of the first care recipient is currently under review and affording her the opportunity to submit, within 21 days, any statement or evidence she may wish to make available to the Deciding Officer. In the meantime, the current rate will remain in payment and she has been awarded an increase in the allowance in respect of the second care recipient with effect from 14 September 2006.

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.

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the details of entitlement to a back to education allowance; if a person in receipt of a one parent family allowance can also receive a back to education allowance on their return to college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42190/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities programme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force.

To qualify for participation in the scheme a person must be, at least 21 years of age (18 for people with disabilities) and in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for 6 months if pursuing a second level course and 12 months if pursuing a third level course. Persons in receipt of an unemployment payment for 9 months may pursue a third level course if they are participating in the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) process.

Lone parents and persons in receipt of an unemployment payment can participate in the scheme if they are between 18 to 20 years of age and out of formal education for at least 2 years. This provision is subject to satisfying the qualifying period in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment.

The back to education allowance is a social welfare replacement income which is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the relevant social welfare payment that qualifies the applicant for participation in the scheme. The allowance is not payable in addition to another social welfare payment.

The allowance also has a number of other features attaching to it. It is payable for the duration of the course of study, which in the case of lone parents includes all holiday periods. The scheme itself is not means tested and, consequently, lone parents may take up part-time employment during the academic year and full-time employment during the summer period without affecting their payment. In addition, participants receive a cost of education allowance of €400 which is payable at the beginning of each academic year. Participants may also retain entitlement to any secondary benefits they had while in receipt of the relevant social welfare payment that qualified them for participation in the scheme.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 143: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to full disability payment while their case is on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42233/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person concerned claimed Illness Benefit in January 2005. Her entitlement was reviewed in November this year and, on the basis of the opinion of a Medical Assessor that she was capable of work, a Deciding Officer disallowed her claim with effect from 18 November 2006. This decision is currently under appeal by the person concerned.

While Illness Benefit cannot be paid to a person who has been found capable of work, such persons can apply for Jobseeker's Benefit. In this case the person concerned did apply for Jobseeker's Benefit on 4 December and that claim has now been awarded with effect from 21 November 2006. The first payment will be available in the post office on Monday 11 December 2006.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.