Written answers

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

9:00 pm

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the arrangements being made in relation to the new electronic system for the collection of State pensions to ensure that a spouse can collect the pension at local post offices if the pensioner is incapacitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19735/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department and An Post are working on a solution to enable a person who collects their payment using a social services card to have an agent appointed if that becomes necessary. This solution will be rolled out from June 2008. In the meantime, if a person who normally collects his/her payment by card is unable to collect the payment for a short period, they can nominate a family member or friend to act as an agent on their behalf. The agent can complete a form at the post office and will be able to collect the payment on or after its due date. For longer term requirements, and until the permanent solution is in place, a letter will issue from the Department enabling a designated person to collect the payment.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way her Department expects a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to live on jobseeker's allowance of €64.10 per week in view of the fact that they have no other current income. [19744/08]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way she expects persons (details supplied) in County Mayo to live on an income in May 2008 based on earnings from December 2007-January 2008; and if this person's rate of jobseeker's allowance will be immediately reviewed based on their current self-employment means of nil. [19746/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 337 together.

The person concerned, who is a self-employed carpenter, applied for jobseeker's allowance on 18 April 2008. A Deciding Officer assessed his weekly means at €356.00 and awarded the allowance to him at the weekly rate of €69.10 from 22 April 2008. A first payment issued to him on 12 May 2008. The means assessment in this case is based on records supplied by the person concerned in relation to earnings for 12 months prior to April 2008. He appealed the Deciding Officer's decision on 14 May 2008, and his means are being reviewed currently. He will be notified of the outcome of this review. 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 Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the jobseeker's allowance decision for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that they were assessed with means from self-employment based on historical income rather than actual current means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19745/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A Deciding Officer disallowed the jobseeker's allowance claim of the person concerned from 19 November 2007 on the grounds that his means were in excess of the maximum rate payable. He was assessed with weekly means of €442.00. This includes means of €48.10 from self-employment and €393.93 (rounded to €394.00) from spouse's income. He appealed this decision and the Appeals Officer, having considered all the available evidence, upheld the Deciding Officer's decision. An Appeals Officer's decision is final in the absence of new facts, or fresh evidence. 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.

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