Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the procedures in place to ensure that the fuel allowance is no longer paid when a person is admitted to long-term nursing home care. [12378/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Fuel Allowance is paid to eligible people from the date they apply for the allowance. The majority of people apply when they are applying for a primary social welfare payment and the primary payment and fuel allowance are put into payment at the same time.

The Department, when issuing award letters and other communications, advises the person that they must notify the Department of any changes in their circumstances, including a change of address. In general a person moving into long-term nursing or other institutional care notifies the Department of their change of address.

The Department, as part of its ongoing control strategy, undertakes periodic reviews in order to determine customers' continuing eligibility for pension. Letters issue to customers requesting them to confirm their ongoing entitlement to payment and to certify changes, if any, in their circumstances. Follow-up action is taken where no reply is received from the customer or where the letter is returned undelivered.

I am committed to ensuring that social welfare payments are available to those who are entitled to them. I am also determined to ensure that abuse of the system or errors in payment are prevented and are dealt with effectively when detected.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved jobseeker's benefit. [12408/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned has been awarded jobseeker's benefit with effect from 22 December, 2008. His current weekly rate of payment is €203.90. This payment includes an increase in respect of a qualified adult. A payment of €1,631.20, which included all arrears due, issued to him on 23 February, 2009.

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.