Written answers

Thursday, 21 May 2009

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position with regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if they are in receipt of the free schemes and the fuel allowance; if they are on a full rate of invalidity pension; and if they are receiving the living alone allowance and all other entitlements due to them. [20746/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Disability Allowance is a weekly Allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment and a means test.

The person concerned is currently receiving Disability Allowance at the reduced weekly rate of €194.30 plus €7.70 Living Alone Allowance which gives a weekly total of €202.00. She was assessed with means from capital.

Her file is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for a means review and she will make arrangements to interview the person concerned shortly in order to determine her current means. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome upon receipt of the Social Welfare Inspector's report.

The person concerned is also in receipt of the Free Fuel Allowance of €23.90 which is payable weekly from September to April and a Free Travel Pass and the Free Schemes i.e. Electricity, T.V. and Telephone allowance.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when social welfare payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20791/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned made an application for jobseeker's allowance on 20 January 2009 at Maynooth branch office indicating a different address from that outlined by the Deputy. His application has not been finalised as details of his means and his residency have not yet been established.

The person concerned has not notified the Department of a change of address. If he has changed address he should contact the local social welfare office for the area in which he is now resident.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded jobseeker's allowance. [20808/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 13 May 2009. A Deciding Officer has disallowed his claim on the grounds that his means, derived from benefit of spouse's earnings, exceed the maximum jobseeker's allowance payable to a person in his circumstances. It is open to him to appeal this decision and he can contact his Social Welfare Local Office in this regard.

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 185: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused jobseeker's allowance. [20813/09]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded farm assist. [20815/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.

There is no record of a recent jobseeker's allowance application from the person concerned. Until 12 January 2009, he was in receipt of jobseeker's benefit while in part-time employment. His benefit exhausted on that date. He re-applied for benefit on 21 January, 2009. His average income per day from his employment and whether his farm is jointly owned with his spouse are relevant to his entitlement and are currently being investigated. When these enquiries are completed a decision will be made as soon as possible and he will be notified of the outcome.

His recent farm assist application is also being investigated at present.

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 187: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an overpayment should not have to be repaid and that it should be cancelled as per section 246 (1) (a) and (b) of S.I. No. 142 of 2007, in view of the fact that it was an error by her Department and not by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20830/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for Carer's Benefit on 22 November, 2006 in respect of one care recipient. She was awarded Carer's Benefit in respect of him from 1 June, 2006 to 28 May, 2008. Her first payment of Carer's Benefit was credited to her bank account on 14 December, 2006, and an arrears payment was also credited to her bank account on this date which paid her Carer's Benefit for the period 1 June, 2006 to 13 December, 2006 and included a payment for Respite Care Grant of Eur 1,200.00. The award letter that issued to her on 6 December, 2006 informed her that payment included a Respite Care Grant of Eur 1,200.00. She had also applied for the Respite Care Grant in respect of this care recipient to the Respite Care Grant Section on 31 August, 2006 and this was paid on 25 October, 2006.

A natural justice letter issued to her on 22 February, 2008 informing her that she received two Respite Care Grants in respect of this care recipient in 2006, this letter also afforded her the opportunity to furnish within 21 days of the date of that letter, any statement or evidence she wished to make available to the Deciding Officer in the matter. No reply was received to this letter. Therefore, having regard to Section 302 (b) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, a deciding officer found that the person concerned was not entitled to the Respite Care Grant which she received from Carer's Benefit Section in 2006. Accordingly she was overpaid by Eur 1,200.00 and this sum is recoverable by the Department.

She was notified of this decision and of her right of appeal to the Independent Social Welfare Appeals Office on 22 April, 2009. An appeal has now been opened by the Social Welfare Appeals Office who will contact her in due course. 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 188: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded the one parent family payment in view of the fact that all requested information has been submitted. [20860/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The application for one-parent family payment from the person concerned is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector, whose investigations are ongoing. On completion of enquiries a decision will be made and she will be notified of the outcome. 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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