Written answers

Thursday, 18 June 2009

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Appeals

6:00 am

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be held for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that they were told that an oral hearing would be held in December 2008. [24312/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for Invalidity Pension on 8 July 2008. The application was disallowed by the Deciding Officer on 10 September 2008, following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that the person concerned did not meet the medical requirements for Invalidity Pension.

The person appealed against this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 22 September 2008 and in accordance with the statutory requirements in relation to appeals the relevant departmental papers and comments of the Department were sought.

The person concerned also lodged a separate appeal against a decision relating to Illness Benefit. A further medical examination was considered necessary and this was held on 13 November 2008. The person contacted the Department in early December 2008 to request an oral hearing but it was not possible at that stage to give any indication as to when this could be arranged. The relevant documentation has been passed to the Appeals Officer and the person concerned will be notified as soon as the arrangements for a hearing in place.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office to the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if rent allowance or financial support will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [24325/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The position remains as advised in Parliamentary Question 326 which I answered for the Deputy on 19 May 2009.

The Executive has advised that payment of rent supplement to the person concerned was stopped as she has refused three offers of accommodation by her local authority in a period of 18 months. She has appealed against this decision.

The Executive has further advised that the Appeals Officer will be in contact with the person concerned when a decision has been made on her appeal.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if and when payment will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24377/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for job seekers allowance from 6 November 2008 and her claim was refused by a Deciding Officer on the grounds that the person did not satisfy the habitual residence condition. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal from the person concerned was received by that Office on 3 March 2009. In accordance with the statutory requirements the relevant departmental papers and comments of the Social Welfare Services were sought and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of this Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

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