Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when one parent family allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2927/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned claimed one parent family payment from 21 May 2009. His claim was disallowed on 11 September 2009 as he failed to disclose his means. He lodged an appeal on 30 September 2009 and his file was sent to an inspector for a review of his case. The inspector contacted the person concerned on 9 October 2009 and requested a P45 or a letter from his employer and bank statements. As the details requested were not furnished, the inspector contacted him again by telephone on 9 November 2009 and advised him to contact her if he had any difficulty in furnishing the required details. Some details were subsequently received but a number of the documents requested remain outstanding.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance. The community welfare officer was contacted on 19 January 2010 and has advised that the person concerned has been requested to furnish documentation relating to his means. The community welfare officer has undertaken to forward copies of any documentation received directly to the inspector so that the review can proceed.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the relevant section of her Department will confirm that for the purposes of qualification for an old age pension on foot of self employment contributions in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare a partnership exists; if, in view of a readjustment or division of contribution requirements, a specific amount of pension will be payable without incurring a liability for retrospective contributions in the event that they fail to qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2928/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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To date, no application for commercial partnership has been received in the case of the person mentioned (details supplied). To qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) a number of conditions must be satisfied, including the condition that a person must have entered into Social Insurance before attaining age 56. Department's records show that the person concerned first paid self-employment contributions on 6th April 1991. As she attained aged 56 on 1st October 1984 she had not entered insurance prior to age 56 and could not, therefore, qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2929/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for Carer's Allowance on 30 December 2009. On 5 January 2010 the case was referred to an Investigative Officer of this Department for means assessment and confirmation that the conditions necessary for receipt of the allowance are satisfied. On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and he will be notified directly 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for one parent family allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2935/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned claimed one-parent family payment from 24 April 2008. The claim was disallowed on 12 January 2009 on the grounds that she was not a qualified parent for the purpose of the one parent family payment scheme. She appealed the deciding officer's decision on 19 January 2009 and the decision was upheld by an appeals officer on 7 September 2009.

The person concerned made a new application for one-parent family payment on 8 October 2009. Having discussed the application with her, the deciding officer considered that as there was no change in her circumstances since the appeal hearing the previous month, the previous decision stood and advised her of the position.

It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for the one-parent family payment in the event of a change in her circumstances.