Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will restore jobseekers allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35615/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for one parent family payment in January 2010 at Navan Local Office. She was interviewed by an Inspector in February 2010 and was requested to submit further details in support of her application, which she failed to submit.

On 15 September 2010 the person concerned requested to have her application transferred to Tallaght Local Office. Her file has been referred to an Inspector in Tallaght for an investigation of her current circumstances.

According to the records of the Department no application for jobseeker's allowance has been received in respect of the person concerned.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when back to education will be approved and paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35616/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned was approved for a back to education allowance on 7 September 2010. Payment of the allowance will be processed through his bank account with effect from 7 October 2010. The annual allowance towards the cost of his studies will issue to him in the next few weeks.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent support was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35617/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was in receipt of mortgage interest supplement of €445.70 per month based on the household income from jobseekers benefit and earnings from part-time employment. The HSE has further advised the person concerned is now in receipt of mortgage interest supplement of €399.40 per month as both the person concerned and his spouse are now in receipt of full rate jobseekers benefit payments.

Social Welfare payments, including jobseekers benefit, are assessable in full for mortgage interest supplement purposes and are not eligible for the additional household income disregard. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the HSE he can appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when disability allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35618/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for Disability Allowance on 11 November 2008. On 18 June 2009 he was awarded disability allowance from 12 November 2008 and he is currently in receipt of the maximum weekly payment of €196.00, plus an increase for three qualified children of €89.40 and a fuel allowance of €20.00.

The person applied to have his claim backdated to July 2008 as he had ceased employment on 30 June 2008. This application was refused by a Deciding Officer on 6 August 2009 and the person was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office

There is a requirement under social welfare legislation that claims for disability allowance must be made within seven days from the date of entitlement to the allowance. However, provision is made in the legislation to make payments, within certain limits, where there is 'good cause' for the late claim.

The person subsequently appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The file was sent to the Social Welfare Inspector to clarify some aspects of the claim and I understand the Inspector will have the investigation completed shortly. A Deciding Officer will again examine the case in light of the Inspector's report and if it is decided to backdate the claim the person will be notified directly. If the Deciding Officer decides not to backdate the claim the file will be sent to the Appeals Office and the person will be contacted directly by that Office.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if rent allowance is payable retrospectively to June 2008 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35619/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned made an application for rent supplement on 29 June 2009 and was awarded rent supplement from 1 July 2009. The HSE further advised that the person concerned has not requested rent supplement to be payable from June 2008. If the person concerned wishes to make an application for arrears of rent supplement he should contact the HSE at his local health centre.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted jobseeker's allowance [35649/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned has no current jobseeker's allowance application. She is attending a VTOS course.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the domiciliary care allowance [35653/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 16th September 2010. This application together with medical reports has been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for a medical opinion on the case. Upon receipt of this opinion a decision will issue to the person concerned. Currently it takes approximately eight weeks to process an application.