Written answers

Thursday, 24 March 2011

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Appeals

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which jobseeker's allowance was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if and when it is expected to restore payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5633/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Payment of jobseeker's allowance is subject to a means test. Following a review of the allowance the person concerned was assessed with the capital value of farmland which she owns but is not using or leasing. As her means were in excess of the statutory limits for receipt of the allowance, her claim was refused with effect from 12 August 2009.

While a formal decision issued to her advising that her claim had been disallowed, unfortunately an administrative error was made in recording this decision. She was inadvertently paid jobseeker's allowance, equivalent to the full personal qualified adult rate and two child dependant rates from 12 August 2009 to 15 February 2011.

She was notified of this decision to disallow her claim on the grounds that her means were in excess of the statutory limit for award of jobseeker's allowance and she appealed this decision.

Her appeal was subsequently heard by a social welfare appeals officer on 15 February 2011 who, having considered all the available evidence, disallowed her appeal after conducting an oral hearing. Her payment to jobseeker's allowance was disallowed on foot of the appeals determination.

The person concerned then applied for and is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance at weekly rate of €370.40 from 17 February 2011 and a mortgage interest subsidy of €887.33 per month and this is now being investigated.

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