Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not been facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35379/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Person concerned applied for basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance on 27 October 2011. The Designated Officer decided that the she was not entitled to the allowance as she failed to establish that she is habitually resident in the State. She has the right to appeal this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. A form for this purpose has been issued to her.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for carer's allowance and carer's benefit in 2010; the number of applications refused; the numbers of these refusals in which the decision was appealed to the social welfare appeals office; the number of appeals upheld; the corresponding figures to date in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35396/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The figures you request in respect of carer's allowance are as follows:

In 2010, 16,629 new carer's allowance claims were processed and 6,972 (or just under 42%) were refused in the year. 10,497 new claims were processed to the end of September 2011, of which 3,921 (or just over 37%) were refused. These figures relate to the initial decision made on each application.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that 2,969 carer's allowance appeals were received in 2010 and that 1,838 carer's allowance appeals were received between 1 January 2011 and 31 October 2011.

During 2010 a total 2,154 appeals were concluded, of which 1,215 (56%) had a successful outcome for the appellant. The relevant figures for 2011 (to end October) are 2,602 appeals concluded, of which 1,288 (49.5%) had a successful outcome.

While roughly 52.5% of the combined totals (2,503) had a successful outcome for appellants, over half of these decisions (1,283) were in fact revised decisions made by deciding officers in carer's allowance section, who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. These revised decisions arose primarily as a result of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the initial decision on his/her claim. In such cases an appeals officer's decision was not necessary.

Of the 1,459 carer's appeals determined by appeals officers in 2010, 520 were allowed or partially allowed (35.64%). In 2011, the relevant number allowed by appeals officers was 700 (just under 35%).

The figures you request in respect of carer's benefit are as follows:

In 2010, 2,095 new carer's benefit claims were processed and 713 (or just over 34%) were refused in the year. 1,849 new claims were received to the 14 November 2011, of which 668 (or just over 36%) were refused.

These figures relate to the initial decision made on each application.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that 180 carer's benefit appeals were received in 2010 and 140 carer's benefit appeals have been received in 2011 (to 31 October 2011).

During 2010 a total 178 appeals were determined of which 98 (55%) had a successful outcome for the appellant. The relevant figures for 2011 are 146 appeals determined, of which 100 (68.49%) had a successful outcome.

While roughly 61% of the combined totals (324) had a successful outcome for appellants, 131 of these decisions (40.43%) were in fact revised decisions made by deciding officers in the carer's benefit section of the Department, who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. These revised decisions arose as a result, in many cases, of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the original decision on his/her claim. In such cases an appeals officers's decision was not necessary.

Of the 109 carer's benefit appeals determined by appeals officers in 2010, 29 were allowed or partially allowed (26.61%), while in 2011 the relevant number allowed or partially allowed by appeals officers was 38 (45.24%).

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent support has been disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35425/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community welfare service (CWS) and the community welfare officers providing it transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP. The person concerned was disallowed rent supplement on the 9th of November 2011. The person concerned was requested to provide a housing needs assessment from his local Authority, a request which was never complied with. The person concerned was also not in a position to afford the rent at the commencement of the tenancy. The person concerned has been informed of his right to appeal this decision.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Social Protection having regard to whether all documentation requested has been received by her in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, if qualification for rent support now only applies in the case of the parent with sole custody; if payment will now issue in the case of this applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35427/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community welfare service (CWS) and the community welfare officers providing it transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP.

The person concerned applied for rent supplement for a 2 bed roomed accommodation. He is a single person with access to his child for 1- 2 nights per week. The person concerned failed to provide any evidence he was involved in the care of the child prior to moving into private rented accommodation. Based on the circumstances of this case, the person concerned was deemed to have a 1 bedroom accommodation need and was advised of his right to appeal to the Chief Appeals Office.