Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 139: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when one-parent family payment is likely to be awarded in the case of a person (details suppled) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10538/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An inspector from the Department will complete her report on the one-parent family payment application of the person concerned in the coming week and a decision will be made on her application as soon as possible thereafter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the basis on which disability and jobseeker's allowance were refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10539/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 6 July 2010. The medical evidence supplied with his claim was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the claim was refused and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 2 November 2010. Further medical evidence received was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was also of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the original decision to refuse the claim remained unchanged. The person was notified in writing of this outcome on 30 December 2010. If the person's circumstances have changed it is open to him to re-apply for disability allowance.

The person applied for jobseeker's allowance on 24 February 2009. This application was disallowed as the person failed to fully disclose his weekly means. The person was notified in writing of this outcome. The person's spouse is currently in receipt of a qualified adult allowance in respect of him on her jobseeker's allowance claim.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if reduction or deduction of rent support in respect of any previous overpayment has been made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10540/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deductions of €40 per month are being made from the monthly rent supplement payable to the person concerned in respect of overpayments which occurred during the periods October 2004 to May 2006 and September 2009 to September 2010.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if partial rent support or family income supplement is available in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10542/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A number of factors are taken into account, including household income, in establishing entitlement to rent supplement and family income supplement. The person concerned should apply to the department's representative at Clonskeagh Health Centre, Vergemount Hall, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14 (opening hours 10.00 am to 11.30 am Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) to establish if she has an entitlement to rent allowance.

In relation to family income supplement, an information leaflet giving full details of the qualifying conditions and an application form has been posted to the person concerned.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 143: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer's allowance is being refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this enquiry will be used as a basis for appeal or grounds for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10543/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person in question was refused carer's allowance on the grounds that he is self employed outside the home for more than 15 hours per week. This decision was based on the social welfare investigative officer's findings following interview with the claimant at his home address on 20 December 2011 and on 30 January 2012. He was notified of this decision on 9 February 2011. If the situation has changed, the person concerned may furnish relevant details outlining the hours he is self employed on his farm on a daily basis and, additionally, how his farm is managed in his absence. On receipt of this information his file will be returned to the social welfare investigative officer for review and confirmation that all conditions for receipt of carer's allowance are satisfied. Alternatively, he may appeal the decision directly and in writing to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 144: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding social welfare cuts and retained fire-fighters; when a decision on the review of this particular situation will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10548/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Taking account of the circumstances of retained fire brigade personnel and general efforts to develop and standardise our jobseeker schemes, a departmental group was established in late 2011 to examine the position of these workers vis-À-vis jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance. Deliberations on this issue are currently being finalised. My officials will be in touch with relevant deputies in this regard in due course.