Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department refused rent allowance and withdrew social welfare supports to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [44541/12]

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

The person concerned has not been refused rent supplement. A request for further information to support his application for rent supplement was sent to him on 4^th May 2012 and a second request for the same information was sent on the 2^nd July 2012. The Department has not received the required information to date. A decision will be made on his application when the information has been provided.

The Department has not withdrawn other income supports – the person is currently in receipt of a basic payment from the Department paid up to October 17^th.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason payment of rent supplement has ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44599/12]

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

Payment of supplementary welfare allowance (rent supplement) was disallowed by a Designated Person of the Department as the person concerned failed to provide up to date information as requested on two occasions by the Department.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th July 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4th September 2012 and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.