John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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567. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will expedite the response or provide an oral hearing. [19941/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Following a review of the entitlement to disability allowance (DA) of this lady, payment stopped as she was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit. Notification of this decision issued to her on 22 February 2017. She was also advised of her right to seek a review and/or appeal that decision. To date no such request has been received.

DA is a means tested scheme and the way means are assessed is laid down in social welfare legislation. In summary any income, with some exceptions, belonging to the person and his/her spouse, partner or co-habitant is assessable as means for disability allowance purposes. It is the nature of means tested schemes that there is no entitlement to a payment once means exceed a given amount. There is no discretion allowed as deciding officers are obliged to follow the legislation when assessing means.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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568. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19946/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance from this gentleman on 21 March 2017. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.