Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if and when a basic social welfare payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); if immediate steps can be taken to ensure the issue of basic payment in the interim is addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37975/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned applied for Jobseekers Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance. To qualify for these payments, an applicant must satisfy a mean test. This test involves an applicant declaring all sources of income and providing the necessary documents requested by the investigating officer as verifiable evidence.

Both claims were disallowed because she did not provide all the necessary documentation despite being informed, both verbally and in writing, of the consequences.

Local officers have made every effort to facilitate the person concerned and paid an Exceptional Needs Payment. She was advised, again both verbally and in writing, of her right of appeal the original decisions but there is no record of an appeal having been made to date.

The person concerned may still appeal these decisions, or make a new claim in respect of Jobseekers Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance, but she should be aware of her obligation to cooperate with any investigation of entitlements. 

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.