Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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409. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5255/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 December 2020.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection.  These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20 January 2020.

The case will now be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.  Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone.  Due to the current level of Covid-19 restrictions in-person oral appeal hearings have been suspended.

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 in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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410. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5256/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that an application from the person concerned for disability allowance (DA) was received by the Department on 30 November 2020.  

The processing time for individual DA 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.

The application has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances.  Once the SWI has submitted his/her report to DA section, a decision will be made on the application and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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411. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5257/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 16 October 2020.  Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that the person concerned was substantially restricted in taking up employment.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 15 January 2021 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).  No request for an appeal or review has been received to date.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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412. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5259/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Following a review of the entitlement of the person concerned, it was found that he had a decrease in his means from his previous assessment.  Based on the information provided to my Department, an increased personal rate of disability allowance (DA) was awarded with effect from 4 November 2020. 

A letter issued to this gentleman informing him of this on 7 December 2020.  His first payment was on 16 December 2020.  Arrears of payment due have issued to the person concerned.

Free fuel allowance is a means tested payment, payable to people who either live alone or only with certain other qualified people.  Based on the information provided to the Department, the person concerned no longer qualifies for this allowance as their household now includes people who are not in a qualifying category.

When a person is in receipt of DA and their child is in full-time education, an increase for a qualified child (IQC) will be paid up to 22 years of age or up to the end of the academic year in which he or she reaches 22.  The person concerned was requested to submit confirmation of participation in full-time education in respect of his daughter.

The IQC rate has been re-instated on his DA with effect from 14 October 2020.  He was informed in writing of this decision on 28 January 2021.  Arrears of allowance due have issued to the person concerned. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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413. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5260/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 21 October 2020.  He was notified of this decision in writing on 26 November 2020.

The first payment was made by his chosen payment method on 2 December 2020. Arrears of payment due have issued to the person concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.