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

331. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for the back to education allowance can be reconsidered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49439/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person concerned was awarded a Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) payment from 31/08/2021. He made an application for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) on 30/09/2021 to pursue the 4^thyear of a Computer Science degree which had commenced in Maynooth University on 22/09/2021.

There are a number of qualifying criteria for receipt of BTEA for the Third Level option. One of these is that the applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for a minimum of 9 months and the applicant must also be entering the 1^styear of a course of study. As the person concerned did not meet either of these qualifying conditions, his BTEA application was disallowed.

The person concerned was advised of this decision on 01/10/2021 and afforded the opportunity to request a review if he was dissatisfied with the decision.

The person concerned subsequently requested a review. In order to carry out this review supporting documentation has been requested from the person concerned. When this documentation has been received a review will be undertaken and he will be advised of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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

332. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a full review will take place into a jobseeker’s allowance application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49441/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person concerned applied for a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) payment with effect from 28/06/2021 after his entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit expired on 26/06/2021. JA is a means tested payment. A means test is an assessment of all household income, savings, shares, investments or property that a person owns, apart from their own home. The means test also includes any income that a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has.

On 28/06/2021 a decision letter issued to the person concerned to advise that his claim for JA was disallowed. Following the means assessment undertaken by my officials, the person concerned was deemed to have weekly means of €990 which is in excess of the prescribed limit of €337.70 for a person with his family circumstances. Means were derived from land, a second property, spousal earnings, savings and shares. The property valuation was self-declared and when a requested auctioneer’s valuation for the land was not submitted the value was estimated by my officials.

The person concerned currently has a JA (means) appeal registered with the Social Welfare Appeals Office which operates independently of my Department. This appeal is currently assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration and when the review has been completed he will be advised of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

333. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review will be carried out into an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49450/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the submission of further medical evidence by the person concerned, their case has been reviewed and they have been awarded disability allowance with effect from 14 July 2021 as they were in receipt of a higher payment of illness benefit (IB) up to that date. The first payment will be made on 27 October 2021.

Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

334. 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. [49452/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 23rd July 2021. Applications are processed in date of receipt order, and the processing of applications received in late July will be underway shortly. The Deciding Officer will notify the customer in writing as soon as the application has been finalised.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.