Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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429. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59227/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance, under the National fuel scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.

An application for fuel allowance was received from the person concerned on 07 November 2022. His weekly household income was assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit for fuel allowance. The application for fuel allowance was disallowed and he was notified of the decision and the reasons for it on 23 November 2022.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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430. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the living alone allowance will be backdated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59234/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An application for living alone allowance increase was received in my Department from the person concerned on the 29th September 2022. A living alone allowance increase was awarded at the weekly rate of €22.00 from the 1st April 2022. The allowance was backdated for 6 months in accordance with the current backdating legislative provisions. A decision to that effect issued to the person concerned by letter dated 22nd October 2022.

Further backdating of this pension increase, beyond the six months granted, may only be considered where the delay in making the claim was due to incorrect information provided by an officer of my Department, or due to the person being so incapacitated that they were unable to make a claim, or appoint a person to act on their behalf.

A Deciding Officer has reviewed the living alone increase award date and having considered all the evidence is satisfied that the claim to the living alone allowance has been backdated in accordance with the current legislative provisions. A letter to that effect has been posted to the person concerned.

If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision they can request a further review by contacting my Department with any documentary evidence relevant to support their claim.

Alternatively, the person concerned can appeal the decision by writing to the Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, Dublin 2, stating clearly their grounds for appeal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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431. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress that has been made to date on the determination of an application for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59277/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The Department received a claim for IP for the person referred to on 15 August 2022. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. Notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 10 November 2022 informing him of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.