John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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414. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of their full pension entitlement; and if all of his or her entitlements will be reviewed to ensure he or she is in receipt of same. [10852/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 324 reckonable contributions. As the person concerned does not have the minimum of 520 full-rate paid Irish contributions they do not qualify for an Irish state pension (contributory) based on their Irish contribution history alone.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of an EU state pension (contributory) at the current weekly rate of €37.40. Following a review, there is no change to the rate paid as this is the correct rate commensurate with the insurance record of the person concerned.

It is also open to them to apply for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to them.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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415. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a carer's allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10856/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.

An application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 1 September 2022.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that, as a result, they require full-time care and attention. This is defined as requiring, from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 29 September 2022 of this decision, the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 2 October 2022 and submitted further documentation. However, the decision remained unchanged and the customer was notified of this on 26 November 2022.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8 December 2022.

As a result of an appeals officer’s decision, Carer's Allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 30 January 2022 with effect from 1 September 2022. The first payment issued to the nominated bank account on 16 February 2023.

Arrears for the period 1 September 2022 to 15 February 2023 issued to the person concerned on 16 February 2023.

The customer was also notified of their entitlement to the Cost-of-Living payment of €500 which will issue to their bank account separately.

The person concerned was notified of this outcome on 11 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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416. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a partial capacity benefit claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10861/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Partial Capacity Benefit is a scheme which extends the Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension schemes to recognise and respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State.

People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for a minimum of 26 weeks) who wish to return to work are eligible for Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition.

After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound, their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% per cent of their existing rate, respectively. If assessed as mild, they will not qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit.

The person concerned applied for Partial Capacity Benefit on the 6 September 2022 and their claim was disallowed on the 29 September 2022 as they were deemed not medically eligible.

The customer provided further medical evidence and requested a review on the 24 November 2022.

The medical evidence was reviewed by the Medical Review and Assessment Section (MRAS) who assessed his disability as 'Moderate'. The customer's Partial Capacity Benefit claim was awarded based on the new evidence provided.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on the 10 February 2023 and his first payment issued on 16 February 2023.

I trust this clarifies for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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417. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10899/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments and persons aged over 70 towards the cost of their winter heating needs. From January 2023, for applicants aged 70 and over, there is a new means test limit of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple; the capital disregard threshold has been increased from €20,000 to €50,000; and those over age 70 no longer need to be in receipt of a qualifying payment to apply for Fuel Allowance. Existing household composition rules continue to apply.

The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed to direct the limited resources available to my Department in a targeted manner. Fuel Allowance is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. Fuel Allowance can only be awarded where all the qualifying conditions are met and cannot be awarded on a discretionary basis to those who are marginally above the applicable means limit.

The person concerned was assessed with income from private pensions above the €500.00 weekly means threshold and so does not qualify for Fuel Allowance. The person was notified in writing that they do not satisfy the means test and a breakdown of the means assessment has issued to them.

My Department provides Additional Needs Payments, as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, for people who have essential expenses which they cannot pay from their weekly income. Applications and enquiries in relation to these payments can be made by contacting the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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418. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10900/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 13 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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419. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10901/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.

From January 2023, the threshold for the fuel allowance means test for those aged over 70 is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple without the need to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. In this case the threshold is €1,000 per week.

Following a means assessment, it was determined that the means are €1406.88 which exceeds the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 28 February 2023.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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420. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10902/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 13 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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421. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10905/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.

The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). An individual can have a weekly income of €200.00 above the maximum rate for State pension (contributory) plus any increases for age, living alone and dependants and still be eligible for the fuel allowance. In this case the threshold, based on their household, is €703.10.

Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means were €711.56 which exceeded the permissible weekly means of €703.10 for the household. Where applicants exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, there is no scope for discretion. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 28 February 2023.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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422. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10906/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 20 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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423. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10908/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 20 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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424. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10911/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 27 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 28 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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425. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [10912/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 13 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 27 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.