Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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376. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to the awarding of basic allowance or appropriate award in the case a person (details supplied) who has a child with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40930/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system, helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANP)s. The basic SWA provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a basic SWA payment while a decision is pending on her Jobseekers Transitional Payment application. The most recent correspondence to the customer issued on 04/10/2024, requesting statements for accounts held in two financial institutions.

To date, the person concerned has not provided the outstanding documents requested. Once the required documents have been received, the claim will be reviewed promptly, and the customer will be advised of the outcome in writing.

Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a special arrangement under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme. It is a means-tested payment. Qualifying conditions for JST can be found here .

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for JST payment on 19/09/2024. The most recent correspondence to the person concerned was by email on 09/10/2024 requesting the following:

• Confirmation if she is in receipt of any spousal maintenance.
• A self-assessment tax return for 2023 (not the Form 11).
• The last three months statements for accounts held in financial institutions.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given for domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40931/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance is payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of the child's disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.

An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned on 20 September 2024.

As part of the decision process, their application is currently awaiting the opinion of a Departmental Medical Assessor (MA).

On receipt of the MA opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and the person concerned will be notified directly of the decision on their application.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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378. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive credits. [40940/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 13 June 2020.

The records of my Department show that the person concerned paid Class S contributions from 1995 to 2001. There are no subsequent paid contributions on their record. Self-employed Class S contributions are not reckonable for the award of credits. As such, there was no entitlement to credited contributions for any of the years after 2001.

An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 17 February 2020. Based on the records of my Department the person concerned has a total of 739 paid contributions, 175 credited contributions and 512 HomeCaring Periods which gives entitlement to 68.58% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).

I have arranged for a copy of the social insurance record of the person concerned to issue. If they consider that there are additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384.

It is also open to them to apply for the state pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 95% of the state pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the position.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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379. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40972/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned recently applied for Fuel Allowance.

The current means threshold for a person aged under 70 years is €477.30. This includes income of up to €200 above the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory, which is €277.30. The means of the person concerned were assessed at €505.50, which is over the means threshold. As a result, their Fuel Allowance application was disallowed on this occasion.

If the person’s circumstances change in the future, it is open to them to re-apply for a Fuel Allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.