Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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269. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if and when jobseeker's allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49224/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The claim of person concerned was under review, suspended and subsequently closed as the person did not attend their local Intreo Centre.

The address provided by the Deputy with his question is a new address for the person concerned and the Department will now make contact with the person concerned at this address.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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270. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review/appeal can be entertained in the case of the refusal of application for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49225/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.  Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. 

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 15th August 2023.  It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. 

These papers have recently been received from the Department, and the case in question will shortly be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if all payments due, including arrears, have been paid and are up to date in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49226/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 2 December 2022. While the original decision was to disallow the application, following a successful appeal, the person concerned was awarded DA with effect from 7 December 2022. The first payment will be made via their chosen payment method on 15 November 2023.

Arrears of payment due, covering the period back to December, will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustments are calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 26 October 2023.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent, if any, to which a person (details supplied) can continue to obtain partial social welfare payment while their husband/partner gets an increase in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49227/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

Social Welfare Legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse/partner if applicable) applying to the relevant scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares, and other investments.

The assessment of means from the spouse/partner of the Disability Allowance recipient is calculated as follows:

The gross income for the year to date divided by the weeks worked are calculated. Following this, deductions for PRSI, Pension Contribution or Union Dues are applied to calculate a net average, assessable weekly income.

There is a disregard of €20.00 per day for up to 3 days worked which is a maximum of €60.00 weekly taken away from the average weekly income. 60% of the balance is then assessed as means. The weekly payment is reduced by any such means assessed.

If there has been a change in the circumstances of the person concerned, they should submit the updated information to the Department for a review of their claim.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.