Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if disability allowance might be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17265/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the person concerned was previously in receipt of Disability Allowance (DA) from October 2011 to February 2013 prior to being stopped on foot of a request from the person concerned.
The Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 08 June 2022. This individual was asked to supply supporting documentation on the 27 June 2022, required by the deciding officer (DO) in order to make a decision on their DA eligibility. The requested information was received by the department on the 19 July 2022 and 24 August 2022.
Their application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 25 April 2022 for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. The SWI requested information from the person concerned, which was only partially supplied. The SWI report was returned for consideration on the 13 October 2022. The SWI advised the DO on the 23 November 2022 and 4 January 2023 that the outstanding documents in relation to financial statements had not been provided.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, their application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that they had failed to supply sufficient information to determine means. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 04 January 2023, and they were given the right to a review or an appeal.
Further evidence was received on 29 March 2023 and a review of this decision was carried out. The person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation on the 14 April 2023 required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on their eligibility. Following the review, the original decision was upheld, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 12 May 2023 and they were given the right to a review or an appeal.
Additional documentation was received from this individual on 25 May 2023 and another review of this decision was carried out. Based on the information provided by this person, their application was disallowed as their means at that time were in excess of the statutory maximum limit allowed for DA. The person concerned was notified in writing on 07 June 2023 and they were given the right to a review or an appeal.
There is currently no appeal registered in relation to the decision of the 07 June 2023. It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
