Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 345: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of rent supplement with a breakdown by duration at intervals of three months. [35040/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The following is a tabular statement on current recipients of rent supplement by duration.

Number of Recipients of Rent Supplement by Claim Duration 1, 1 October 2010

Claims with duration of precisely 3 months are recorded under the 3-6 months heading, claims with duration of precisely 6 months are recorded under the 6-9 months heading and so on.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 346: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of mortgage interest supplement with a breakdown by duration at intervals of three months. [35041/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The following is a tabular statement on current recipients of mortgage interest supplement by duration.

Number of Recipients of Mortgage Interest Supplement by Claim Duration, 1 October 2010

Claims with duration of precisely 3 months are recorded under the 3-6 months heading, claims with duration of precisely 6 months are recorded under the 6-9 months heading and so on.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 347: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason the mortgage allowance of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35148/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the mortgage interest supplement of the person concerned has been reduced as the interest payable on her mortgage has reduced. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the HSE he can appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 348: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when disability allowance and social welfare payment will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35163/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person concerned does not have a current application for disability allowance or any other social welfare payment lodged with the department. The person concerned originally applied for disability allowance on 26 February 2008. His claim was assessed by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that he was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted that medical opinion and further decided that the person in question was not habitually resident in the State. As he failed to satisfy the medical and habitual residence conditions, his claim was refused. A letter issued to him on 7 August 2008 advising him of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The person applied again for disability allowance on 27 November 2008. While the medical assessor gave the opinion that the medical condition was satisfied on the basis of the medical evidence supplied with that application, it was decided that he was not entitled to disability allowance as he did not satisfy the habitual residence condition. A letter issued to him on 29 January 2009 advising him of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The person subsequently appealed this decision. The Appeals Officer decided that the person was not habitually resident in the State and the appeal was disallowed on 12 August 2009. An Appeal's Officer's decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.