John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for mortgage interest supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45991/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of mortgage interest supplement is to provide short term support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only which relate to the essential purchase, repair or maintenance of the home.

The Health Service Executive has advised that it refused a payment of mortgage interest supplement to the person concerned on the grounds that it was not satisfied that the loan was related to essential purchase, repair or maintenance of the family home.

The Executive has further advised that the decision was appealed to the HSE's designated Appeals Officer and a decision will be made on entitlement in due course.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question : To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reasons an application for domiciliary care allowance was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [45992/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on 4th August 2010 from the person in question. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that her child was not medically eligible for the allowance. In order to qualify a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. A letter issued to the person in question on 25th September 2010 advising her of the decision. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days. The person in question submitted further medical information and an appeal was registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20 th October 2010. As part of the appeals process this additional information was reviewed by a Medical Assessor who found that the child not medically eligible. The file will now be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for decision.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on the application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46030/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In the case in question an application for domiciliary care allowance was received on 1 st October 2009. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on 4 th November 2009 where the person concerned was advised of the decision. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision. She was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11 th August 2010 that her appeal had been disallowed. The decision/appeal process for this application is now complete. All the information available at that time was provided to the appeals officer before the appeal was considered.