John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a request for an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow has not been dealt with; and if the full submission made will be reconsidered and a decision issued. [4506/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The appeal in question relates to an application for rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The southern region of the executive has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement on the grounds that he had deprived himself of income, which would have enabled him to provide for his rent from within his own resources. The person concerned has been unsuccessful in appealing against this decision to the executive's appeals officer.

At the request of the person concerned, the decision in his case has been referred to the social welfare appeals office for review by an appeals officer. I understand that an oral hearing in this case is expected to take place in early March. Decisions and appeals on individual claims are dealt with by designated officers in the Health Service Executive or the social welfare appeals office where appropriate and I have no function in this regard.