Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount deducted from the disability allowances for patients accommodated in State or State funded facilities in each year for the past six years. [6252/05]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the full amount deducted from the disability allowances for patients accommodated in State or State funded facilities in each year for the past six years. [6299/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 192 together.

The information requested is not held by my Department. Deductions made from a person's disability allowance while in State funded facilities are a matter for the Health Service Executive, the relevant health board or service providers involved. Social welfare payments are primarily paid to the claimant. However, in accordance with social welfare legislation, payment may be made to a person other than the claimant where the claimant requests this. Such persons are appointed to act as agents to, inter alia, collect payments on behalf of a claimant. Generally agents are appointed where a person is unable to cash their payment due to serious illness or loss of mobility. They may also be appointed in cases where a person is permanently unable to act for themselves or to discharge responsibility. In many cases parents, guardians or other family members are appointed as agents. All such applications are made on foot of a written application from the social welfare claimant where possible. The agent is appointed by my Department on the understanding that the social welfare payment due will be spent for the benefit of the person concerned.