Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the current age regulations to obtain a companion travel pass; if he intends to lower the age limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9864/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The free travel companion pass scheme was introduced in 1990 for persons who qualify for free travel and who, because of their disability, are unable to travel alone. Those who are eligible for a companion free travel pass include recipients of disability allowance or invalidity pension who are medically assessed as being unfit to travel unaccompanied; people who are blind or severely visually impaired; people who are confined to wheelchairs; people who are aged 75 years and over and are medically certified as unfit to travel alone; and people who are receiving full-time care and attention from someone who is in receipt of carer's allowance. The companion pass enables a person aged 16 or over to accompany the pass holder free of charge. The companion pass scheme ensures that a person's entitlement to free travel is not diminished because a companion cannot afford to accompany them. Any further extension to the free travel scheme could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason unemployment assistance, supplementary welfare and rent allowance has not been paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9906/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the Health Service Executive has advised that the person in question had been accommodated in a direct provision centre provided by the Reception and Integration Agency after she applied for asylum in the State. When she was in the centre she was entitled to a direct provision allowance of €19.10 for herself and €9.60 for her child. The person voluntarily left direct provision accommodation in October 2004. The HSE has advised that she recently contacted a community welfare officer about the payment of supplementary allowance. After the review of her case, it has been decided to award her, from a current rate, a reduced rate of basic supplementary welfare allowance equal to her rate of direct provision allowance. The reduced rate is being paid on the basis that she voluntarily vacated the accommodation provided for her under the direct provision scheme.

As of 27 May 2003, people who are awaiting decision on applications for refugee status, or are not lawfully in the State, are ineligible for rent supplement or other social welfare assistance towards their accommodation costs. As the person concerned falls into that category she is not entitled to receive rent supplement. However, she and her child continue to have the option of availing of the accommodation provided through the direct provision facilities operated by the Reception and Integration Agency. The Department has no record of an application for unemployment assistance from the person concerned.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason rent support has been reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, in view of the fact that they have complied with all necessary regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the Health Service Executive has advised that it has carried out a routine review of the amount of rent supplement payable to the person concerned. The review was one of a number carried out in line with HSE procedures. The review uncovered a change in family circumstances which necessitated a reduction in the amount of rent supplement payable.

If a person is dissatisfied with a decision of the HSE, he or she may appeal against the decision to the executive's area appeals officer and, if necessary, then to the chief appeals officer of the social welfare appeals office. Decisions and appeals on individual claims are dealt with by designated officers in the HSE or the social welfare appeals office, where appropriate. I have no function in that regard. I understand the HSE contacted the person recently and informed her of the position.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason child benefit has not been awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9908/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Since 1 May 2004, all applicants for social welfare assistance and child benefit are subject to the habitual residence condition. The person in question made a claim for child benefit on 8 June 2004 and was deemed not to satisfy the habitual residence condition. When she appealed the decision, the appeals officer, having reviewed the evidence, upheld the decision.