Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the rent allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15859/05]

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 family in question had been in receipt of a rent supplement, initially paid to the person concerned and subsequently to her spouse, in respect of their family accommodation.

The executive became aware that there had been a change in the employment status of the spouse of the person concerned. It sought details from him about this to determine his continued entitlement to rent supplement. As he failed to provide the information requested, the executive has advised that it ceased payment of his supplement in February 2005.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has re-examined or will re-examine the application for rent allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15862/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has a function in determining or reviewing entitlement in individual cases.

As stated in my reply to Question No. 155 of 21 April 2005, the Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the executive has advised that the person concerned made no mention of a health condition when applying for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. She is currently in receipt of a reduced rate of allowance for herself and her child.

The executive has further advised that the person concerned has not applied for rent supplement and that she has indicated she is aware that she is unlikely to qualify for support under that scheme. It remains open to her to have her accommodation needs met through the direct provision facilities operated by the Reception and Integration Agency, pending determination of her asylum status in due course.