Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if social welfare legislation which limits entitlement to certain payments to persons who are deemed to be habitually resident in the State precludes payment of the supplementary welfare allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22014/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare staff of the Health Service Executive, is one of a number of social assistance schemes which are subject to a statutory habitual residence condition with effect from 1 May 2004. Any person whose habitual residence or "centre of interest" is deemed to be other than in this State or the designated common travel area is not entitled to supplementary welfare allowance or any other social assistance payment. The common travel area includes Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The southern region of the Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused supplementary welfare allowance on the grounds that he does not satisfy the habitual residency condition. The executive has further advised that he has appealed against this decision. An appeals officer of the executive will make a determination on his eligibility as soon as possible and he will be notified of the outcome.