John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 711: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the clothing and footwear scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25825/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance scheme, BSCFA, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in decisions on individual claims. The executive has advised that an application by the person concerned for BSCFA had been rejected on means grounds, taking account of household income derived from participation in the rural social scheme. Following an appeal, the executive issued an exceptional needs payment to her in August.

As the rural social scheme is now regarded as a qualifying payment for BSCFA eligibility purposes, the executive has re-assessed her application and has determined that the person concerned is entitled to an allowance. The executive is arranging to issue payment to her shortly.