Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 715: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in South Tipperary is not entitled to the back to school allowance. [24327/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The back to school clothing and footwear, BSCF, allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Entitlement is subject to a means test. The weekly income limit appropriate to a couple with four children is €426.00. The south eastern area of the executive has advised that it disallowed an application by the person concerned as the household income in this case was above the limit for entitlement to the allowance. It is open to her to appeal this decision to the area appeals officer of the executive.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 716: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare is not in receipt of the full dietary allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24358/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Recipients of social welfare or health board payments who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition, and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. This scheme and related supplements are administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, and neither I nor my Department has any function in individual claim decisions.

The amount of supplement payable depends on which of two categories of diet, low cost or high cost, has been prescribed by the applicant's medical adviser, as well as the income of the individual and his or her dependents. He is in receipt of old age contributory pension, OACP, at the rate of €182.20 per week and a fuel allowance of €9 per week. The person concerned is also in receipt of a heating supplement of €40 per month due to his medical condition. He is married and his wife is receiving a carer's allowance. The couple's total income from social welfare payments is the equivalent of €361.69 per week plus another €9 per week during the winter fuel season.

The mid-western area health service executive has advised that the person concerned is receiving the full rate of the diet supplement appropriate to a person in his circumstances.