Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the one-parent family allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31194/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A deciding officer disallowed the person's claim for one-parent family payment on the grounds that the person is co-habiting with another as man and wife. An appeal on the person's behalf was received on 11 October 2005 in the social welfare appeals office. An appeals officer has considered the case and is of the opinion that an oral hearing is necessary. The person concerned will be notified of the time, date and venue of the hearing when these have been arranged. Under social welfare legislation, decisions concerning claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role with regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the basis on which he refused unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the legal basis for the decision as this person has produced evidence proving that they are consistently seeking full-time work; and the evidence he has to validate the claim that the person is not looking for work. [31195/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Social welfare legislation provides that to be entitled to unemployment benefit a person must be available for employment and be genuinely seeking work. The onus is on the claimant to show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that he or she satisfies each of these conditions on an ongoing basis.

In accordance with section 42(4)(a)(iii) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993, as amended, a deciding officer disallowed the unemployment benefit claim of the claimant concerned from 3 August 2005 on the grounds that the person was not genuinely seeking full-time work. The deciding officer, taking into account all relevant circumstances and based on the evidence provided by the claimant, was not satisfied he had been consistently seeking full-time work. The person concerned appealed this decision and his file has been forwarded to the independent social welfare appeals office for determination. When a decision is made, the person concerned will be notified of the outcome. Under social welfare legislation, decisions concerning claims and the insurability of employment must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not receiving the free fuel allowance. [31223/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned is in receipt of maximum rate widow's contributory pension of €85.70 and €7.70 living alone allowance. To qualify for a payment under the national fuel scheme, the total income of a widow, including her widow's contributory pension, must not exceed €236.49 per week. The person concerned is receiving an occupational pension in addition to her widow's contributory pension, bringing her income above the weekly threshold of €236.49. Accordingly, her application for the fuel allowance has been disallowed.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the one parent family allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31250/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for one parent family payment on 5 August 2005 and his case was forwarded to an inspector for investigation. A number of calls were made to the person's address but he was not available for interview. An appointment has been made to interview the person concerned this week.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason farm assist has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31253/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned claimed farm assist on 18 April 2005. He was requested to submit certain information in support of his claim. To date, a number of items remain outstanding. On receipt of the required documentation the claim will be examined in full and he will be advised of the outcome in due course.