Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason unemployment assistance has been stopped for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32855/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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To qualify for an unemployment payment a person must be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. Following a review, a deciding officer disallowed the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned from 2 November 2005, on the grounds that she was not available for or genuinely seeking full-time work. The person concerned stated that she had not looked for work and that she was not free to take up work as she has to mind her children. The person concerned has appealed this decision and her file is being sent to the independent social welfare appeals office. A decision will be made as soon as possible and she will be notified of the outcome. Under social welfare legislation, decisions on claims 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.

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason senior citizens such as those at an address (details supplied) in Dublin 8 are not being awarded the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32895/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health service executive payments to meet the cost of their heating needs during the winter season from October to April.

Residents of local authority accommodation where central heating is provided at a low or subsidised level are not eligible for the allowance. In a recent review of addresses at which heating is provided at low cost by Dublin City Council by my Department, it emerged that the persons concerned are residing in accommodation where subsidised heating is provided by Dublin City Council and they are therefore not entitled to the allowance.