Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason an offer made by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, who was overpaid by his Department, is not being accepted by his Department; and the reason this offer is not being accepted by him. [14549/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A deciding officer disallowed the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned from 16 January 2001 to 23 September 2003, on the grounds that he was not unemployed for this period. Consequently, an overpayment of €14,486.46 was assessed on his claim. The person concerned called to the social welfare local office in Belmullet on 10 April 2006 and arrangements for repayment have been agreed with him. However, if his circumstances improve he should contact his local office and make arrangements to change his repayment rate.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions relating to 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.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for assistance towards the cost of school uniform and books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14606/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for rent allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14758/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 450 together.

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, 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 confirmed that the person concerned applied for a rent supplement on 28 March 2006 and that a decision on the matter will be made upon receipt of outstanding documentation from the person concerned.

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance, BSCFA, scheme is also administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. This scheme assists low-income families with extra costs when children start school each autumn. The scheme operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year. A person may qualify for payment of a back to school clothing and footwear allowance if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health board payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels.

The HSE, Dublin mid-Leinster area, which administers the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance scheme on my behalf, has advised that it has no record of an application from the family concerned. If the person concerned wishes to apply, she should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre from June onwards to enable her entitlement to an allowance to be determined.

Normal day-to-day clothing needs are expected to be met from weekly social welfare or HSE payments. However, there is provision under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to pay an exceptional needs payment, ENP, to people in certain circumstances who have clothing needs that they cannot be reasonably expected to meet from their weekly income. The executive has advised that it has no record of an application for such a payment from the family concerned. If the person concerned wishes to apply, she should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre.

A grant scheme is available for students in State primary and post-primary schools to help with the cost of school books. The scheme is mainly aimed at pupils from low income families and families experiencing financial hardship. Funding for this scheme is available from the Department of Education and Science and the scheme is administered in each school by the school principal. Parents or guardians in need of such assistance should apply directly to the school principal of the child's school.