Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 to extend their deadline and not to stop their rent allowance. [19140/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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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 relation to decisions on individual claims.

Rent supplements are subject to maximum rent levels that an applicant for rent supplement may incur which are established by reference to market rents. The maximum amount payable can only be exceeded where exceptional circumstances exist.

The Health Service Executive has advised that, following a review of the rent supplement claim of the person concerned, it became aware that the rent payable was in excess of the prescribed limits for a person of her circumstances. It has further advised that, following appeal, rent supplement will continue to be paid to the person concerned until the end of May 2006 thus allowing time for her to find alternative accommodation with rent within the prescribed limits. The Executive has advised that it proposes to suspend the payment of rent supplement from the end of May 2006, unless the person concerned obtains accommodation with rent within the prescribed limits.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of farmers who have availed of farm assist in County Leitrim in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004; and the average amounts paid in each of these years. [19153/06]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of farmers who have availed of farm assist in County Sligo in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004; and the average amounts paid in each of these years. [19154/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together.

The details requested by the Deputy of the numbers availing of the Farm Assist Scheme have been compiled from data that is maintained on a Local Office catchment area basis and these figures do not correspond exactly with county boundaries. The figures are as follows:

The amount paid to each farmer depends on a number of factors, for example, family size, whether the spouse/partner is working and any means assessed from all sources.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on extending the time limit for continuation of payment of family income supplement in cases where people are in receipt of disability benefit as they are unable to work due to an accident and who were in receipt of the family income supplement at the time of the accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19179/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Family Income Supplement (FIS) is an in-work income support, payable to low income families with children.

Currently family income supplement and disability benefit can be paid together for a period of six weeks, which is intended to cover cases of short-term illnesses or injury. This ensures that for the majority of short-term disability benefit claims, a person can receive disability benefit and subsequently return to work without having their FIS claim interrupted.

I am satisfied that the current rules allow for reasonable flexibility with regard to temporary periods of illness or injury. Any change in the present arrangements would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to ensure that a dependent spouse's pension is raised to be brought in line with the non-contributory old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19184/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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This Government is committed to introducing a personal entitlement for pensioner spouses, currently in receipt of the qualified adult increase, at the level of a full non-contributory pension.

The cost, based on current rates of payment, of bringing all of the relevant qualified adult rates up to the level of the non-contributory pension personal rate is €55 million in a full year. This commitment will be implemented as soon as possible, having regard to available resources and other budgetary commitments.

Since 2002, new pension claimants can opt to have the qualified adult increase paid directly to their spouse or partner. The administrative and legislative implications of enhancing these arrangements to make direct payments more widely available are under consideration.