John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1011: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an application for rent allowance will be approved and back dated for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will expedite a positive response. [28793/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department 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.

One of the qualifying conditions for entitlement to rent supplement is that in certain circumstances, an applicant must be assessed by the local housing authority as having a housing need. The Health Service Executive has advised that it disallowed an application for rent supplement in this case on the grounds that the local housing authority did not deem the person concerned to have a housing need. It is open to the person concerned to appeal this decision to the designated Appeals Officer in the Health Service Executive.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 1012: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 will be awarded the respite care grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28884/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person's application for a Grant under the 2005 Respite Care Grant scheme was received on 18 April 2006 and she received payment on 26 April 2006.

She has now been written to enclosing a short questionnaire to establish whether she also satisfies the Grant conditions in 2006. When the questionnaire is returned, it will be processed and a decision issued, as soon as possible.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1013: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when child benefit will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [28965/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Child Benefit has been awarded to the person concerned with effect from July 2006, i.e. the month following that in which the children became members of the family.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1014: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and paid unemployment assistance. [28969/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 26 April 2006. He had previously been in receipt of disability benefit but was considered to be capable of work by the Department's Medical Referee on 5 April 2006. The person concerned did not appeal this decision.

A Deciding Officer disallowed his unemployment assistance claim from 26 April 2006 on the grounds that he is not available for or genuinely seeking work.

It is open to the person concerned to appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1015: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and paid carer's allowance. [28970/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for Carer's Allowance on 26 July 2006.

My Department's Chief Medical Advisor has confirmed that the person meets the medical criteria for the scheme. The case was referred to an Investigative Officer for means assessment and confirmation that all conditions necessary for receipt of Carer's Allowance are satisfied. I understand that this investigation is expected to be concluded this week, following which a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Under Social Welfare legislation, decisions in relation 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1016: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the respite care grant. [28971/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The application for a Respite Care Grant from the person to whom the Deputy refers was received in my Department on 16 August 2006. It is currently being processed and my Department hopes to be in a position to make a decision on it and inform the applicant of the outcome shortly.