Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30777/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Qualification for Disability Allowance depends on an applicant passing a medical examination and a means test. An applicant must be found to have an injury, disease, illness or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year.

The applicant concerned was examined by a Medical Assessor of my Department on 5/9/2006 and found to be not substantially restricted by reason of a specified disability which is likely to continue for at least a year. The applicant has been advised of his right of appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare does not qualify for a back to school allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30835/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

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 service executive 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 weekly income limit appropriate to a couple with three children is EUR 480.00.

The Health Service Executive has advised that it has disallowed an application by the person concerned as her household income was above the prescribed EUR 480.00 limit for entitlement to the allowance. It is open to her to appeal this decision to the area appeals officer of the Executive.