Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of children who have received payments in respect of the early child care supplement since its introduction; the expenditure to date on this scheme; when the first payments of this supplement were made; if there are eligible children for whom this payment has not been claimed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31901/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The first Early Childcare Supplement (ECS) payment issued on August 14th 2006, covering the period April, May and June 2006. Payments amounting to €94,819,000 for 379,000 children have now issued. The next quarterly payment, covering the months July, August and September will issue on the 9th October, and will amount to €95,992,000, for 384,000 children. Total payments of ECS, including the October payment, amount to €190,811,000. There is no separate claim process for ECS, payment is linked to the payment of Child Benefit. If a customer has a child under 6 years of age and is in receipt of Child Benefit they will automatically be paid ECS.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being refused unemployment assistance in view of the fact that they have produced many letters stating that they are looking for work. [31968/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A claim for unemployment assistance by the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer on the grounds that he had not shown that he had made himself available for full-time employment or that he had made genuine efforts to secure employment.

The person appealed against this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and in accordance with the statutory requirements the relevant departmental papers and comments of my Department were sought. Following a summary examination of the grounds of appeal, the appeal was disallowed. Following further communication by the appellant, the Appeals Officer has now decided to re-open the appeal and proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person will be informed as soon as the arrangements for the hearing are in place.

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.