Tom McEllistrim (Kerry North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused assistance by the Health Service Executive and the community welfare office while their disability allowance is pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4604/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). SWA provides a safety net against poverty in that it gives a statutory entitlement to a minimum weekly income, based on criteria set out in legislation. Apart from a number of excluded categories, anyone in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs is entitled to assistance under the SWA Scheme.

The Health Service Executive has advised that it has not refused assistance in the case raised by the Deputy. The HSE forwarded application forms for basic supplementary welfare allowance to the person concerned in December 2006. However no application has been received to date. If the person concerned wishes to continue with his claim he should contact his local community welfare officer in that regard.