Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will examine an application for SWA payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has again applied for unemployment assistance; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person was in receipt of this payment and it was withdrawn in 2006 that they have had no income since then and have sought employment but have had no success to date. [7561/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

The person concerned was in receipt of jobseeker's allowance from 03 February 2005 to 27 June 2006. Following a review his claim was disallowed by a Deciding Officer, with effect from 28 June 2006, on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking employment. This decision was upheld by an Appeals Officer following an oral hearing on 19 October 2006.

The person concerned had been in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance while his jobseeker's allowance claim and subsequent appeal were being processed. He was in receipt of the basic supplementary allowance from 11th July 2006 to 11th December 2006 at a rate of €165.80 per week. The Executive terminated payment of the weekly supplementary welfare allowance in December 2006 on the grounds that, in its opinion and in the light of the outcome of the appeal, the person concerned had not subsequently made reasonable efforts to seek employment. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was informed of his right to appeal this decision to the designated Appeals Officer and that no appeal has been received to date.

The person concerned lodged another claim for jobseeker's allowance on 12 February 2007. If the person concerned wishes to again apply for supplementary welfare allowance, he should contact his local Community Welfare Officer.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the compensation schemes in operation at present to alleviate losses incurred by farm owners due to flooding in an area (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7578/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, which is administered by the Community Welfare Division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), is designed to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.

Under the legislation governing the scheme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) may make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to people on social welfare or health board payments. This is a once-off payment to meet an unforeseen or special need that cannot be met from a person's basic income.

Assistance in the form of an urgent needs payment (UNP) can be also made to persons who would not normally be entitled to SWA, to assist, for example in cases of flood damage, with immediate needs, such as food, clothing, fuel, household goods and perhaps shelter. Assistance can be provided in cash or in kind.

My Department's role in the response to the recent flooding will primarily involve supporting the community welfare service in the provision of ENP and UNP funding in the short term and other supports where applicable to cater for the long term effects of the flooding. Any support given will relate to damage to a person's home or loss of essential items and will not extend to business or commercial losses. Local community welfare officers are available to provide assistance on an individual basis where that is warranted. If any person is experiencing hardship as a result of the recent flooding, they should contact their local Community Welfare Officer in the first instance.