Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason persons (details supplied) in County Kildare have not received funding under the supplementary welfare scheme as operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7293/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of Health Service Executive (HSE) provides for an exceptional needs payment to be made to assist with essential, once-off costs which the applicant is unable to meet from his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case. In the case of normal requirements, in general, people are expected to meet these as they arise from their household income.

The Dublin / Mid-Leinster Area of the Executive has advised that it has received an application in the last week from the person concerned for an exceptional needs payment. The application will now be examined by the Executive and the person concerned will be notified of the position.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people in receipt of rent supplement; the number who have been in receipt of the supplement for over 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7516/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

As of 23 February there were 59,450 tenants in receipt of a rent supplement payment of which approximately 32,000 have been in receipt of a payment for 18 months or more.

Under the Rental Accommodations Scheme (RAS), at the end of December 2006, some 2,800 cases had transferred to the local authorities under RAS with a further 2,200 transferring to social housing.

When fully implemented, the RAS will enable the rent supplement scheme to revert to its original objective, namely to be a short term income support scheme.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 feels they are being victimised regarding their rent allowance and disability benefit; and if he will support them on this matter. [7587/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

The Executive has been contacted regarding this case and has advised that it received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned in January 2007. It has further advised that it has awarded the maximum amount of rent supplement payable to a person in her circumstances.

An application for disability allowance was received from the person concerned on 26th January 2007. Her application has been forwarded to the local social welfare inspector for a means assessment. On completion of this, her application will be examined by a deciding officer and she will be notified of the position. In the meantime, she is in receipt of the maximum rate of basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded unemployment assistance; the reason the original of their bank statement, which was produced as proof of address was retained by his Department official; and when the bank statement will be returned to the claimant. [7717/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for a Jobseeker's payment on 8 February 2007. The claim is currently being examined, a decision will be made as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome. The bank statement of the person concerned has now been returned.

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.