Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the amount of family income supplement being granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [8772/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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An application for Family Income Supplement (FIS) was received from the person concerned on 8 October 2006. She was subsequently awarded FIS at a weekly rate of €25. She was notified of her right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The amount awarded is based on her average weekly earnings since the beginning of the year and other assessable income relative to the income limit for a family with two children. The FIS payment is 60% of the difference between all assessable income and the income limit for the family size, rounded up to the nearest euro.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers or Appeals Officer. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a landslide at Leenane, County Galway in the early January 2007; if his attention has further been drawn to the extent of animals lost by such a landslide; if his attention has further been drawn to the danger in which a number of residents were placed due to the ferocity of the landslide involved; if he has carried out and authorised a report to be published in respect of the damage done; his views on compensation for persons directly affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8870/07]

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 to people on social welfare or HSE 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 response to any emergency event primarily involves 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. Any support given will relate to damage to a person's home or loss of essential items. This support does not extend to business or commercial loss and is intended to meet immediate personal needs and it is not compensation. My Department has no role in providing compensation for losses arising from such incidents.

The question of safety concerns and possible damage to infrastructure in the aftermath of a landslide is essentially a matter for consideration by the local authority in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 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 landslide in Leenane, they should contact their local Community Welfare Officer in the first instance.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the one parent family allowance. [8953/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A Social Welfare Inspector recently interviewed the person in question. The Inspector has requested additional documentation so that a report on her case can be finalised. His report will be forwarded to a Deciding Officer who will make a decision on this case as soon as possible on receipt of the report.

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.