Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason rent supplement has been reduced for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9508/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of my Department by the Health Service Executive and provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs.

The Executive has advised that the weekly rate of €65 rent supplement in payment to the person concerned since 4th September, 2006, is the maximum rate of supplement appropriate to his circumstances, having regard to the level of rent in his case. When previously living at another address, a higher rate of rent supplement was in payment to the person because a higher level of rent was charged at that address. He received two payments of €130, one in September 2006 and the other in December 2006. These were fortnightly payments comprising 2 weekly payments of rent supplement of €65.

Should the person in question have any further enquiries in relation to his rate of payment he should contact the local community welfare officer who will provide any assistance required.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the finance that his Department has made available to individuals and families to deal with the severe flooding difficulties experienced by farmers and other members of the community in the Shannon basin area around Athlone and its hinterland due to recent weather difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9787/07]

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 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 response to the recent flooding primarily involved 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. Support given relates to damage to a person's home or loss of essential items. It does not extend to business or commercial losses.

My Department, working through the HSE, has a role in providing immediate humanitarian aid in response to serious flooding incidents. It has no role in providing compensation for losses arising from such incidents. 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.