Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 596: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal will be accepted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was recently refused invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20364/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 597: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to the invalidity pension appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.

The appeal of the person concerned was received by the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office on 24 August 2007.

In accordance with the statutory requirements the relevant departmental papers and the comments of my department on the matters raised in the appeal have been sought. On receipt of their response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 598: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent allowance will be restored to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare. [20378/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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One of the qualifying conditions for rent supplement is that an applicant must have a housing need that they are unable to meet either from their own resources or, through accommodation available to them from another source, including local authority housing. The Executive has advised that it has refused a claim for rent supplement in this case as the housing needs of the persons concerned were being met by the local authority. The Executive's Appeals Office's has upheld the decision to refuse payment of rent supplement. This decision has been appealed to the Chief Appeals Office and it is understood that an oral hearing of their case will be held shortly.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 599: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal will be opened in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20496/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal for the person concerned was received on 15 September 2007 and, in accordance with the statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of my Department were sought. On receipt of this response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. 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.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare against the decision to refuse their application for supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20547/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has confirmed that the decision to refuse an exceptional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to the person concerned has been appealed to its designated appeals officer. It has advised that a decision on the matter will be made shortly.