John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason persons (details supplied) in County Sligo who are seeking mortgage relief payments were asked to submit a letter to the Health Service Executive from Sligo Borough Council explaining the reason they re-mortgaged their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has stated that it has received an application for mortgage interest supplement from the persons concerned in respect of their residence which was re-mortgaged with a new mortgage provider in December 2006. The property was originally financed by a local authority loan. The Executive has advised that it has requested the persons concerned to provide documentation from the local authority stating the amount outstanding on the original mortgage, immediately prior to the transfer of the loan, so it can establish the correct entitlement. The requested documentation has not yet been received. The Community Welfare Officer (CWO) offered to provide an exceptional needs payment pending a decision on the claim, but this offer was refused.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare Division of the Health Service Executive, provides for short-term weekly or monthly income support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of their sole place of residence. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only. In making a decision on entitlement, the Executive must be satisfied that the amount of mortgage interest payable by the claimant does not exceed such amount as the Executive considers reasonable to meet his or her residential needs.