Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if particular provision will be put in place to cater for the needs of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the lack of resources and consequent vulnerability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30473/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) was contacted regarding this case and has advised that the person concerned was refused supplementary welfare allowance in May 2007 on the grounds that she does not satisfy the habitual residency condition.

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA), which is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare staff of the Health Service Executive, is one of a number of social assistance schemes which, with effect from 1st May 2004, is subject to a habitual residence condition (HRC). Any decision made under these statutory provisions is a matter for statutorily appointed deciding officers in the case of social welfare schemes generally and in the case of determination of entitlement to SWA, employees of the HSE appointed for that purpose.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that rent costs of €800 per month are payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, that rent support of €360 is contributed by the Health Service Executive, that more than half of their disposable income is spent on rent and that arrears of €2,000 exist and that they will have to vacate the property unless an exceptional needs payment can be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30477/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned is in receipt of a rent supplement at the maximum rate payable appropriate to her circumstances. The net disposable income of the person concerned has not changed in the last number of months. The reason the rent is in arrears is due to the non payment of rent by the person concerned.

The Executive have further advised that the person concerned, has been advised by the Community Welfare Officer (CWO), to contact the local Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), which provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need intensive help and advice in coping with their debt problems. The CWO has advised the person concerned to discuss the matter with MABS in order that an appropriate budgeting strategy can be implemented.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of 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. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment. Non payment of rent is not a case for making an exceptional needs payment.