Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a termination of rent allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be reviewed and restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has confirmed that the person concerned was advised that payment of rent supplement would be suspended on the grounds that it had been unable to establish to its satisfaction the household income or household composition. The Executive has advised that the person concerned has asked that her claim be reviewed by another officer, and if appropriate an Appeals Officer. Her claim is currently being reviewed and she will be advised of the outcome of the review.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was initially awarded a rent supplement in excess of the rent limits appropriate to her family size. The payment was made as an exceptional measure and on a temporary basis to allow the opportunity of securing alternative accommodation. The person concerned was advised of the decision to terminate rent supplement with effect from 3 February 2007, if she had not secured alternative accommodation with a rent payment appropriate to her particular circumstances. This decision has been appealed to the Chief Appeals Office of my Department and an oral hearing has taken place. The person concerned will be advised of the outcome of the appeal in writing shortly.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that an application for assistance under the supplementary allowance scheme has not been received from the person concerned. However, the person was advised informally that in order to process a rent supplement claim, an assessment of housing need by her local housing authority would be required. It is open to the person concerned to make an application for rent supplement to her local community welfare officer. Once she is assessed by a housing authority as having a housing need, entitlement to rent supplement will be examined, subject to the other qualifying conditions of the scheme. If she is unhappy with the outcome of this decision, she may lodge an appeal against the decision with the Appeals Office of the Health Service Executive.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will investigate a situation where ferry companies' fare concessions for senior citizens have been gradually eroded since 2005 and in most cases have now been totally eliminated. [4626/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Social and Family Affairs has no role with regard to the concessionary fares schemes which ferry companies or any other transport operators may choose to extend to their customers. The Department does operate the free travel scheme which provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. The free travel scheme also incorporates air travel arrangements for residents of the Aran Islands and Tory Island.