Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan can expect a decision on their application for carers allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7565/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 12 October 2007. The case has been referred to an Investigative Officer of my Department to determine that all the conditions for receipt of the allowance are satisfied.

On 22 February 2008, an interim decision issued, refusing the claim on the grounds that full time care and attention is not required in this case. The person concerned is afforded the opportunity to submit, within 21 days, any further medical evidence available for review. On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

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 265: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a support group (details supplied) is entitled to funding under any of his Departments schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7587/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department assists and encourages the unemployed, particularly the long term unemployed, lone parents and other social welfare recipients to return to training or education through a range of measures administered by my Department's social and family support service. These measures include the payment of income support through the back to education allowance scheme, the back to work allowance and funding through the activation and family support programme.

The activation and family support programme fund provides once-off funding to third parties such as support groups to assist welfare recipients, as well as members of their families, improve their employability, personal and family situations through education, training and personal development courses. The fund is focused on assisting people most marginalised in social and economic terms and is operated in a manner that enables a quick response to any needs identified. It is not within the remit of the schemes operated by my Department to provide core funding for projects such as capital costs or salaries.

The activities supported have given much help by way of intensive training, counselling and other supports to groups at risk of developing long-term welfare dependency. Those who need special help of this type include the very long-term unemployed, travellers, people with literacy difficulties, lone parents, the long-term ill and people with disabilities.

The initiatives funded demonstrate the positive results of a partnership approach between my Department, the Voluntary and Community Sector and other local players in identifying and addressing local needs in terms of education, training and development.

During 2006, the support group concerned was funded by my Department to run a computer course for people on disability allowance. If the group wish to apply for further funding for similar initiatives it should contact the Facilitator at Newbridge local office.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of rental supplement recipients who were paying rents equivalent to their relevant rent limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7668/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Rent supplement, which is administered on my behalf by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable eligible household types to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that prevail in various parts of the State. The objective is to ensure that rent supplement is not paid in respect of overly expensive accommodation having regard to the size of the household.

Information available to my Department indicates that 69% of recipients of rent supplement pay rent which is at the maximum rent limit appropriate to their circumstances, 21 % pay rent which is below the relevant rent limit and 10% payment which is above the relevant limit.

The HSE may award Rent Supplement in cases where the rent exceeds these rent limits in certain circumstances e.g. where there are special housing needs related to exceptional circumstances or where the tenant has sufficient additional income, for example from part-time employment, with which to meet the additional cost. This discretionary power ensures that individuals with particular needs can be accommodated within the scheme and specifically protects against homelessness. This discretion was applied in 10% of current rent supplement claims.

I intend to have rent limits reviewed this year with a view to implementing any revision found to be necessary, from 1 July 2008. A consultative approach will be used to conduct this review.