Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the mechanism available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to make a claim for personal financial support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19345/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). SWA provides a safety net against poverty in that it gives a statutory entitlement to a minimum weekly income, based on criteria set out in legislation. The Eastern Area of the HSE has advised that the person concerned was refused supplementary welfare allowance on the grounds that she did not seek maintenance from her spouse. The person concerned appealed this decision and an Appeals Officer of the HSE has upheld the decision to refuse payment. It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for supplementary welfare allowance should her personal circumstances change.

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [19347/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the entitlement to rent supplement of the person concerned has been reviewed. The executive has established that she has means which were not previously taken into account in the assessment of entitlement to rent supplement. The assessment of these means has resulted in the rate of rent supplement being reduced and she has been advised accordingly. The person concerned has lodged an appeal against this decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has had their supplementary welfare benefit removed. [19350/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). SWA provides a safety net against poverty in that it gives a statutory entitlement to a minimum weekly income, based on criteria set out in legislation. The Midland Area of the Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance but this payment was suspended on the grounds that he was working. The Community Welfare Officer has now reviewed the case and payment of supplementary welfare allowance has recommenced from 16 May 2008.