Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the previous rate of rent allowance being made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reinstated as they are in need of full assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22853/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that according to its records, the person concerned is no longer in full-time employment and has been awarded a rent supplement of €87 per week from 7th May 2008. This is the maximum rate of rent supplement due given the financial circumstances of the person concerned.

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 567: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [22872/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes mortgage interest supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. A mortgage interest supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence.

One of the conditions for receipt of mortgage interest supplement is that the claimant must have been in a position to meet the mortgage repayments when the loan agreement was initially entered into. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement as his current financial circumstances are the same as when the loan agreement was entered into.

If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the community welfare officer, it is open to him to lodge an appeal against the decision to an Appeals Officer of the Health Service Executive.