John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in relation to their appeal against the decision taken to disallow them the back the school allowance; and if she will expedite a decision in this case. [35421/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Applications for the allowance may be made between the beginning of June and the end of September each year.

The south-eastern area of the HSE has advised that it has no record of a claim for a BSCFA claim from the person concerned

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a non-contributory pension appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [35429/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The state pension (non contributory) of the person concerned was revoked by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit and he was notified of this decision on 2nd July 2008.

An appeal was opened on 14 August 2008 and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. These are now to hand and have been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a jobseeker's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [35430/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Based on his means, the person concerned was awarded jobseekers allowance at a reduced rate by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 12 June 2008.

An appeal was opened on 22 August 2008 and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. These are now to hand and have been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.