Written answers

Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

10:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been refused payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42245/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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All applicants regardless of nationality, from 1 May 2004, are required to be habitually resident in the State in order to qualify for supplementary welfare allowance. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused supplementary welfare allowance on the grounds that he is regarded as not being habitually resident in the State. If the person is not satisfied with the decision of the community welfare officer it is open to him to appeal against the decision to the Executive's designated Appeals Office.

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will intercede in a case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo who has had their mortgage interest supplement taken away in full after six weeks in view of the fact that the applicant is still on sick benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42606/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary 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. 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. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only. Mortgage interest supplement is not payable where a person or their spouse/partner is in full time employment.

The Executive has advised that the person concerned was initially refused mortgage interest supplement by the community welfare officer. He successfully appealed this decision. The Executive issued payment of €1,711.50 to him on 3 November 2008. The Executive has further advised that his partner has commenced full time employment and consequently he no longer qualifies for mortgage interest supplement. If he is not satisfied with the decision of the community welfare officer it is open to him to appeal against the decision to the Executive's designated Appeals Office.

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