Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of the exceptional needs payment application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24. [42286/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.

The Executive has advised that it has no record of an application for an exceptional needs payment from the person concerned. The Executive has further advised that the person concerned should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre if he wishes to discuss any entitlements he may have under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 419: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted a State non-contributory pension. [42321/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An application for State Pension (Non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 9th October 2008 and was referred to the local Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. On receipt of the inspector's report a decision will be made on her claim and she will be notified of the outcome.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent of the State's liability in respect of the backdating of disability payments arising from the decision of the High Court on 17 November 2008 to award a patient of a psychiatric hospital €60,000 in settlement of their case against the Health Service Executive and herself; the number of claimants affected by this decision; the way she will facilitate claims; the location where affected claimants can get information on making claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42342/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The case referred to by the Deputy was settled without prejudice for a sum significantly less than the plaintiff sought and without any admission of liability on the part of the State. In so far as this Department is concerned, the plaintiffs sought a declaration as to the Constitutionality of the legislative measures introduced by this Department in 1999 governing entitlement to the Disability Allowance. Since no admission has been made by the Department in this regard, the question of potential liability does not arise from this case.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there are further supports available, in addition to the fuel allowance and household benefits package, for an elderly couple to meet the cost of heating their home where one of the spouses is suffering from a terminal illness. [42350/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's role is to assist social welfare recipients with heating costs, both through basic payments, fuel allowance and the household benefits package of electricity and gas allowances. These schemes have been improved significantly in recent years. In addition, if a recipient of a social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment has exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition which s/he is unable to meet out of household income, the person may apply for a special heating supplement or an exceptional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The people concerned should contact the Community Welfare Officer in the local health centre, in order that entitlement to additional assistance to meet heating expenses can be examined.