Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the denial of an exceptional needs payment to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [45718/08]

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 the person concerned has been refused an exceptional needs payment in respect of clothing as she was deemed to have sufficient income to meet her clothing needs. It is open to the person concerned to appeal against the decision of the community welfare officer to the Executive's designated Appeals Office.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason there is a need for a social welfare officer to call again to a person (details supplied) in County Galway when in fact all information has been provided and is with her Department. [45732/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The review of the one-parent family payment claim of the person concerned is ongoing. The Social Welfare Inspector has been in contact with her and has made arrangements to meet with her shortly to clarify certain aspects of her circumstances. When the inspector's enquiries are complete, a decision will be made as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded the one-parent family payment. [45735/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A Social Welfare Inspector's investigation of the circumstances of the person concerned has been completed. A decision will be given in her case as soon as possible and she will be notified of the outcome.

Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.