Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of households in receipt of mortgage interest supplement in 2006, 2007 and 2008, broken down by quarter. [46106/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost to the State of mortgage interest supplement in 2006, 2007 and 2008 broken down by quarter. [46107/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.

Below is a tabular statement showing the number of recipients and expenditure on mortgage interest supplement at quarterly intervals from 2006 to date.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent allowance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46205/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the Department by the Health Service Executive (HSE), as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. As advised in my reply of 4th December 2008 to the Deputy's question on the same subject, the person concerned has been refused rent supplement as she is regarded as not being lawfully in the State. The person concerned has appealed against the decision to refuse rent supplement to the HSE Appeals Office. She will be contacted directly when a decision has been made on her appeal.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted disability allowance. [45959/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to both medical assessment and a means test.

The person concerned made an application for Disability Allowance on 28th October 2008. The application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to determine the means of the claimant and the Inspector has submitted his report. The application was also referred to Medical Review and Assessment Section in October 2008 to schedule a medical examination. The person was unable to attend a medical examination arranged for the 2nd December 2008. He has been referred for another examination but the date has to be finalised by the Medical Review and Assessment Section. He will be notified of the time and place of this examination in January 2008. On foot of the Medical Assessor's report, a final determination on the application will be made and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

The person is currently in receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded disability allowance. [45968/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Disability Allowance is a weekly payment paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to both medical assessment and a means test.

The person concerned made an application for Disability Allowance on 22nd October 2008. His application was reviewed initially by a Medical Assessor who determined that the claimant was medically suitable for Disability Allowance. The application was then referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to determine means of the claimant. The person concerned was visited by the Social Welfare Inspector who assessed means of €244.12 from his spouse's employment. Based on this assessment, this person will qualify for a rate of Disability Allowance of €86.60 per week.

Arrangements are being made to issue his payment into his nominated bank account on 17 December 2008.