Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47257/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Eligibility for a fuel allowance is subject to a means test and other conditions. A person may have a combined household income of up to €100.00 per week over and above the maximum rate of State Pension (Contributory) or savings/investments of up to €58,000 and still qualify for fuel allowance. The person concerned is in receipt of a State Pension (Contributory) at the maximum rate of €241.00 per week including €10.00 per week Over 80 Allowance and Living Alone Allowance of €7.70. He also has income of over €100.00 per week from a private pension. As this amount is in excess of the income limit allowable for eligibility to a fuel allowance, his application was disallowed and he was notified accordingly. It is not possible to waive the requirements for qualification to Fuel Allowance on an individual basis.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied) in County Wexford have been refused supplementary welfare allowance pending a decision on jobseeker's benefit; if she will ensure that they receive funding to enable them to sustain themselves and their two dependant children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47271/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The Executive has advised that one of the people concerned has made an application for a basic weekly payment of supplementary welfare allowance pending a decision on a claim for Jobseeker's allowance. The Executive has further advised that a decision will be made on her application for supplementary welfare allowance as soon as the Executive receive evidence of her spouse's income from self employment. The person concerned has also made an application for rent supplement. However, payment of a rent supplement is excluded in legislation where a person or their spouse/partner is in full-time employment.