Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of capital disregard for means test purposes for all social welfare payments; if same applies to special saving incentive account savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3140/09]

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if former special saving incentive accounts are included for means testing applicants for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3351/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.

In assessing means for social assistance purposes, account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property (except the family home). Capital may include the following: Stocks and shares of every description, which are assessed according to their current market value. Savings certificates / bonds / national instalment savings, which are also assessed according to their current market value. Money invested in a bank, building society etc.

For the purposes of most social assistance schemes including jobseeker's allowance, the first €20,000 of capital is disregarded for means test purposes. The first €50,000 is disregarded in the case of disability allowance while the first €5,000 is disregarded in the case of supplementary allowance. Capital amounts formerly held in Special Savings Investment Accounts are treated in the same manner as other capital.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not received a rent subsidy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3361/09]

Mary 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.

The Executive has advised that the person concerned applied for mortgage interest supplement. He was requested to provide further information in relation to the value of a second property which he owns. The Executive has further advised that a decision will be made on the application for mortgage interest supplement when the person concerned provides the information as sought by the HSE.