Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be assessed for a jobseeker's allowance. [7241/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for a jobseeker's allowance payment on 27 November 2008. He was requested by a Social Welfare Inspector to provide details of his parents' income. However, he failed to provide the necessary information and consequently his claim was closed. He was informed of this on 29 January, 2009.

He made a fresh application on 11 February 2009 and a Social Welfare Inspector is scheduled to meet him on 3 March 2009 to assess his means. On completion of enquiries a decision will be made as soon as possible and he 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when disability allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7294/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An application for disability allowance, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 25 November 2008 on the grounds that he did not satisfy the statutory means assessment for eligibility to this allowance. He appealed this decision and, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that this case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to the household package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7296/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not made an application for the household benefits package. An application form has now issued to her as a result of this representation. On receipt of the completed application form, a decision will be made and she will be notified of the outcome.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7297/09]

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. The Executive has advised that the person concerned has applied for rent supplement. He was requested to provide further information in relation to land which he owns. A decision will made on the application of the person concerned for rent supplement when he provides the information as sought by the HSE.