Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of welfare claims processed electronically; the amount saved on welfare payments processed electronically; the breakdown of the amount the State would save if all social welfare payments were made electronically; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13423/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department supports government policy which aims to facilitate the greater use of electronic payment systems in the economy in the interests of developing a world class payments environment in Ireland. Our payment strategy is designed to ensure that cost effective arrangements are in place for making payments to social welfare customers by using a range of payment options and to ensure that new payment facilities are made available to customers as they arise.

The Department is implementing a three year strategy to change paper based payment instruments to electronic payments at post offices, banks and other financial institutions, including certain credit unions that have financial regulatory approval. Currently some 84% of customers receive their payment electronically direct to their post office or financial institution. Some 47% of customers are paid by electronic fund transfer (EFT) to an account in their financial institution and 37% are paid by electronic information transfer (EIT) at their local post office. Of the remaining customers, 9% are paid by a book of personalised payable orders (PPO) at their local post office and 7% are paid by cheque.

The use of PPO books as a payment method is being phased out and there will be no further payment by PPO book from the end of September 2009. Savings in printing and book production costs of €2.29m will accrue to the Department in a full year, and four support staff will be redeployed to other duties. Plans are also underway to phase out the use of cheques as a payment method which will result in further savings on cheque production and postage.

Customers will also see benefits as changes in circumstances, such as change of address or change of post office or financial institution can be made immediately rather than taking a week or more when the return of a PPO book was required. Maintenance changes, including changes in circumstances or rates of payments, also provide additional administrative savings. The full benefits of these saving will be achieved as the remaining customers are moved to electronic payment methods. There is no cost to the Department for payments by EFT to a financial institution. Payments to An Post cost the State an average of €1.45 per transaction. An Post were paid a total of €54m for payment delivery services in 2008.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when supplementary welfare allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13426/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Executive has advised that it has no record of an application for SWA from the person concerned. If the person concerned wishes to make such an application she should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: 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. [13427/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible persons living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.

The Executive has advised that it received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned in October 2008. The delay in processing his application is due to an issue over the valuation of land owned by the person concerned and his family. The Executive has advised that this issue should be resolved within the next week when it should be possible to make a decision on his rent supplement claim.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when jobseeker's allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13430/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The claim for jobseeker's allowance by the person concerned was refused by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 16 September 2008 on the grounds that he failed to show that his means do not exceed the statutory limit. An appeal was opened on 21 October 2008 and I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office, that in accordance with the statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officers comments on the grounds of appeal.

The relevant documentation is now to hand and the case has been considered by an Appeals Officer who has decided 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 367: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when supplementary welfare allowance will be granted pending a decision on an application for jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13452/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Executive has advised that it has no record of an application for SWA from the person concerned. If the person concerned wishes to make such an application he should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an increase in rent support will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13586/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The Executive has advised that the entitlement of the person concerned to rent supplement is as communicated to the Deputy on 5 March 2009 and 12 March 2009.