Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is her intention to increase the financial ceiling to qualify for rent supplement, in order that individuals who are working in community employment schemes can continue to qualify for rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14185/09]

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.

Rent supplement is calculated to ensure that an eligible person after the payment of rent has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his or her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution of €18 which each recipient is required to pay from his or her own resources. Many recipients pay more than €18 because recipients are also required to contribute a portion of any additional assessable means that they have over and above the appropriate basic supplementary welfare allowance rate towards their accommodation costs.

A person participating on a community employment scheme can continue to receive rent supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules. Since 2007, where a person has additional income in excess of the standard supplementary welfare allowance weekly rate of payment, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded for means assessment purposes. This ensures that those returning to work or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity.

Any changes to the rent supplement scheme, including an easing of the means test, would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of resources available for improvements in social welfare payments generally.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [14186/09]

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.

Rent supplement is calculated to ensure that an eligible person after the payment of rent has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his or her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution of €18 which each recipient is required to pay from his or her own resources. Many recipients pay more than €18 because recipients are also required to contribute a portion of any additional assessable means that they have over and above the appropriate basic supplementary welfare allowance rate towards their accommodation costs.

A person participating on a community employment scheme can continue to receive rent supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules. Since 2007, where a person has additional income in excess of the standard supplementary welfare allowance weekly rate of payment, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded for means assessment purposes. This ensures that those returning to work or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking u p such an opportunity.

The Executive has advised that it received a rent supplement claim from the person concerned on 2 April 2009. She will be advised shortly of the outcome of her claim.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded a farm assist payment. [14040/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for a farm assist payment on 4 March 2009. Her claim is currently with a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation of her circumstances. On completion of enquiries, a decision will be made as soon as possible and she 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.