Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when jobseeker's benefit will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22178/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned claimed jobseeker's benefit on 26 January 2009. The Department's records show that he has insufficient qualifying contributions paid and/or credited in the governing contribution year (2007). Following an investigation into the insurability of his employment between 1 March 2007 and 11 October 2007 it was decided that his employment in this period was insurable at PRSI Class A. The decision was issued on 29 May 2009 and because the decision can be appealed by the person concerned or by the employer within 21 days the jobseeker's benefit claim cannot be decided until the period for appeal expires on the 19 June 2009. It is open to the person concerned to apply for jobseeker's allowance or supplementary welfare allowance in the meantime.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a rent support review will be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this question will be accepted as an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22206/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The position remains as advised in Parliamentary Questions 320 and 168 which I answered for the Deputy on the 12 and 28 May 2009 respectively. The Executive has advised that rent supplement was refused as total household income was deemed to be sufficient to meet the accommodation costs of the person concerned. He appealed against this decision to an Appeals Officer of the Executive but that appeal was unsuccessful. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer's decision on 19 February 2009 and advised of a further right of appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. No such appeal has been received to date.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements. This parliamentary question has been accepted as an appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer of the Department, on behalf of the person concerned who will be in contacted by the Appeals Office and requested to outline in writing the specific grounds of his appeal.