Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for mortgage relief in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2285/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Department.

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. Mortgage interest supplement is not payable where a person or his/her spouse or partner is in full-time employment i.e. works more than 30 hours a week. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement as his partner is in full time employment. The HSE Appeals Office has advised that the person concerned appealed the decision to refuse mortgage interest supplement on 15 December 2009 but that no decision has been made on his appeal to date. The HSE Appeals Office will contact the person concerned directly when a decision has been made on his appeal.