John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal for supplementary welfare will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [3280/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under Section 201 of the 2005 Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) may make a single payment to meet an exceptional need to people on social welfare or health board payments. These payments are known as Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and are made to assist with any essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet from his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.

The person concerned was refused an ENP in November 2009 as in the opinion of the CWO the person concerned did not have an exceptional need at the time of the application. The person concerned was advised of her right to appeal the decision to the designated Appeals Office of the HSE. To date no appeal has been received. The person concerned should contact the local HSE Appeals Office, 8 O'Connell Street, Clonmel, Co.Tipperary. (phone: 052-6125758) should she wish to appeal the original decision to refuse an ENP.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when invalidity appeal will be heard in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3331/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.

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 440: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a domiciliary care allowance appeal will be heard in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3332/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.