Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if income from maintenance was always fully assessable when calculating eligibility for family income supplement in view of the fact that there had been no expressed mention of maintenance in the earlier editions of the booklet SW22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26111/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The legislative provisions for family income supplement, FIS, are contained in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 - Chapter 11 of Part II Section 227 to 233 as amended and the Social Welfare(Consolidated Payments Provisions)Regulations, 2007 Section 172 to 177 as amended.

Under these provisions all income is assessable when calculating eligibility for FIS with the exceptions of income from the following; - Child Benefit - Carer's Allowance - Guardian's payments - Supplementary Welfare Allowance - Rent Allowance for tenants affected by the de-control of rents - Domiciliary Care Allowance - Foster Child Allowance - Income from casual employment by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as a home help - Income from a charitable organisation - Income from providing accommodation to students studying Irish in Gaeltacht areas under a scheme administered by the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Income from maintenance payments is not excluded from the FIS means test and is therefore assessable in full. There has been no change in the legislation concerning the assessment of maintenance payments for the FIS means test in the lifetime of that scheme.

The SW22 was updated in early 2009 to make the position clearer regarding the assessment of maintenance payments for FIS.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent support has been terminated in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26139/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken in the HSE, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.