Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1277: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when rent support arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32749/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned had been awarded rent supplement in respect of an address in Leixlip. However, this payment is currently suspended as it is understood the person in question is no longer at this address. If the person concerned has any queries regarding his rent supplement or arrears due he should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1278: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when provision will be made for optical treatment to be offered to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32750/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The optical benefit scheme, which currently offers free optical examinations, is a PRSI based scheme available to all who satisfy certain PRSI conditions. A person may also qualify for optical benefit on their spouse's/partner's PRSI record provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions and are deemed to be dependent on them. Consequently, as the person concerned is dependent on her husband, who qualifies for optical benefit, she too qualifies for this scheme and may claim by completing the relevant application form at the office of any optician on the Department's Panel.

The optical benefit scheme, however, does not apply to the children of qualified adults. Questions relating to optical provision for children are a matter for the Department of Health and Children and should be addressed to my colleague the Minister for Health and Children.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1279: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when rent assistance and arrears will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32753/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1307: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when rent assistance and arrears will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32997/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1279 and 1307 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been refused rent supplement as the HSE was not satisfied that the person concerned was residing at the address provided. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision it remains open for her to appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1280: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when rent support arrears will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32754/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement of €771 per month. The Executive further advised that payment of rent supplement of €3,855, including arrears, issued to the person concerned on 24 August 2010.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1281: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been cut and this person has not been informed that their rent allowance has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32785/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the rent supplement of the person concerned was reduced in May 2010 due to an increase in her income from employment. The HSE further advised that the person concerned would have been informed that there may be a change in her rent supplement when she received her review form. If the person concerned has any further queries in relation to her rent supplement she should contact the HSE at her local health centre.