James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for family income supplement payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39958/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned last renewed their family income supplement (FIS) claim in December 2009. To qualify for FIS a person must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them or is supported by them. A qualified child is any child under 18 or aged 18 to 22 if in full-time education. At the time of renewal the person concerned had one qualified child in full time education and accordingly was awarded FIS. Subsequently the qualified child ceased full time education and payment of FIS was stopped.

However, current legislation provides that once FIS is awarded, it continues to be payable at the rate awarded for a period of 52 weeks provided that the person remains in employment. The rate of payment may be increased if an additional child is born in the course of the 52 weeks but there is no provision for a reduction in rate where the child ceases to be qualified during this time.

Consequently the person concerned remains entitled to a FIS payment until December 2010. Payment of FIS will now be re-instated to the person concerned and continued until December 2010. Arrears due since payment of FIS was stopped on 20th of October, totalling €260, will issue with the weekly payment due for 4th of November. The person concerned will be notified accordingly.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford who has applied for disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39959/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 30 June 2010. Her claim was assessed by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that she was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted that medical opinion and refused her claim. A letter issued to the person on 1 October 2010, advising her of this decision and of her right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.

Further medical evidence was received from the person on 26 October 2010. All medical evidence supplied, including that not originally seen, has now been examined by a different medical assessor who was also of the opinion that she was not medically suitable for disability allowance. A letter will issue shortly to the person advising her of this decision and of her right of appeal directly to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will facilitate a person (details supplied) with an increase in rent allowance as their only income is €196 per week jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39964/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned is in receipt of his full entitlement to rent supplement.