James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; when same will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44566/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 5 October 2010. Her claim was assessed by a medical assessor of the department, based upon the medical evidence supplied by the customer. The medical assessor 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 22 November 2010 advising her of this decision.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44568/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on the 22nd June 2010. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for domiciliary care allowance. A letter issued on the 3rd September 2010 advising the customer of the decision to refuse domiciliary care allowance.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath became eligible for rent allowance under supplementary welfare allowance and the date from which they applied originally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44584/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To qualify for payment of rent supplement a person must have been residing in private rented accommodation for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement. A person may also qualify for rent supplement where an assessment of housing need has been carried out within the 12 months preceding the date of claim and the person is deemed by the relevant local authority to be eligible for and in need of social housing support.

In all other cases, a person who wishes to apply for rent supplement is referred, in the first instance, for an assessment of eligibility for social housing support by the local housing authority in the area where the claim is made (and the person intends to reside). Only when the person has been assessed as being eligible for and in need of social housing support, does the person become eligible for consideration for rent supplement. Rent supplement is not payable while a housing needs assessment is being undertaken.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the rent supplement has been awarded from 16 November 2010 as the housing needs assessment provided by her local authority was dated 15 November 2010.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason payment of supplementary allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is being stopped on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44585/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that payment of basic supplementary welfare allowance to the person concerned has been suspended as she has been requested to provide further information in relation to her medical condition. A decision will be made on reinstating her claim when the requested information has been provided.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44590/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has made an application for rent supplement and that her claim is currently under investigation. The HSE will contact the person concerned when a decision has been made.