Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 174: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for mortgage supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44592/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

One of the qualifying conditions for mortgage interest supplement is that the amount of mortgage interest payable by the claimant should not exceed such amount as the Health Service Executive (HSE) considers reasonable to meet his or her residential and other needs. However in exceptional circumstances, the HSE may award a supplement where the amount of mortgage interest payable by a person exceeds such amount as the HSE considers reasonable to meet his or her residential and other needs. Such a supplement is only payable for a maximum of 12 months from the date of the claim.

The HSE has advised that the person concerned applied for mortgage interest supplement in August 2009 and was awarded a mortgage interest supplement as an exceptional measure for 12 months until 30 September 2010 as, in the opinion of the HSE, the mortgage interest payable exceeded such amount it considered reasonable to meet her residential and other needs. The HSE further advised that payment of mortgage interest supplement has now ceased and the person concerned has appealed the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.