Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo meets the social welfare criteria for a place on a rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46979/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides supplementary income to certain categories of low income farming and fishing families. The Scheme is operated by my Department and managed at local level by the Local Development Companies in rural areas and Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Gaeltacht.

The person referred to has made an application to participate on the RSS and is currently receiving a qualifying payment. Decisions with regard to the placement of Participants and projects undertaken in the Achill area rests with Údarás na Gaeltachta who will be able to advise the person further.

Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has been turned down for a mortgage subsidy. [46987/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Mortgage interest supplement is subject to a means test which is normally calculated to ensure that, after payment of rent or mortgage interest, an eligible person has income equal to the rate of basic supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to their family circumstances, less a minimum contribution, currently €24, which each recipient is required to pay from his or her own resources.

The Health Service Executive has advised that there is no entitlement to mortgage interest supplement in this case as the weekly mortgage interest payable by the person concerned of €23.80 is less than the weekly minimum contribution of €24 that applicants are obliged to pay from their own resources.