Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding payment of supplementary welfare allowance towards the payment of interest on mortgage in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick. [7113/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the payment of mortgage interest supplement ceased to the persons concerned as the household income is sufficient to meet their mortgage interest costs.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary allowance will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7118/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24th November 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 8th February 2011 and the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer in due course, who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [7125/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as his rent is in excess of the maximum rent limit for his family size and as he was assessed by the local authority as not having a housing need.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason payment of invalidity pension has ceased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare despite an appeal pending and further information submitted in respect of that appeal; when a further appeal will be held given that further medical evidence submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7127/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following a second medical examination and having considered all the evidence, the appeals officer disallowed the appeal for the person concerned. Payment of invalidity pension was terminated with effect from 5th November 2009.

The decision of an appeals officer is final and conclusive in the absence of fresh facts or evidence. With regard to the latest information received on 5th January 2011, in relation to the person concerned, it is considered that it contains no fresh facts or evidence and accordingly there is no ground to review the appeals officer's decision.