Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 238: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for supplementary welfare will be awarded in view of the extenuating circumstances to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11660/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the HSE based on the particular circumstances of the case. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment.

The HSE has advised that the application for assistance from the person concerned was refused as the need was not established. The person concerned was advised in writing of her right to appeal the decision to the relevant appeals office in the HSE.

The HSE has further advised that the appeals officer has upheld the decision of the Community Welfare Officer to refuse an ENP to the person concerned.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 239: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of landlords in receipt of rent supplement payments who are resident overseas; the value of such payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11710/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Of the 97,400 tenancies, where rent supplement is currently payable, the Department systems show 1,725 tenancies where the landlords address is recorded as outside the State. Rent supplement is paid directly to the tenant in Ireland in 1,500 of these cases with 200 cases where the rent supplement is paid directly to the landlord outside of the State.

The current annual value of rent supplement payments made to tenants whose landlords live outside the state is approximately €8.2 million per annum; this represents approximately 1.6% of the total expenditure on rent supplement. The value of rent supplement payments being paid directly to landlords living abroad is approximately €1 million per annum; this represents approximately 0.2% of the total expenditure on rent supplement.