Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to disallow a claim for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11385/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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 in April 2011 was refused as the need was not established.

The HSE has advised that the Appeals Office in the HSE has upheld the decision of the Community Welfare Officer to refuse an ENP to the person concerned. The person concerned has asked for his case to be reviewed by the Ombudsman's office. The HSE are currently in preparing a file with the relevant papers which will be forwarded to the Ombudsman for consideration.