Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an application for rent supplement will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, in view of their health and family circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18505/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Rent supplement is payable to people who are unable to meet the cost of renting private accommodation and is intended as a short-term support. Rent supplement is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable eligible households to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that prevail in various parts of the state.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement as an exceptional measure until 31 August 2011 in respect of accommodation which is in excess of the rent limit for his family size. The HSE further advised that the person concerned has been requested to use this period to secure accommodation that is more appropriate to his needs and where the rent charged is not more than €550 per month.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision of the community welfare officer to refuse assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18511/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) can 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. Neither I nor my Department have any function in relation to deciding an individual's entitlement.

The HSE has advised that an application for an exceptional needs payment was made in June 2011 by the person concerned and that this was refused. A letter is due to issue to the person concerned confirming this decision and advising the person of their right of appeal.