Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth has had a back to school clothing and footwear allowance refused; if the decision will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31922/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.

Those customers who did not receive an automated payment were required to complete and return an application form to the Department. In all cases a letter issued to applicants informing them of the decision and, where payment has been awarded, when and where they could collect the payment. In the case of refusal of the allowance the procedures for review of the decision was outlined to customers. The person concerned was refused BSCFA as she does not have a qualifying payment. The person concerned can request a review by contacting the BSCFA review section in Letterkenny. Details on how to request a review are available on the Department's website at www.welfare.ie or on the refusal letter that has been provided to the applicant.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31936/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community welfare service (CWS), and the community welfare officers providing it, transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP.

The person concerned was refused rent supplement on the grounds that he had vacated local authority accommodation without satisfying the Department's representative that there was good cause for doing so.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [31942/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of this case took place on 23rd August 2011. The Appeals Officer is still considering the evidence in the case and hopes to issue a decision within the next 14 days.

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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when arrears of rent allowance for the month of July 2011 will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31948/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community welfare service (CWS) and the community welfare officers providing it transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP.

The person concerned is in receipt of his full entitlement to rent supplement based on his household circumstances. There are no arrears due to the person concerned.