Michael Ring
Question:393 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [17842/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the health board community welfare officers.
The Western Health Board has advised that the application of the family concerned was unsuccessful as they were assessed as having a household income in excess of the means limits for entitlement to the allowance. The weekly income limit appropriate to a family with four children is €372.60. The family in question has been assessed as having a weekly household income of €507.88.
Michael Ring
Question:394 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Galway qualifies for disability benefit, based on his contributions paid. [17867/02]
According to the Department's records the last PRSI contributions paid by the person concerned were at class D in the year 2000/01. Class D contributions qualify a person for widow's and widower's contributory pension, orphan's contributory allowance and occupational injuries benefits. They do not qualify a person for disability benefit.
If the person concerned is at present incapacitated and his means are not sufficient to meet his needs he may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance. Payment of this allowance is subject to a means test. He should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre who will advise him of his entitlement.
Question No. 395 answered with Question No. 392.