Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
335 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Offaly is entitled to supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20739/04]
View answerThe objective of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, is to provide assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their basic needs. With effect from 1 May 2004, a person must be habitually resident in the State in order to qualify for basic supplementary welfare allowance.
The Midland Health Board was contacted regarding this case and has advised that the person concerned was refused basic supplementary welfare allowance on the basis that he does not satisfy the habitual residency condition. He has been advised of his right to appeal against this decision to the health board appeals officer.
