Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:39 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who have applied to the Eastern Health Board for a mortgage interest subsidy have been refused.
Written Answers. - Mortgage Interest Subsidy.
Under the provisions of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the determination of applications for assistance with mortgage repayments is a matter for each health board.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board that the persons in question obtained a mortgage in 1991 at which time they were in receipt of unemployment assistance. In the circumstances the board took the view that, as the persons concerned were not in a position to meet the mortgage repayments when they committed themselves to the purchase, the application for assistance should be refused.
The persons concerned have been notified of their right to appeal this decision. However, an appeal has not been submitted to date.