1331 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for refusal of mortgage relief to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [33693/10]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement in April 2009 as in the opinion of the HSE the amount of mortgage interest payable exceeded the amount considered reasonable to meet his needs and the person concerned was not in a position to meet the repayments under the loan agreement at the time the mortgage agreement commenced. The HSE further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision but it was upheld in May 2009.

The person concerned has made a new application for mortgage interest supplement but no decision has been made on his application to date. The HSE will contact the person concerned directly when a decision has been made on his application.