318 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a mortgage interest supplement appeal made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34571/10]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement in November 2009 as in the opinion of the Executive the amount of mortgage interest payable exceeded the amount the Executive considers reasonable to meet his or her residential and other needs and in the opinion of the Executive it was not reasonable to award a supplement due to the amount of arrears outstanding on the loan. The HSE further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision of the HSE to the HSE Appeals Office but the decision was upheld. The HSE further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision of the HSE Appeals Office to the Social Welfare Appeals Office but that the decision to refuse mortgage interest supplement was upheld.