157 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36899/10]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has made an application for rent supplement. The person was requested to provide further information in order to process his application for rent supplement and a decision will be made on his application when the information has been provided.

158 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) have been refused rent supplement following their move to new accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36908/10]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that payment of rent supplement to the person concerned ceased as the persons concerned moved accommodation and did not inform the HSE. Rent supplement is payable in respect of a tenancy and where a rent supplement recipient moves accommodation that person must complete a new application form in respect of their new tenancy. The HSE further advised that the persons concerned should contact the community welfare officer at their local health centre if they wish to make an application for rent supplement in respect of their new accommodation.

159 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [36916/10]

An application was received from the person to whom the Deputy refers on 1 September, 2010. Following assessment of the application, which involved assessment of his self-employment contributions, a decision was made on 13 October 2010 that he is entitled to a widower's contributory pension at the maximum personal rate of €201.50 per week, with effect from 27 August 2010. Arrangements for payment of arrears of pension have also been made.

Under Social Welfare legislation, six weeks of the deceased person's pension is payable to a spouse after the date of death if the deceased was in receipt of a qualified adult increase for their spouse or if the spouse was in receipt of a social welfare payment in their own right. The late spouse was not in receipt of a qualified adult increase for her husband and neither was the applicant in receipt of another social welfare payment at the time of his spouse's death. However, he had lodged an application for carer's allowance prior to the death of his spouse and this is currently being assessed. If it is decided that the applicant was entitled to carer's allowance at the date of death of his spouse, then he will be entitled to six weeks payment of her invalidity pension. A decision will be notified to the applicant as soon as possible.

160 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of claimants of rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement, by quarter, from January to September 2010. [36917/10]

The following tabular statement provides information on recipients of rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement by quarter from January to September 2010.