Vol. 515 No. 3
262 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason United Kingdom pensioners, resident in Ireland and living alone, are excluded from the living alone allowance; and the plans, if any, he has to amend the regulations to enable them to qualify. [5892/00]
The purpose of the living alone allowance of £6 per week is to recognise the extra cost of living alone. It is payable as an addition to weekly social welfare pensions to people aged 66 years of age or over, who are in receipt of certain social welfare type payments, and who reside alone.
The allowance is an integral part of the Irish pension system and is designed to cover a specific contingency. As such, it has no applicability vis-à-vis pension payments made under the social security regimes of other EU member states or countries with which Ireland has bilateral agreements. This is fully in accordance with the EU regulations which allow all member states to decide which benefits are granted and under what conditions.
263 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that unemployment assistance continued in payment at the rate of £137.90 per week up to 18 January 2000 to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who submitted a disability benefit claim to his employment exchange on 6 January 2000; the steps, if any, he will take to redress this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5956/00]
The person concerned had been receiving long-term unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £137.90, including a fuel allowance of £8.00. He claimed disability benefit from 5 January 2000 to 27 January 2000 after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He then resumed claiming unemployment assistance.
The rate of disability benefit payable was £74.20. However he continued to receive unemployment assistance up to 18 January, and, consequently, there was an over-payment for the period between 5 January and 18 January. This over-payment is not being recovered. Payment of disability benefit was made from 19 January to 27 January 2000 at the rate of £74.20 per week.
In addition, he qualified for an additional payment of supplementary welfare allowance in the amount of £29.80 for the period 19 January to 27 January. That amount was subsequently recovered from him in error but arrangements have since been made to have it refunded to him.
