asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make available to Deputies the newly issued guidelines on supplementary welfare allowance.
75.
Written Answers. - Supplementary Welfare Guidelines.
74.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for publication of the new guidelines on supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will indicate the reason for the failure to publish these guidelines to date.
76.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will prepare an easy to read summary of all guidelines issued by this Department on the supplementary welfare allowance which are still current, such a summary to indicate those areas which are left to the discretion of particular health boards or particular officials.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 74, 75 and 76 together.
The guidelines and the instructions issued from time to time on various aspects of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme are intended for the use of the staff in the health boards administering the scheme.
In conjunction with the review of the guidelines for the scheme a series of information leaflets covering different aspects of the scheme will be made available. These will outline the circumstances in which assistance can be provided and the degree to which this is at the discretion of the health board. A leaflet outlining the provisions for assistance with rent and mortgage payments is being prepared at present.
A detailed leaflet giving general information on the types of assistance which can be provided under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is available from information offices of the Department around the country and from the health boards.