Vol. 413 No. 3
21 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will examine the cases of persons (details supplied) in Cork who are in one household and who are being paid less than their entitlement in unemployment assistance.
The persons in question had their means investigated within the past two months by a social welfare officer. As a result of these investigations a deciding officer assessed the means in each case at £19.30 per week. This assessment is derived from the value of board and lodging in their parents' home. The home income is derived from their father's earnings. The rate of unemployment assistance payable in each case is the maximum appropriate rate less the means assessed. Appeals have been received from three of the four persons concerned and have been forwarded to the independent social welfare appeals office for consideration.
22 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on the fact that a demand issued from his Department to the sister of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for the refund of the week's pension paid the weekend he died; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was in receipt of an old age contributory pension of £64 per week up to the time he died on 10 October 1991. When his pension book was returned to my Department following his death, it was noted that the pension order for the week beginning the 11 October 1991 had been cashed. This gave rise to an overpayment of £64. A letter requesting repayment of this amount issued to his representatives earlier this month.
23 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there is any assistance available for children of medical card holders who are taking secretarial examinations; and, if not, if he will consider introducing such assistance.
27 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider paying exam fees, such as those for secretarial examinations, for students who are children of medical card holders.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together.
There are no provisions in the income maintenance schemes administered by my Department whereby assistance can be provided towards the costs of secretarial or other examination fees. Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme once-off payments can be made to meet exceptional needs. Generally speaking, however, expenses of this kind would not be regarded as coming within this category.
There are no plans for the introduction of specific provisions on the lines proposed.
24 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider including widows who are in receipt of widows contributory or non-contributory pensions in the free travel scheme from their 60th birthday onwards.
The free travel scheme applies to all those who have attained pensionable age (i.e. 66 years of age or over), to blind persons aged 18 or over and to persons receiving social welfare type payments as permanently incapacitated person. The scheme enables those people to travel free on certain bus, train and ferry services and it also provides free travel for accompanying spouses or, in the case of recipients of disabled person's maintenance allowance who cannot travel alone, for their companions.
A reduction to 60 years of age in the age requirement for those in receipt of widows pensions would create a demand for similar treatment to be given to those in receipt of other social welfare payments. Such a development would have significant cost implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.
25 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated total amounts which will be paid this year for unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance; and the estimated figures for next year.
The total amounts which will be paid this year on unemployment benefit, including associated pay-related benefit, and on unemployment assistance are estimated at £226.55 million and £602.4 million respectively.
Preparation of the Estimates for 1992 is at an advanced stage and they will be available in due course on publication of the Book of Estimates.
