Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1992

Vol. 420 No. 9

Written Answers. - Act Amendment.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

203 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any intentions of amending that section of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 which prohibits supplementary welfare assistance being given under any circumstances to those in employment; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if, in the circumstances he will take exceptional steps to assist, in this very severe case of hardship, and in similar cases, so that the necessary aid is given; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. McCreevy)

Section 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 provides that persons in remunerative full-time work are not entitled to assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowances scheme.

The only provision of the Act under which assistance can be given to a person who is working is Section 213 which allows a Health Board to make special payments, in cases of extremely urgent need. The Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme in the Dublin area, has advised that such a payment was made to the person in question in March of this year.

The particular difficulties in this case relate to the fact that the person's wife has recently become disabled and I understand that he has now received a Medical Card in respect of her. There is no provision in the schemes for which I am responsible under which additional assistance can be given in this type of situation.

Amendment of the legislation to include persons in full-time employment generally within the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme would have major implications. There are currently no plans to extend the scheme in this way.