Vol. 432 No. 1
129 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider a special provision for twins similar to that provided for triplets and other multiple births in view of the recent submission made to him by parents of twins.
A grant of £300 is paid on the birth of triplets at present. In this year's budget, I introduced a similar grant of £200 on the birth of twins. I also introduced significant increases in child benefit. From September, the monthly child benefit payment will increase to £20 for each of the first three children and to £23 for the fourth and each subsequent child.
Under existing legislation double payments of child benefit are made in respect of triplets and other multiple births. These arrangements are in acknowledgement of the special nature of such births and the additional costs associated with them. The introduction of similar arrangements in respect of twins would have financial implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.
130 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of payment of long term unemployment assistance which a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 was in receipt of; the amount of disability benefit to which he will be entitled when he is released from hospital; and the reason for the loss in income which that will involve.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £46 up to 20 May 1993. He is currently in receipt of disability benefit at the weekly rate of £31.25.
His wife is in receipt of invalidity pension at the weekly rate of £66.00. The person concerned has been advised that it would be more beneficial for the couple for his wife to apply for an increase of invalidity pension on the basis that her husband is an adult dependant. This would result in an increase of £46 per week in the invalidity pension and the cessation of the disability benefit. Accordingly the total amount payable to the couple would be restored to total payable before the person concerned entered hospital. If applied for, the adjustment will be backdated and there will be no loss.
The reduced rate of disability benefit, £31.25 in this case, is based on the entitlements payable to persons with low earnings.
131 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of social welfare recipients who were investigated by his Department in 1992 for abuse; the number of cases where abuse was confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The detection of fraud and abuse of social welfare expenditure is an integral part of the work of my Department. All officers involved in the processing and payment of social welfare entitlements are concerned with the prevention and detection of abuse of the schemes and the elimination of fraud. There are also specific investigation units, which work at local, regional and national level.
