Frances Fitzgerald
Question:64 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to extend the rent allowance scheme for persons on social employment schemes who are resident outside the inner-city.
Written Answers. - Rent Allowance Scheme.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the supplementary welfare allowance operated by the health boards on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare. Participants on the Community Employment Development Programme which operates in the 12 areas targeted under the area based strategy of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress automatically retain their secondary social welfare benefits such as rent supplement. However, this is not the case with regard to the Social Employment Scheme although participants on that scheme may also qualify if they meet the eligibility criteria, which are a matter for the Minister for Social Welfare.
The question of extending the number of areas under the area based strategy is currently under consideration.