I am aware of the increasing role of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in providing support for the housing costs of those who are unable to secure local authority housing or who are unable to provide for their housing needs from their own resources. In this context, an interdepartmental group has been established with representatives of my Department, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Finance at which matters of common concern in relation to rent and mortgage supplementation and housing policy are regularly discussed.
In 1992 I established an Advisory Group, under the chairmanship of my Department, with representatives from the eight regional health boards, to review all aspects of the operation of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The group is currently working on a review of the guidelines on rent and mortgage supplementation. In the context of revising the guidelines I am concerned to ensure an equitable and effective system of provision for people who need assistance with housing costs, in the context of State provision for housing needs generally.