Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Peadar Clohessy

Question:

21 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of parents from whom his Department are currently recovering moneys in lieu of lone parent's allowance payments made by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The "Liability to Maintain Family" provisions in Part IX of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993 are based on the widely-accepted obligation on people to maintain their spouses and their children. Under the legislation, where a marriage breakdown occurs and a family is dependent on social welfare income maintenance, the person who is liable to maintain that family is required to contribute towards the cost of the family's income support.

Some 11,000 cases have been examined by my Department. Almost half relate to spouses who are themselves dependent on social welfare and are not in a position to make any contribution. It is not always possible to trace the current whereabouts of deserting spouses; some emigrate, almost all change address.

Initial examination indicated that 2,412 cases had a potential ability to contribute. Further detailed assessment established that of those 710 are unable to make a contribution for a variety of reasons.

The remaining, 1,702 cases, and new cases as they arise, are in various stages of investigation. Determinations of liability have already issued to 312 liable relatives. To date, 112 liable relatives have made payments towards the cost of lone parents (separated spouses) allowance, deserted wife's allowance or deserted wife's benefit. They pay either by way of regular direct contribution to my Department or through family law court orders which are transferred to my Department. Over £190,000 has been saved for the taxpayer through this initiative. Over £127,000 has been collected as described above.

In addition, the operation of the maintenance recovery provisions has yielded direct savings on scheme expenditure, amounting to £63,000 to date. For example, some spouses make direct arrangements to provide adequate support to their families once my Department intervenes. It is expected that the contributing group will grow significantly as my Department continues its investigations on the many other cases on hands.

Changes to the liability to maintain provisions in 1992 strengthened powers of collection and enforcement. Legal proceedings are being considered in a number of cases where the liable relative has failed to comply with the legislation.

Major improvements in the computer systems in my Department currently underway will speed up the review of cases which could not be traced in the past on an ongoing basis.

I expect that these measures will increase the number of liable relatives making a contribution towards social welfare support for their deserted or separated spouses and their children.

Austin Deasy

Question:

23 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social Welfare if British pensioners living in this country, on their own, could be entitled to the free fuel allowance; and if not, if he will introduce the procedure whereby this can be allowed.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The national fuel scheme is intended to help households who are dependent on long term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. In order to qualify for the allowance an applicant must be living alone or only with a qualified dependent. A contributory pensioner can have up to £5 a week over and above the contributory pension, and still qualify for the fuel allowance.

In 1989, I extended the national fuel scheme to include recipients of pensions from other European Union members states on the same conditions, including income limits, as apply to corresponding Irish pensioners. There are some 2,500 such pensioners in receipt of the allowance at present most of whom have British pensions.

A British pensioner who lives alone and whose social security pension plus any other income when converted to Irish pounds, is not more than £5 over the corresponding Irish pension, may qualify for a fuel allowance.