Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Employment Development Programme.

Liam Burke

Question:

55 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons employed in the community employment development scheme in the disadvantaged areas of Cork city are deprived of clothes allowance for children who are receiving confirmation and holy communion as the allowance was granted in previous years and as this is causing hardship to families; the reason these people are penalised for working under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress programme; and if he will have this matter rectified to their satisfaction.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

Participants in the Community Employment Development Programme (CEDP) in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress area partnerships are allowed to retain any secondary benefits, to which they were automatically entitled when they were in receipt of a social welfare payment, in addition to their basic weekly allowance.

Secondary benefits may consist of the following: Christmas bonus, fuel and butter vouchers, medical cards, local authority differential rent, back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance and rent and mortgage interest supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme a Health Board may make an exceptional needs payment where, in the opinion of the board, exceptional circumstances exist which would warrant such a payment. Such payments may arise in respect of communion and confirmation expenses; however, these are essentially once-off discretionary payments and are not regarded as secondary benefits for the purpose of the CEDP areas.