Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 8

Written Answers. - Rent Allowance.

John Browne

Question:

21 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the cutback in the number of young people getting rent allowance, there is a corresponding cutback in the value put on board and lodgings for those applying for unemployment assistance.

John Browne

Question:

38 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there has been any change in instructions to social welfare officers regarding the value to be placed on board and lodgings for applicants for unemployment assistance.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 38 together.

There has been no change in the legislation governing the assessment of the benefit of free board and lodgings for applicants for unemployment assistance living in the family home. Neither has there been any change in the guidelines with regard to the legislation for deciding an appeals officers.

Under the supplementary welfare scheme a rent supplement may be paid to persons in receipt of social welfare or health board payments whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs. Account is taken of whether accommodation is available or not in the family home and the circumstances in which the decision to leave home was taken. I am not aware of any change in the number of young people availing of rent supplements under the scheme and there have been no changes in the guidelines issued to community welfare officers which would give rise to restricting rent supplement payments.

Research carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute on behalf of the Department indicates that the assessment of the value of board and lodging is not a prime motivating factor in inducing young single people to leave the family home and thus qualify for higher unemployment payments and rent supplements.

I am committed to further improve the present system where feasible. In order to extend a greater degree of financial independence to young unemployed people living at home I introduced a minimum weekly payment of £5 in 1991 for people who are assessed with benefit of board and lodgings. This payment will be increased later this year to £10. Also, in order to provide opportunities for young people to participate in employment, education or training I am taking special measures through the school leavers scheme which will provide real alternatives for young people to early dependence on the social welfare system.