Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 4

Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefit.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

154 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare in relation to a situation where a husband separated from his wife who is on unemployment assistance at a reduced rate because of his estranged wife's earnings but has established a second relationship and a child of that second relationship has been born, if the person concerned can claim full unemployment assistance for himself, his common law wife and the child of that union; if so, if full unemployment assistance for a couple with one child will be paid and the earnings of the estranged wife ignored or if the common law wife should claim unmarried mother's allowance for herself and her child; the amount of unemployment assistance which would be paid if it were the full rate or the reduced rate, taking into account the fact that he is now receiving £50 per week; if their total income will be continued on the reduced rate of unemployment assistance if his common law wife were to get unmarried mothers' allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3892/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

A recipient of unemployment assistance who is living with a partner is entitled to claim an adult dependant increase provided the partner is not in receipt of a social welfare payment in his or her own right and does not have a weekly income exceeding £60 per week — the adult dependant income limit. In assessing means for unemployment assistance account is taken of any benefit deriving from a spouse's or partner's earnings. However, a husband who is estranged from his wife and receiving no maintenance or support from her would not be assessed with any means from her earnings.

Lone parent's allowance is payable to a person who is bringing up a child without the support of a partner, for example, a person who is unmarried or separated. The allowance is not payable where the person is cohabiting with someone as husband or wife. At present, the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to a person with an adult dependant and one child dependant is £110.80 per week. If the Deputy has a difficulty concerning a specific case I will be glad to have the matter investigated.