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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 2

Written Answers. - Rent Supplements.

Tony Gregory

Question:

120 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare arising from the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 166 on 11 October 1994, the arrangements, if any, which have been made to have rent supplements paid by post, bank giro or other means, particularly for over 50 year olds, to alleviate weekly queues at health centres. [4985/95]

Under the present system, in order to minimise inconvenience for clients who must attend at health centres for payment of rent or mortgage supplements, monthly payment has been introduced, where possible, by health boards. In a number of areas, rent or mortgage payments are posted to clients. The Eastern Health Board is examining the feasibility of posting rent payments to clients on a pilot basis, pending the development of a computerised system.

My Department is currently developing a new computerised system which will integrate all short term payments, including supplementary welfare allowance. This new system will support a range of modern payment methods and will facilitate the co-ordination of multiple payments, such as the payment of rent supplements along with unemployment assistance. It is planned to introduce it on a pilot basis in the health boards at the end of this year.
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