Vol. 451 No. 1
10 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will regularise the situation whereby children's allowance claims can only be made by a woman and not equally by the father having regard in particular to the situation where the father is bringing up the children on his own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5842/95]
Child benefit is payable to the person with whom the child is normally resident in accordance with regulations. Under these provisions, where the child is resident with both parents, entitlement to benefit is conferred on the mother. Where a child is resident with one parent only, the benefit is paid to that parent. Consequently, where the father is bringing up children on his own, child benefit is payable to him.
The existing arrangements whereby child benefit is generally paid to the mother are in line with the recommendations of the First Commission on the Status of Women in 1972. Furthermore, a recent empirical study commissioned by the Combat Poverty Agency has supported this approach. In these circumstances, I have no proposals for changes in the existing practice whereby child benefit is generally paid to the mother.
11 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the consideration, if any, he has given to extending the time availability of the free travel scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the problems the time restrictions cause; if he will ease the time restriction by half an hour in the morning and evening as this would not affect commuters travelling to and from work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6126/95]
The purpose of the free travel scheme is to encourage elderly people to remain active in the community by giving them access to spare capacity on the various public transport systems. Expenditure on the scheme this year will amount to almost £31 million and will benefit some 440,000 people.
Time restrictions have been a feature of the free travel scheme since its inception. They are necessary on city bus routes because the transport services concerned are under severe pressure from commuters travelling to or from work or school in the morning and evening and they would be unable to cope with the additional volume of passengers arising if the restrictions did not apply.
Time restrictions, however, do not apply in the case of mentally-handicapped people, people attending long term rehabilitation courses and certain other disabled or blind people.
Time restrictions apply generally from 7 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday inclusive. Any reduction in the period of the restrictions, even by half an hour in the morning and evening as suggested by the Deputy, would have significant cost implications for the transport companies involved who in turn would be forced to seek compensation from my Department. Any improvement to the scheme along those lines could only be considered in the context of additional resources being made available and whether extension of the scheme to other categories would not be a better use of these resources.
12 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare in view of the evidence that many of those persons entitled to social welfare and health board benefits are not taking up their full entitlements, the proposals, if any, he has to increase awareness among clients of their entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6210/95]
The provision of comprehensive information in a clear and simple manner is an essential element in the effective delivery of social welfare services. It remains a priority within my Department to ensure that people are fully aware of their rights and advised and assisted when the need arises to avail of benefits or allowances to which they are entitled.
Information leaflets and booklets relating to each scheme are available from any of the 58 social welfare local offices throughout the country. That network of local offices is computerised and is in a position to provide detailed information on the full range of services locally.
All developments and improvements in social welfare services are widely advertised using an appropriate mix of media at local and national level. Selective use is also made of "freephone" services to provide information on the introduction of new schemes or, for example, at budget time.
The regional management structure of my Department enables staff to identify the needs of customers at regional and local level and to tailor the delivery of services, including information services, to meet those needs. Customer panels and customer surveys are among the mechanisms now being used to take account of the views and experiences of customers when assessing the effectiveness of our information services.
