The original target date was 1 July 1995, but it does not seem likely that target date will be achieved at this stage, given the complexity of adapting eight different administrative systems to produce one smooth functioning system. However, it should be possible to commence the transfer during the current year. The legislative basis for transferring the scheme will be contained in the Social Welfare (No. 3) Bill. The timescale for that Bill will affect the timescale for the transfer which cannot take effect until that Bill is enacted. I understand the Bill will be introduced in the autumn.
The financial arrangements regarding disabled person's maintenance allowance in the interim between 1 July and the date of transfer are under discussion because those arrangements will involve a transfer of resources between the Department of Health and my Department. Differences between the disabled person's maintenance allowance means test and the unemployment assistance means test operated by my Department must be ironed out. The bottom line is that the advantages people in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance currently have will be retained by them once that scheme is transferred to the Department of Social Welfare. It is not intended that their position will be disimproved but will be improved.
People who qualify for disabled person's maintenance allowance are those who have disabilities of a long term nature. There is currently a good deal of discussion about the need to give people who have disabilities an enhanced income over and above that of people who are unemployed. People with disabilities have higher living costs and we will look to the forum on disability in making recommendations in that regard. In the long term we are considering the establishment of an assistance scheme in the Department of Social Welfare. The disability benefit scheme currently in place enables employed people who become ill to claim their insurance benefits if they have sufficient contributions or credits but if they do not have enough they cannot claim any benefit and must, as Deputy O'Keeffe said, call to the community welfare officer.
It is my view that the Department should have in place a type of means tested allowances which could be claimed by employed people who become ill, similar to unemployment assistance. With the transfer of disabled person's maintenance allowance to the Department of Social Welfare there is an opportunity to consider that broader question. There are many plans afoot to develop that area. The bottom line is that people on disabled person's maintenance allowance will not lose out as a result of the transfer.