Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 1

Written Answers. - Nutrition Advisory Group.

Máirín Quill

Question:

32 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations of the nutrition advisory group for a food and nutrition policy in Ireland; and his Department's role in providing additional assistance for low income groups who have difficulty in providing themselves with an adequate diet. [1316/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The nutrition advisory group (NAG) was established by the Minister for Health in 1991. Its brief was to advise on all issues relating to nutrition and to draw up recommendations for a food and nutrition policy.

The group published its report Recommendations for a Food and Nutrition Policy for Ireland on 16 November 1995. It recommends that all government departments should be required to take health considerations into account when deciding on policies which influence food production and consumption.

Under the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, every person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet his needs and the needs of any adult or child dependent of his, has an entitlement to Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA). It is expected that the normal day to day food bills would be met from any weekly social welfare payment.

As long as a person is entitled to receive assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, additional assistance in the form of a weekly diet supplement, is available to an eligible person who has been prescribed a specified diet arising from a specific medical condition and whose means are insufficient to meet this need.

Entitlement to a diet supplement is determined by the health boards under the provisions of SI No. 382 of 1995 which specifies the medical conditions in respect of which a diet supplement may be paid. The main considerations in determining entitlement for a diet supplement are by reference to the type of diet prescribed, the household income and whether the person in respect of whom the diet supplement is payable is an adult or a child. A person who wishes to apply for a diet supplement should contact the community welfare officer at their local health centre.

The Government's policy agreement of December 1994, A Government of Renewal, included a commitment to commission the Economic and Social Research Institute to review the minimum adequate income rates recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare. The review is under way and will put forward suggestions for new rates in the light of improvements in social welfare and other changes since the report of the commission was published, taking into account changes set out in the policy agreement. It will provide an objective basis for assessing the adequacy of payments taking account of clients' basic needs. The review will be completed by mid 1996.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

33 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department is discriminating against the family with dependent children through the application of the conditions laid down in circular SWA 9/94 dated 29 July 1994, and in particular, his decision to impose the restrictive clause of this circular which limits a rent/mortgage supplement to £250 per month when the spouse/partner of such a family takes up employment on a community employment project. [17650/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme a weekly supplement may be paid in respect of rent or mortgage interest to people who are unable to meet their housing needs from their own resources. Entitlement to a supplement is determined by the health boards and supplements are normally calculated to ensure that the person, after payment of rent or mortgage interest, has an income equal to the rate of SWA appropriate to the family circumstances, less £6. This £6 represents the minimum contribution which clients are required to pay from their own resources. In the calculation of the amount of rent supplement payable, the legislation enables the health board to set rent limits.

The community employment (CE) scheme was launched on 11 April 1994, by the then Minister for Enterprise and Employment, following a review of existing schemes for the unemployed by an interdepartmental policy committee on local development. The highest weekly or monthly outgoing for most people is in respect of their rent or mortgage payments. It was decided that a contribution towards these costs would continue by allowing participants on community employment schemes to retain secondary benefits, and thus to reduce the disincentives arising from the loss of such benefits on taking up employment.

Under the terms of the community employment scheme participants may have income up to £250 per week and retain their entitlement to rent-mortgage interest supplements and must contribute a standard minimum contribution of £8.10 towards their accommodation costs.

In addition rent and mortgage supplementation is subject to a maximum limit of £250 per month.

These arrangements which apply to all community employment participants irrespective of family size are considered to be reasonably generous for all within the terms of the scheme and not to discriminate unfairly against any category.