Written Answers. - Approvals of Rent Allowance.
Noel Ahern
Question:
41
Mr. N. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
if he will give instructions to all concerned not to approve rent allowances to applicants who have been evicted from local authority houses or flats for drug dealing or other anti-social behaviour.
[14838/95]
Under the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993 every person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and the needs of any adult or child dependant has an entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance (SWA).
Executive functions in relation to the administration of the SWA scheme lie with the chief executive officers of the eight regional health boards. The question of entitlement in individual cases is determined by the health board in accordance with the legislation and taking account of the circumstances of each case.
Section 179 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, as substituted by paragraph 3 of the sixth Schedule to the Act, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement, including rent and mortgage interest supplements, in the case of a person whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The legislation also enables the Minister to make regulations prescribing the circumstances and conditions under which a supplement may be paid, the class or classes of persons to whom a supplement may be paid and the amount of supplement that may be paid, and this has been done in S. I. 382 of 1995.
In view of the serious issues involved in this complex matter, I understand that arrangements have been put in place by Dublin Corporation whereby the health board will be briefed by the corporation prior to any action being taken in cases of eviction due to antisocial behaviour.
The health board will be informed of what alternative arrangements, if any, the corporation has for rehousing any members of the household considered by the corporation not to be involved in anti-social behaviour.
I am aware that this matter gives rise to a number of social and legal issues. It has policy implications in terms of families and dependants. For this reason, I have requested a further examination of the matter to be undertaken by my Department.
