Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring

Question:

242 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether the rules for assessing disabled person's maintenance allowance will change when the responsibility for paying this allowance is transferred from the health boards to his Department, for example, whether payment will be limited to the total income of a household. [11424/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The legislative basis for the transfer of responsibility for the administration of the disabled person's maintenance allowance scheme from the health boards to this Department is contained in the Social Welfare Act, 1996. It is intended that the transfer will take place later this year and the scheme will be known as disability allowance.

The provisions of the Social Welfare Act include a number of important improvements in the scheme. First, in relation to the means assessment, the present arrangement which applies in the unemployment assistance scheme, whereby, when the spouse of a person claiming the allowance is employed, a disregard of £45 per week plus travel expenses is allowed, will also apply to disability allowance. There will also be an improvement in the assessment of capital, including a disregard of the first £2,000. Furthermore, in determining means, the present arrangement under which no assessment is made in respect of benefit and privilege will continue.

In addition to the more favourable means assessment, persons in receipt of disability allowance may also benefit from the following improvements in the conditions of the scheme. Two full rates of payment will be made where a couple are both eligible for the allowance — this is currently restricted to a personal and adult dependant rate. Where a person is admitted to hospital, payment of disability allowance will continue for 13 weeks instead of the current eight weeks in a calendar year. If a dependent child remains in full-time education, an increase will be made in respect of him or her until she/he reaches the age of 22 — the increase is currently payable up to 21 years of age. A child increase will no longer be terminated if a dependent child is in hospital for more than eight weeks. Persons who are dissatisfied with a decision on their claim for disability allowance may appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office.

The question of further changes in the scheme will be considered following the transfer and in the light of any recommendations emerging from the work of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities.

Mary Wallace

Question:

243 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance in County Meath; and the number of persons in receipt of a blind person's pension in County Meath. [11534/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Recipients in County Meath at 31 December 1995.

Disabled person's mainten ance allowance	678
Blind person's pension	53

Albert Reynolds

Question:

244 Mr. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made to investigate an appeal for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and the reason for the delay in finalising this appeal. [11538/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance based on a means assessment of £14 per week. His claim was reviewed and his means were increased to £88 per week with effect from 21 February 1996, based on income from farming. He appealed this decision and his claim was considered by an appeals officer who has granted his request for an oral hearing. An oral hearing is being arranged and he will be advised of the exact date and venue as soon as arrangements have been completed.