Vol. 471 No. 8
101 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has satisfied himself with the level of contributions received by his Department from liable relatives towards payments of social welfare benefits; and his views in this regard. [22302/96]
The yield from the operation of the "liability to maintain family" provisions of the Social Welfare Acts arises through a combination of contributions from liable relatives, claim withdrawl by some lone parents and through claim reductions or termination by the Department on discovery of new facts. Contributions from liable relatives towards the cost of social welfare payments have amounted to almost £0.4 million for the current year to the end of October, with a further £0.23 million in related scheme savings.
The process of maintenance recovery is a difficult and protracted one. A large proportion of liable relatives are not in a financial position to pay because they are in receipt of a social welfare payment or are in low-wage employment. In addition more than a quarter of liable relatives cannot be traced. Maintenance recovery action can be realistically pursued only with persons who can be traced and who have the means to make a contribution.
While the number of liable relatives contributing is low, the yield is continuing to grow and ways of building on this are being considered in the Department.
