Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Joe Walsh

Question:

127 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has satisfied himself that the social welfare provisions for lone parents who are in full-time education are adequate; the plans, if any, he has to improve such provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3189/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Under present arrangements, parents in receipt of one-parent family payment can avail of a number of full-time educational opportunities while retaining full title to their social welfare payment.

The educational opportunities open to people parenting alone consist of the vocational training opportunities scheme run by the Department of Education and which is operated by the vocational education committees around the country, second level certificate courses which involves attendance at any community, comprehensive, secondary or vocational school, and the third level allowance for people who wish to pursue a third level course.

In 1996, improvements were made to the third level allowance run by the Department of Social Welfare whereby students can avail of an annual £100 book grant and lone parent students on reduced rates of payment now receive the maximum rate of one-parent family payment — currently £79.70 a week for a one child family, rising to £82.70 a week from June next.

Further improvements in this area were announced in the budget, so that participants on second level certificate courses will now also qualify for the book grant and be paid at the maximum rate where they are currently in receipt of a reduced rate of payment.

I regard access to educational opportunities as a vital element in enabling lone parents to enhance their self esteem and confidence while also improving their chance of securing employment. While matters relating to educational policy are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Education, I am satisfied that the social welfare system is responding positively to the needs of lone parents in full-time education at this time.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

128 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused an exceptional needs payment for travel expenses to attend the inquest into the death of a family member; whether any clause or interpretation of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 1993, expressly forbids travel outside the country; his views on whether attending the inquest into the death of a close family member constitutes an exceptional need within the meaning of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Supplementary welfare allowance is a short-term payment which is designed to provide immediate assistance for those in need. Assistance may be provided in the form of basic payment, a basic supplement, an exceptional needs payment or an urgent needs payment. The scheme is administered by the health boards and my Department has no function in deciding entitlement in individual cases.

Neither does the legislation allow me to prescribe either the circumstances, or the nature of the need, in respect of which a payment may be made.

Under section 173 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, persons in full-time employment are excluded from receiving assistance, other than urgent needs payments, under the SWA scheme.

However, urgent needs payments are only made to meet immediate needs such as food, accommodation and clothing in the aftermath of a fire or flood.

As the applicant in question is engaged in full-time employment the health board could only consider his entitlement to an urgent needs payment. As the contingency for which he sought assistance is not covered by urgent needs payments his application was refused. I understand that an appeal was lodged on 14 January, 1997. The appeals officer disallowed the appeal on 23 January, 1997.