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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Noel Ahern

Question:

340 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason dental benefit was refused to a person (details supplied); his views on the regulations which seem to discriminate against persons who take third level education in view of the fact that they commence work at 22 and 23 years of age and cannot have the required level of contributions by 25 years of age; and if he will examine the regulations and alter them to bring equality and justice in this regard. [8153/97]

An underlying principle of a social insurance scheme is that, to establish entitlement to benefit, persons must have been insurably employed and paid appropriate rates of PRSI for a certain length of time. The requirement in the case of treatment benefits, for persons aged 25 years and over, is a minimum of 260 weeks' paid contributions. The person concerned does not satisfy this requirement.

In recognition of the difficulties that those younger than 25 would have in meeting these insurance conditions, the contribution condition for those under 25 years of age was reduced in July 1992 to 39 paid contributions.

Any further relaxation in the insurance conditions for receipt of treatment benefits would have financial implications and is a matter for consideration within the constraints of budgetary policy and the best targeting of available resources.

Noel Ahern

Question:

341 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the payments a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 is receiving from his Department; the number of children for whom she is claiming; if he will give the weekly, monthly or occasional amounts she is receiving in respect of lone parent's allowance, child benefit, supplementary welfare allowance and other benefits; the investigations, if any, carried out by his Department on the validity of her social welfare claims in view of the fact that it is widely known that her partner of many years, a suspected drug pusher, lives with her on a next to permanent basis and is father of all her children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8154/97]

It is clear from the details supplied by the Deputy that the question is not being asked on behalf of the person concerned. In those circumstances it would be inappropriate to disclose details in relation to the person concerned.

My Department has noted the concerns expressed by the Deputy. From time to time the Department receives information regarding the continuing entitlement of persons to social welfare payments and in all cases these are followed up and appropriate action taken if verified by our staff.

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