Vol. 482 No. 3
269 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the savings, if any, there are to the Exchequer since the regulations for part-time workers were changed in November 1996; the number of part-time workers who are better off as a result of the new system; the number of part-time workers who are worse off as a result of the new system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17585/97]
Under the new arrangements for the assessment of earnings from employment for unemployment assistance purposes, which came into force in November 1996, an unemployed person who works up to three days a week, may, subject to the level of his or her earnings, qualify for the full rate of UA for that week, including payment in respect of the days in the week on which the person worked. The improved arrangements provide that earnings are assessed at 60 per cent. In addition, persons without children are allowed a £10 disregard for each day worked, while the balance of earnings are assessed at 60 per cent.
The previous arrangements, which have now been replaced, provided that payment was only made in respect of the days in the week on which the person was unemployed, less one-sixth of their weekly means for each day of unemployment. Claimants were allowed to earn up to £15 above the appropriate daily rate of UA before being assessed with means. However, no payment was made in respect of days of employment, irrespective of the level of daily earnings.
The introduction of the new arrangements has served two purposes. Firstly, it ensures that claimants have an incentive to work at all levels of earnings, even where the level of pay is less than the rate of UA. Secondly, the new arrangements make it easier for people to see clearly for themselves just how much better off they will be if they take up part-time or casual employment as opposed to claiming UA.
270 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will change the regulations to allow free fuel to be paid to persons in receipt of disability pension and under 66 years of age and living alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17657/97]
The national fuel scheme is a non-statutory means tested scheme which provides assistance to qualified householders who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5 per week is paid to eligible households for 26 weeks, from mid October to mid April.
I understand the Deputy is referring to recipients of disability benefit who receive payment by way of a book of payable orders. Recipients of any short-term social welfare payment or long-term disability benefit do not qualify for the fuel allowance.
However, there is a facility available through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs. Under that scheme, a person who may have exceptional heating costs due to ill-health or infirmity may qualify for a heating allowance. An application for a heating allowance may be made by contacting a community welfare officer at the local health centre.
Extending the scheme to long-term disability benefit recipients would have financial implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.
