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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 3

Written Answers - Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

Ivor Callely

Question:

98 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the total expenditure on supplementary payments in 1997 for people in need of housing, such as rent supplement, bed and breakfast costs and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6043/98]

The provisional outturn for expenditure under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme on rent and mortgage interest supplements in 1997 was £85.4 million broken down as follows: rent supplements, £75.3 million; mortgage interest supplements, £10.1 million.

Bed and breakfast costs in relation to homeless people are met by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. That Department has advised that £6 million was spent in 1997 on accommodation for the homeless. That sum includes expenditure on hostel and bed and breakfast accommodation.
The Government's programme identifies "maximum co-ordination of housing policy under one Department" as a key policy priority.
An interdepartmental committee under the aegis of the Department of Environment and Local Government, with representatives from the Departments of Health and Children, Social, Community and Family Affairs, and Finance, is examining the implications of transferring the administration of rent and mortgage interest supplements to local authorities. It is understood that the committee will report shortly.
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