Vol. 489 No. 5
124 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been informed that her disability benefit will cease shortly in view of the fact that she was recently informed by a medical referee that she was unfit for work; and the way in which she can have her disability benefit restored. [8453/98]
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 15 May 1997. To qualify for payment of disability benefit beyond 12 months a person must have at least 260 contributions paid since entry into insurable employment. The person concerned has a total of 220 contributions paid which entitles her to disability benefit for a limited duration of 312 days.
Payment will continue to be made on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity up to 13 May 1998 after which she will require to have a further 13 contributions paid to requalify for benefit.
If there is financial need the person may apply for payment of supplementary welfare allowance at her local health centre. She should continue to furnish medical evidence of incapacity while she remains incapable of work in order that credited contributions can be awarded to her.
125 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will review the age limit of 18 for child dependant allowance with short-term social welfare payments in view of the introduction of the transition year which means pupils do not leave school until well after their 18th birthday. [8454/98]
Child dependant allowances are payable in respect of all children up to the age of 18 years. Where a claimant is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment, child dependant allowances are payable where children are in full-time education up to the age of 22 years, or up to the end of the academic year after the 22nd birthday. This is in recognition of the fact that families with children on long-term payments face a higher risk of poverty.
Any extension of the existing arrangements for child dependant allowances payable with short-term social welfare payments would have financial implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
The Deputy will be aware that the thrust of child income support policy in recent years has been to target resources towards providing substantial increases in child benefit, as part of a strategy aimed at ensuring that child income support is more neutral vis-à-vis the employment status of the parents. Child benefit remains one of our more effective means of tackling poverty, as it channels resources directly to families most in need. It is of particular importance to families on low incomes.
