Vol. 494 No. 5
134 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the payments to date under the heading of supplementary welfare allowance; the group or headings of supplementary welfare allowance where there has been the most notable increase in recent years; if he will outline this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18829/98]
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following statement. The most notable increase in expenditure has been in respect of rent supplements. Several factors have contributed to this increase such as large increases in rent levels; the lack of availability of local authority housing, particularly for single people; easing of eligibility criteria in certain circumstances to ease the transition from welfare to work; and the growth of marriage breakdown and the increase of one parent families which have lead to increased household formation and a consequent greater demand for rent supplements.
An inter-departmental committee, under the aegis of the Department of the Environment and Local Government, is examining the implications of transferring the administration of rent supplements to local authorities. I understand that it is expected to report shortly.
|
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 (June) |
|
|
£M |
£M |
£M |
£M |
£m |
|
|
1. Basic |
22.10 |
20.80 |
25.70 |
33.10 |
19.54 |
|
2. Rent |
44.80 |
54.70 |
62.60 |
75.30 |
40.39 |
|
3. Mortgage |
9.20 |
9.80 |
10.50 |
10.10 |
4.47 |
|
4. Other Supplements |
3.30 |
4.10 |
4.60 |
5.50 |
2.64 |
|
5. ENP/UNP |
17.80 |
17.80 |
20.50 |
21.60 |
16.37 |
|
TOTAL |
97.20 |
107.20 |
123.90 |
145.60 |
83.41 |
