Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits.

Richard Bruton

Question:

356 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the anomaly whereby some widows over 60 qualify for free schemes and others do not in view of the fact that those who are widowed early in their lives are disadvantaged by this provision in spite of the likelihood that they have had to sustain greater hardship; and if he will incur the small cost necessary to remove this anomaly. [23747/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The free schemes such as free electricity allowance, free TV licence and free telephone rental allowance are available to people living in the State, aged 66 or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment and to certain people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

In addition, widows-widowers aged from 60 to 65 whose late spouses had been in receipt of the free schemes retain that entitlement. This is to ensure that households do not suffer a loss of entitlements following the death of a spouse.

The free schemes were originally designed to benefit mainly older people in receipt of a social welfare type payment who were living alone and required additional assistance. However, over the years, additional categories of people have been included. It is proposed to undertake a fundamental review of the free schemes, commencing in early 1999, to assess whether the objectives of these schemes are being achieved in the most efficient and effective manner and the Deputy's proposal will be examined as part of this review process.

Seán Haughey

Question:

358 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will ensure that the same rate of increase is given in the forthcoming budget to dependants of old age contributory and non-contributory pensioners as that given to the main claimant, particularly husbands and wives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23785/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The 1998 budget provided for a special increase of £5 per week in the maximum personal rates of payment for some 270,000 pensioners aged 66 and over, with pro rata increases for a further 54,000 pensioners on reduced rate contributory pensions. These increases marked a considerable first step in meeting the commitment in the Government's action programme to increase the old age contributory pension to £100 per week by the year 2002. In addition, qualified adult allowances were increased by 3 per cent in general giving actual increases of between £1.20 and £1.50.

The question of future increases in social welfare payments, including the level of increases for old age pensioners and qualified adults, is a matter for consideration by the Government in a budgetary context in the light of available resources and having regard to the commitments contained in the Government programme An Action Programme for the Millennium, Partnership 2000 and the National Anti-Poverty Strategy.