Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

294 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to extend the tapered qualified adult allowance to invalidity pension in view of the hardship this discrimination causes for some recipients of invalidity pension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26549/98]

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

I introduced regulations with effect from 27 November 1997 which allow for the tapered withdrawal of the qualified adult allowance for people getting unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance, disability benefit, disability allowance, pre-retirement allowance, injury benefit and unemployability supplement whose spouse is earning between £60 and £90 per week.

In my budget statement last week, I announced that the income range over which these arrangements apply will be extended to spouses' incomes of up to £105, with effect from October 1999.

I will continue to seek to improve these arrangements as resources permit. The question of extending the arrangements to include other schemes, including invalidity pension, will be considered in that context.