Michael Ring
Question:176 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for and paid a free fuel allowance. [27970/98]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The national fuel scheme is available to assist householders who are depending on long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs during the winter season. Applications for fuel allowance were received from the person concerned in November 1996 and again in November 1998.
The first application was refused as he is entitled, under the provisions of a deed of transfer made in June 1996, to support and maintenance from the transferee during his lifetime. In the normal course, heating needs are met under these arrangements and a fuel allowance is not payable.
Following his recent re-application for an allowance, a local officer of the Department will visit the person concerned to assess whether his heating needs continue to be in accordance with the terms of the deed of transfer. He will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
Noel Ahern
Question:177 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the position in relation to the operation of the back to work scheme; the position in relation to a person receiving occasional work; if a person can opt in and out of the scheme; if a person can rejoin the scheme; and the way in which a person is treated who has completed the scheme and is unemployed. [28088/98]
The objective of the back to work allowance scheme is to provide a financial incentive to long-term unemployed people, who could not otherwise do so, to return to work. To qualify for the allowance, a person must take up a job, which, inter alia, is for a minimum of 20 hours a week and is likely to become a lasting job. Occasional, temporary or casual work does not qualify for the scheme, nor does work of a contractual or commission nature.
If for any reason a person loses his-her job, payment of the allowance is suspended but can be restored if he or she obtains further employment which satisfies the criteria.
A person who is unemployed after completing a period on the allowance can qualify for unemployment payments provided the conditions for the receipt of these payments are satisfied.