Vol. 500 No. 7
342 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has had his rent allowance reduced from £44 to £18.10 per week; and if the situation brought about by the decision of the Southern Health Board will be reviewed. [5201/99]
Rent supplements are normally calculated to ensure that the person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the weekly supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) rate appropriate to their household's circumstances, less £6. This £6 represents the minimum contribution which recipients are required to pay from their own resources.
In addition to the minimum contribution, recipients are required to contribute any assessable means in excess of the appropriate SWA rate. The current SWA rate for a couple is £109.60 per week. Any increase in income over and above that rate will result in a decrease of that amount in the rent supplement rate payable.
When the couple in question were in receipt of invalidity pension, personal rate plus qualified adult, at £129.50 per week, the contribution they were required to pay towards their rent was £25.90 per week in total, leaving them with £103.60 per week to meet their other needs.
As the rent supplement recipient and his spouse are now in receipt of invalidity and old age non-contributory pension at current weekly rates of £83.00 and £72.50 respectively, their total income is now £155.50 weekly, an increase of £26 per week. As the appropirate rate of SWA for a couple is £109.60 weekly, their personal contribution towards their rent has increased by £26 to £51.90 weekly, £45.90 excess plus £6 minimum contribution.
The couple concerned have appealed the decision to the appeals officer in the Southern Health Board. The decision was upheld by the appeals officer and the couple were informed of this decision on the 21 December 1998.
343 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has been refused the six weeks continuing payment to which she would have been entitled had her late husband been in receipt of unemployment assistance in view of the undertaking that no loss of entitlements will arise from participation in a community employment scheme; the steps, if any, he will take to redress this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5204/99]
The late husband of the person concerned was participating in a community employment programme when he died. This programme is organised and managed by FÁS and my Department has no direct function in the matter. My Department has been in touch with FÁS about this case and I understand that arrangements are now being made to pay six weeks continued payment to the person concerned.
