Conor Lenihan
Question:214 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the progress, if any, made to reform the operation of the rent subsidy scheme. [10794/99]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
I understand that the Deputy's question refers to rent supplements paid under the supplementary welfare allowance – SWA – scheme. Under that scheme, a weekly supplement may be paid in respect of rent to eligible people in receipt of social welfare or health board payments.
An inter-departmental committee, under the aegis of the Department of the Environment and Local Government, is currently examining the implications of transferring the administration of SWA housing supplements to the local authorities. The work of the committee is well advanced and I understand that its report is expected to be finalised in the next few weeks.
Discussions are also taking place at present with the social partners in relation to the commitment in Partnership 2000 to consider a tapering arrangement to alleviate unemployment traps which affect some rent supplement recipients.
Any further development of the rent supplement scheme will be considered in the light of the findings of that report, taking into account the discussions being held with the social partners.
Michael Ring
Question:215 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have her entitlement to a carer's allowance reassessed; and his Department's meaning when it states a person is not regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a pensioner. [10691/99]
The carer's allowance is a means-tested social assistance payment for carers who live with and look after certain people who need full-time care and attention. To qualify for the allowance a carer must be living with and providing continual supervision to the person being cared for and must not be otherwise employed to any significant extent.
The person concerned, who is a farmer, applied for a carer's allowance in February 1999. His wife is currently receiving a qualified adult allowance in respect of him as part of her disability benefit entitlements.
Following investigation, it was decided that, based on the scale of his farm enterprise, he could not be providing full-time care and attention to the pensioner concerned and, accordingly, his claim was refused. He has been notified of this decision and of his right to appeal to the social welfare appeals office.
Michael Ring
Question:216 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason officials declared a person (details supplied) in County Mayo capable of work and disallowed payment of her disability benefit when she has clearly stated that she suffers from a prolapsed disc and is badly affected by it; and the reason she is being treated in this fashion by Department officials in view of the fact she is waiting since October 1997 for a scan and is unable to work. [10784/99]
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 22 July 1997 to 12 April 1999. She was examined by a medical assessor of the Department on 30 March 1999 in line with normal review procedures. In carrying out an examination the medical assessor reviews the history of the case, considers any fresh medical reports received, and following a clinical examination expresses an opinion as to the person's fitness for work.
The medical assessor who examined the person concerned on 30 March 1999 expressed the opinion that while she may not be capable of her own work, factory assembly work, she would be capable of light work.
A deciding officer therefore disallowed her payment from 13 April 1999 on the grounds that she was not incapable of work within the meaning of the social welfare legislation.
The person concerned appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office on 19 April 1999 and in the context of her appeal she will be examined by another medical assessor. She will be notified when this examination is arranged.
Ivor Callely
Question:217 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the cost to his Department for accommodation for asylum seekers under the supplementary welfare scheme in the first quarter of 1999; the breakdown of the cost of supplementary welfare payments for accommodation for each of the years 1993 to 1998; the proportion of these costs for accommodation for illegal immigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10803/99]
The supplementary welfare allowance – SWA – scheme provides entitlement to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The scheme is administered by the health boards on behalf of my Department. Payment may continue in accordance with the relevant legislation as long as the person is resident in the State. Payments to asylum seekers are made on the same basis as payments to other recipients.
The cost of accommodation under the SWA scheme for asylum seekers in the first quarter of 1999 is not available.
The total expenditure on rent supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in each of the years from 1993 to 1998 is set out in the following tabular statement. The proportion of this expenditure attributable to the cost of accommodation for people who may have been found to be illegal immigrants is not available.
|
Year |
Rent Supplement |
|
£m |
|
|
1993 |
38.70 |
|
1994 |
44.80 |
|
1995 |
53.00 |
|
1996 |
62.60 |
|
1997 |
75.30 |
|
1998 |
87.90 |