Vol. 503 No. 6
36 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, in place in his Department to transfer to local authorities the administration of rent allowance and mortgage interest supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10331/99]
187 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the pro gress, if any, of the interdepartmental working group which is reviewing the operation of the rent subsidy scheme provided by the health boards. [10793/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 187 together.
An interdepartmental committee, representing the Departments of the Environment and Local Government, Social, Community and Family Affairs, Health and Children and Finance, is examining the issues which arise in relation to the transfer of the administration of the supplementary welfare allowance rent and mortgage supplementation scheme from the health boards to local authorities. The work of the interdepartmental committee is well advanced. Considerable progress has been made in addressing the major issues involved and I hope to receive the committee's report shortly.
The transfer of SWA housing supplementation to local authorities gives rise to a number of important issues with wide ranging implications for recipients under the scheme, local authorities and other agencies concerned. These will require careful consideration by Government in the light of the committee's report.
