Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Richard Bruton

Question:

119 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the considerations, if any, he will give to changing the rules for companion passes in order that persons on invalidity pension and disability allowance will be treated in a similar manner; and if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will receive a companion pass on grounds of debilitating medical conditions. [14155/99]

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

The free travel companion pass, which is available to certain people who are medically assessed as unfit to travel alone, enables a person 16 years of age, or over, to accompany the pass holder free of charge.

In general, a companion free travel pass is only available to persons aged over 66 if they held a pass when they were under 66. Other eligible categories include people who are blind, confined to wheelchairs, those who are 75 years and over who are certified as unfit to travel alone and people who are being cared for by a carer who is in receipt of a carer's allowance. Recipients of invalidity pensions must satisfy one of the conditions outlined above in order to qualify for a companion pass.

The companion pass is also available to recipients of a disability allowance (formerly disabled persons maintenance allowance) who are certified as unfit to travel alone. This facility is available to this category since 1990 on the basis that this group of people were unlikely to be in a position to pay a companion to accompany them.

The person concerned, who is 66 years of age, is in receipt of a retirement pension from the Department and did not have a companion free travel pass when he was under 66. He is not wheelchair bound and consequently he is not eli gible, under the existing rules for a companion pass.

The free schemes were originally designed to benefit mainly older people in receipt of a social welfare type payment who were living alone and required additional assistance. However, over the years, additional categories of people have been included. A fundamental review of the free schemes, including the companion free travel pass scheme, has commenced to assess whether the objectives of these schemes are being achieved in the most effective and efficient manner and the qualifying conditions for the scheme will be examined as part of the review process.

Richard Bruton

Question:

120 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the benefit withdrawal rate for deserted wives who earn more than £10,000 is very prohibitive (details supplied); and the consideration, if any, he will give to changing this situation. [14167/99]

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

The deserted wife's benefit (DWB) was replaced in January 1997 by the one-parent family payment. No new applications for the DWB scheme were accepted after that date though it remains available to those who were in receipt of the benefit on 1 January 1997 and will remain payable to them for the duration of their continuous entitlement. At the end of April 1999 there were 13,664 cases still in payment.

Earnings are dealt with in two ways under the DWB scheme. There is no income limit for persons who claimed the benefit on or before 31 August 1992. Claims made after that date are subject to income limits.

At present a recipient will receive full benefit where earnings are less than £10,000 per annum. A reduced rate is payable where earnings are between £10,000 and £14,000 per annum. The income disregards which apply to DWB are much more favorable than those which apply to the one-parent family payment.

The benefit is not withdrawn on a pound for pound basis, instead a percentage of a recipients personal rate is payable at different income ranges as follows:

Income Range	% of personal rate payable
£
10,000 – 11,000	80%
11,000 – 12,000	60%
12,000 – 13,000	40%
13,000 – 14,000	20%

Any proposals to make adjustments to the income which may be earned by a recipient of DWB could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

121 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who suffers from a serious illness qualifies for disability or other benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14198/99]

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

The person concerned was awarded disability benefit from 11 September 1997. Payment has been made to the date of her latest medical certificate at the weekly rate of £83.70 comprising maximum personal rate for herself and half rate increases for two dependant children.

Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to persons who satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions and are regarded as permanently incapable of work. While the person concerned satisfies the contribution conditions, her suitability on medical grounds has to be determined.

A claim form has been issued to the person concerned for completion. Arrangements will be made to have her examined by a medical assessor of my Department when the claim form is returned.

The person's entitlement to invalidity pension will be considered in the light of the medical assessor's report.