Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Ivor Callely

Question:

85 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on whether the supplementary welfare officers should favourably assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs due to ill health or infirmity and need central heating installed; his further views on whether a generous financial contribution from the community welfare officers towards the costs of the installation should be given in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14409/99]

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

There are two social welfare schemes which may assist low income households with heating costs, the national fuel scheme and the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Both schemes are income maintenance measures and are not intended to address the particular difficulties faced by those in fuel inefficient dwellings or those experiencing fuel poverty in general. There is no grant scheme operated by my Department for the installation of central heating.

The NFS assists householders who are on long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. The SWA scheme may assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs. A person who has exceptional heating costs due to ill health or infirmity may qualify for a heating supplement. This can be paid as a weekly supplement in addition to other social welfare payments.

In addition, under the SWA scheme, a health board may make a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. These exceptional needs payments may be made to assist with minor household repairs. There is no automatic or statutory right or entitlement to these payments. They are payable at the discretion of the health board taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. This would include not only the applicant's financial circumstances but also the social, personal and medical needs of the applicant and any adult or child dependants.

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards and my Department has no function in deciding entitlement in individual cases.

An application for a heating supplement or an ENP may be made by contacting the community welfare officer at the local health centre.

Ivor Callely

Question:

86 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the conditions for provision of supplementary welfare payments will be reviewed in order that only those legally entitled to be in the State should avail of these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14410/99]

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

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the health boards on behalf of my Department. It provides entitlement to any persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs.

The question of whether any person has a legitimate right and entitlement to reside in Ireland is a matter for the immigration authorities and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This issue does not arise in connection with claims for supplementary welfare allowance.

There is no provision for restricting payments on the basis of nationality, normal residence or the legality of the person's presence in the State. The purpose of the SWA scheme is to provide a basic weekly allowance to people who have little or no income and it is not intended to change the underlying provisions relating to entitlement under this scheme.