Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Bell

Question:

88 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to increase the present adult dependency allowance from the present £60 per week where the spouse is working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14639/99]

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

Regulations were introduced in November 1997 to provide for the tapered withdrawal of the qualified adult allowance for people claiming unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance, disability benefit, disability allowance, pre-retirement allowance, injury benefit and unemployability supplement.

Prior to the introduction of those regulations, the qualified adult allowance was withdrawn completely once the income of the spouse or partner of the social welfare claimant exceeded £60 per week. Under the new arrangements, however, where the spouse or partner is earning between £60 and £90, a reduced rate qualified adult allowance continues to be payable. In the 1999 budget, provision has been made to extend the upper limit of the income range from £90 to £105, in order to further enhance the incentive for people to avail of employment opportunities.

The effect of these revised arrangements, which will come into effect in October of this year, is shown in the following table:

	Tapered QAA Rate
Spouse's Earnings	from October, 1999
Less than or equal to £60	£43.20
£60 to £65	£38.70
£65 to £70	£34.20
£70 to £75	£29.70
£75 to £80	£25.20
£80 to £85	£20.70
£85 to £90	£16.20
£90 to £95	£11.70
£95 to £100	£7.20
£100 to £105	£2.70
Exceed £105	Nil

Bernard Allen

Question:

89 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in Cork is only receiving £2 per week diet allowance. [14642/99]

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

Recipients of social welfare or health board payments who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

Entitlement to a diet supplement is determined by the health boards in accordance with the legislative provisions which specify the medical conditions in respect of which a diet supplement may be paid and the means test which must be applied. The amount of supplement payable varies depending on which category of diet has been prescribed by the applicant's medical adviser, the age of the person and on the income of the individual and his or her dependants.

Diet supplements are paid subject to a means test and applicants are required to contribute any excess assessable means towards their food costs.

In this particular case, the Southern Health Board has confirmed that the amount of diet supplement in payment to the person concerned is correct in accordance with the means assessed. However, it will contact the person again and explain more fully the means test applied and advise the individual of his right of appeal.