Vol. 506 No. 2
316 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on whether the allowances for twins should be double the standard allowance per child as is the case for triplets and quadruplets in view of the submissions made by the Irish Multiple Birth Association; and the proposals, if any, he has to rectify this in the next budget. [15189/99]
317 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to increase the children's allowance for twins and to bring it into line with the allowances available for triplets and quadruplets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15421/99]
319 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the consideration, if any, he will give to requests to bring the allowance given to twins in line with that given for triplets and quadruplets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15624/99]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 316, 317 and 319 together.
The background to the issue of child benefit entitlements and multiple births is as follows. Prior to the introduction of the Social Welfare Act, 1998, CB was payable at double the normal rate for each child where three or more children were born together. In the case of twins, CB was paid at the normal rate but a grant of £500 was payable at the birth of twins and further grants of £500 were payable when the twins reached the ages of 4 and 12.
In fulfilment of pre-election commitments, I introduced two key additional measures in the Social Welfare Act, 1998. First, the rate of CB payable in respect of twins was increased to 150 per cent of the normal CB rate. Second, the £500 grants, which previously were confined to families with twins, were extended to include also families with multiple births of three or more children. These measures took effect in September 1998 at a full-year cost of some £4.8 million.
The 1999 budget provides for an additional investment in the child benefit scheme of over £40 million bringing expenditure on the scheme to £475 million in a full year. From September 1999 the basic rates of child benefit will be increased by £3 in respect of the first two children and £4 in respect of subsequent children, bringing the rates up to £34.50 and £46.00 per month respectively. These improvements will benefit all families with children, including families with twins.
The question of providing for any further enhancement of the arrangements for twins under the CB scheme is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context, in the light of the resources available and of other competing priorities.
318 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the mortgage supplement will be reinstated for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15443/99]
Supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest payments to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs.
The purpose of the mortgage interest supplement is to assist eligible persons who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. The scheme operates on the basis that the person shall be entitled to a supplement towards the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only.
Entitlement to a supplement is determined by the health boards and supplements are normally calculated to ensure that the person, after payment of rent or mortgage interest, has an income equal to the rate of SWA appropriate to the family circumstances, less £6. This £6 represents the minimum contribution which clients are required to pay from their own resources. In addition to the minimum contribution, applicants are required to contribute any assessable means which they have in excess of the appropriate SWA rate. In effect, this means that all of the difference between the relevant SWA rate and the means which a person has goes towards payment of their mortgage, thereby reducing the amount of mortgage interest supplement rate payable.
The local health centre was contacted and advised that the couple concerned had been in receipt of mortgage interest supplement from June 1997 until May 1999 at which time one of the couple took up part time employment. Following re-assessment of their means the mortgage interest supplement is no longer payable as the family income now exceeds the SWA rate for a family of that size by more than the interest portion of the mortgage.
It is open to the couple in question to appeal this decision by writing to the appeals officer, North Western Health Board, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim.
