Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1999

Vol. 507 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Noel Ahern

Question:

193 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will reintroduce pay related benefit for disability benefit claims in cases where the applicant has a long clean record of paid contributions over many years; if his attention has been drawn to the hurt felt by those who are occasionally sick and are disappointed with disability benefit payments after years of contributions; and if he will reconsider the situation [17142/99]

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

The payment of pay-related benefit, PRB, in addition to disability benefit was phased out with effect from April 1992 as part of the policy of directing available resources towards those most in need by increasing the basic rate of payment, rather than through pay-related supplements. This policy is broadly in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Social Welfare.

As a result of the adoption of this policy, the basic rate of disability benefit has been signifi cantly increased since the phasing out of PRB. While the cost of living index has risen by 15.7 per cent in this period, the rate of disability benefit has increased by 47 per cent, i.e. three times the rate of inflation. In addition, the rate of disability benefit has increased by substantially more than average industrial earnings, which have increased by 30 per cent in the period up to December 1998, latest figures available.

It should also be noted that the improvements in the basic rate of disability benefit are of benefit to all recipients. This contrasts with the payment of PRB, which was only paid in the case of a minority of recipients, in the region of 20 per cent.

In the circumstances, I am satisfied that this widely supported policy approach, continues to be the most appropriate one for this scheme.

Noel Ahern

Question:

194 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9, who had the fuel allowance for 15 years, had it withdrawn when she became an old age pensioner; and if her continued entitlement is not secure under the conditions which were set in place when those in the Dublin fuel scheme joined the national scheme at its inception. [17143/99]

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

When the fuel schemes were rationalised in 1988 persons in receipt of a fuel allowance under the urban fuel scheme were allowed to retain their entitlement provided they continued to satisfy the conditions for the urban fuel scheme.

The person concerned qualified for a fuel allowance as a recipient of widow's contributory pension under the former urban fuel scheme. She continued to receive a fuel allowance while payment of her widow's contributory pension continued.

She qualified for an old age contributory pension with effect from 6 February 1998 and as a result she ceased to satisfy the conditions for the automatic payment of fuel allowance.

The national fuel scheme provides for payment of fuel allowance where there is household income of up to £15 per week or savings or investments of up to £8,000 in addition to the maximum rate of the appropriate Irish contributory pension. The person concerned is not qualified for fuel allowance while in receipt of old age contributory pension as she has income from an occupational pension which is in excess of £15 a week. She was advised of the reason for the withdrawal of fuel allowance.