Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

72 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason community employment participants who are invalidity benefit recipients do not retain their fuel allowance in view of the fact all these participants should retain their secondary benefits for the length of time their total gross household income is below £250 per week; and the position with regard to invalidity pensioners on community employment and their full secondary benefits. [23620/99]

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

The national fuel scheme applies to persons in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. To be eligible, a person must be living alone or with persons who come within certain categories and must also satisfy a means test. The means condition currently applied is that any additional household income, over the relevant maximum pension rate, must not exceed £30 per week.

Invalidity pension recipients may, subject to certain conditions, take up rehabilitative work or training. Where this takes the form of participation on a community employment scheme, they receive the basic weekly community employment rate of payment of £92.75 in addition to their invalidity pension entitlement. They also retain entitlement to free telephone rental allowance, free electricity allowance, free television licence and free travel. Where necessary, unrestricted travel passes are issued to enable invalidity pension recipients to travel to their place of employment.

The position with regard to the fuel allowance is that the £30 limit on additional income over the basic pension is applied to all income including the community employment payment. In this way pensioners taking up community employment are treated similarly to pensioners who take up any other form of employment. The provisions regard to pensioners taking up rehabilitation employment are, however, being reviewed at present and the provisions in relation to the retention of secondary benefits will be reviewed in that context.

Billy Timmins

Question:

73 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of families availing of the family income supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23666/99]

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

The number of families in receipt of family income supplement at the end of September was 14,108. This was payable in respect of 34,828 children.

To enhance the value of this scheme and in accordance with a commitment given in the Partnership 2000 agreement, I gave priority attention to reforming the scheme on coming into office. This included raising the relevant income thresholds and making provision for the assessment of income for FIS purposes on a net income basis.

This change, which was introduced in October 1998, has already had a very positive effect on the number of families qualifying for this supplement. The number of recipients has increased by about 1,000 during the period from January to the end of September this year. It is expected that the numbers in payment will continue to increase in the short to medium term.