Vol. 517 No. 3
241 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to provide free hearing aids for those who do not qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9809/00]
The treatment benefits scheme administered by my Department provides assistance towards the cost of dental, optical and audiology services for people, and their dependent spouses, who satisfy the relevant statutory PRSI conditions. In the case of hearing aids, my Department pays half the cost subject to a maximum of £250 per hearing aid. In 1999, 3,003 insured persons and 923 dependent spouses benefited under the scheme at a cost of some £1.1 million. Any change in these arrangements could have significant cost implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.
242 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason persons who commence disability benefit receive no payment for the first three days; the plans, if any, he has to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9857/00]
Waiting days have been a feature of the disability benefit scheme since its inception and are a feature of similar social security schemes in many countries. The principal reason for the application of a three waiting day period is to avoid the disproportionately high administrative costs which would be involved in processing disability benefit claims of very short duration. As many employers have occupational sick pay arrangements which provide compensation for employees for short spells of incapacity, the waiting day rule also serves to reduce the overlap between State and occupational sick pay provision. In addition, it can reasonably be expected that most workers would be able to absorb the loss of the first three days earnings without suffering undue hardship. However, where a person has a subsequent spell of incapacity in quick succession, then the three waiting day rule is waived.
243 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of people receiving small farm unemployment on 31 March 1999; the average being paid per family; the number receiving the new farm assist allowance on 31 March 2000; the average being paid per family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9975/00]
The farm assist scheme, which introduced the special arrangements for farmers on low incomes, was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1999, and came into operation with effect from 7 April 1999.
The number of claimants in receipt of smallholder's unemployment assistance on 31 March 1999 was 6,494. The average payment on that date is not available, but on 31 December 1998 it was £74.60 per week. This figure is unlikely to have changed significantly in the period January to March 1999.
On 31 March 2000 there were 7,568 farm assist claims in payment, receiving on average £75.85 per week. The average payment to 431 claimants still in receipt of smallholder's unemployment assistance is £75.43. Former smallholders, who are now in receipt of farm assist, are receiving on average £83.82 per week, an increase of £9 per week compared with smallholder's unemployment assistance at the end of 1998. New applicants for farm assist are receiving an average payment of £59 per week.
The Social Welfare Act, 2000, makes a number of important changes to the means test for the farm assist scheme. The child related disregards are being increased from £100 for the first two children and £200 for each subsequent qualified child to £200 and £300 respectively. Furthermore, instead of 80%, only 70% of self-employment income, including off-farm self-employment, will be taken into account. There will also be changes in the way capital is assessed, with the first £10,000 held by a claimant disregarded, and the balance treated more favourably than heretofore. These changes will be effective from October 2000.
