Paul McGrath
Question:111 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the amount paid by his Department through health boards by way of rent allowance in each of the past five years. [11334/00]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The total expenditure on rent supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme for the past five years was as follows:
|
Year |
Rent Supplement |
|
£m |
|
|
1995 |
54.70 |
|
1996 |
62.60 |
|
1997 |
75.30 |
|
1998 |
88.00 |
|
1999 (Provisional Outturn) |
101.00 |
A sum of £113.4 million has been provided in the current year's Estimates for rent supplement.
Noel Ahern
Question:112 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if, in payments made to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin, the occupational injury element is constant or subject to annual increase or reduction; the reason increases were given to her and she has only been awarded a £4 increase from May 2000 rather than £7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11340/00]
The Government is committed in its action programme to providing for substantial social welfare increases. Specifically, the recent review of an Action Programme for the Millennium has set as a priority the attainment of a minimum rate of £100 a week for all social welfare old age pensioners by 2002, and increasing these pensions in line with increases in average industrial earnings.
Last December's budget made further progress towards achieving the £100 target rate for old age pensioners. For instance, from the beginning of May this year, the old age contributory pension will be increased to £96 a week, while the old age non-contributory pension will increase to £85.50 a week.
The person in question, who is over 66 years of age, is in receipt of a widow's pension under the occupational injuries benefit scheme. This particular payment is paid at a higher rate than other social welfare payments. In the circumstances, therefore, special additional increases over and above the general social welfare increases are not required in order to achieve the Government's £100 target rate.
Following the implementation of the budget increases from the beginning of May, her basic weekly rate of payment will increase to £99.40. This is £10.30 a week higher than the equivalent social insurance widow's pension which is paid in normal circumstances. The person in question also qualifies for the £6 weekly living alone allowance. In addition, she receives an additional £8 fuel allowance during the fuel season, from mid-October to April.
As part of the Government's expenditure review process, my Department is currently undertaking a review of the various income maintenance schemes for people who are ill and people with disabilities, including the occupational injuries benefit scheme. One of the particular issues which is being addressed in this review is the question of differences in treatment of people depending on the nature of the illness or accident. The findings of this review will guide future policy in this regard, and I look forward to receiving the results in due course.