Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Liz McManus
Question:
47
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the steps he is taking to address the concerns expressed by community welfare officers regarding the new arrangements for supplementary welfare support for asylum seekers; if, in particular, his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the trade union official representing community welfare officers that they are being asked to operate the social welfare allowance scheme in a discriminatory way; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15017/00]
Dick Spring
Question:
66
Mr. Spring
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the terms of reference and the membership of the working group examining certain issues related to the assessment of need for social welfare allowance purposes; when the group is expected to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15016/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 66 together.
The Government decided to disperse asylum seekers throughout the country due to a shortage of accommodation in the Dublin area and to introduce a system of direct provision to cater for their needs. This decision is being implemented by the directorate for asylum support services which was established under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to manage services for asylum seekers.
The main objective of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is to make up the difference between a person's means whether in cash or in kind and their needs. Where a person has access to some resources either in cash or in kind this is taken into account in determining entitlement to SWA. This occurs in the case of asylum seekers in direct provision who are being provided with full board accommodation, all meals and other essential services. In such cases the recommended weekly allowance is £15 per adult and £7.50 per child to provide for personal requisites. Furthermore, where there are other reasonable expenses exceptional needs payments, ENPs, will be made by the health boards.
My Department received a representation dated 11 February 2000 from SIPTU who represent some of the community welfare officers of the health boards highlighting their concerns regarding the plan to set up the directorate to deal with asylum seekers under the programme of direct provision. Officials from my Department also met SIPTU and Impact representatives on 16 February 2000 to discuss the issues raised in SIPTU's letter. The points outlined above were included in my Department's response to SIPTU's representation and discussed with the unions representatives.
In addition, I am setting up a working group comprising representatives from relevant Departments to examine certain issues related to the assessment of need for SWA purposes. The terms of reference of the working group are to review the existing arrangements for the payment of basic weekly supplementary welfare allowance to people who have means other than cash to partly meet their basic needs; to review the circumstances in which people claiming SWA rent supplement are refused on the grounds that they are not in need of accommodation; and to consult with interested parties and to make appropriate recommendations.
Membership of the working group will consist of nominees of the health boards, the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Department of the Environment and Local Government, in addition to representatives of my Department, which will chair the group.
It is expected that the first meeting of the working group will be in early June and I have asked the group to report to me in September.
