Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Paul Connaughton
Question:
321
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the reason the free fuel allowance has not been increased to keep pace with inflation; if his attention has been drawn to the huge price hike in gas, briquettes and coal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25703/00]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are on long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5 per week – £8 per week in smokeless zones – is made to eligible households for 26 weeks from mid-October to mid-April.
The fuel schemes were reviewed in 1998 as part of my Department's series of programme evaluations. The group concluded that the present rates of payment should remain unchanged if improvements in primary payment rates fully compensated recipients for all price inflation, including fuel price inflation. Increasing primary payments gives people greater flexibility in meeting their needs and, of course, the increased rates are payable for all 52 weeks of the year.
In that regard, substantial increases were made in all the social welfare primary payments of either £4 or £7 which came into effect at the beginning of May 2000, a month earlier than last year.
In addition, the qualified adult allowance was increased by amounts ranging from £3.80 for people on disability benefit, £4.70 for old age contributory and retirement pensioners and £8.50 for invalidity pensioners where the qualified adult is aged 66 years or over.
I am concerned about the extent to which general price inflation, including fuel price inflation, is impacting on the significant improvements in social welfare payments which I have made. I cannot give specific details of the measures that will be contained in this year's budget but improving the overall position of social welfare recipients will receive a very high priority in that budget.
In the meantime, I would point out that fuel allowances are not the sole mechanism through which assistance is provided for people with heating needs. There is a facility available through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs. An application for a heating supplement may be made by contacting the community welfare officer at the local health centre.
Where a person would not normally qualify for a heating supplement there is provision under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to pay an exceptional needs payment. Exceptional needs payments are payable at the discretion of the health board taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
Question No. 322 taken with Question No. 312
Ivan Yates
Question:
323
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
if he will clarify the situation in relation to EU reciprocal entitlements for Irish social welfare recipients who move for some part of the year to Italy; whether such persons can continue to receive disability benefit or an invalidity pension while there; if so, the circumstances of entitlement to these and other fringe benefits; and the way in which one can obtain information on localised benefits there.
[25721/00]
Social security schemes in countries belonging to the European Union – EU – or the European economic area – EEA – are co-ordinated by Council Regulations (EEC) 1408/71 and 574/72.
The aim of the regulations is to protect the acquired social security rights of employed and self-employed persons and their families moving within the EU and the EEA.
A fundamental principle of the regulations is the export of benefits. The regulations provide that invalidity pension, old age contributory pension, widow's and widower's contributory pension and pensions for accidents at work and occupational diseases which have been acquired under the legislation of a member state must be paid to the person concerned even if he or she resides in another member state and cannot be subject to any reduction, withdrawal, modification or suspension. Liability to export other benefits, for example, disability benefit, is more limited.
A person who has become entitled to disability benefit may be authorised by the Department to return to the territory of the EEA member state in which he or she is habitually resident or to transfer his or her habitual residence to another member state of the EEA. The authorisation referred to may be refused only if it is established that the movement of the person concerned would be prejudicial to his state of health or the receipt of medical treatment.
A person staying in another EEA member state for the purpose of receiving medical treatment which has been authorised in advance of departure by the Department of Health and Children or the health board may also continue to receive disability benefit.
A person may be paid disability benefit for up to four weeks while on holiday in an EU or EEA member state.
Non-statutory schemes such as free electricity allowance, free natural gas allowance, free bottled gas allowance, free telephone rental allowance and the free television licence are payable to persons in receipt of invalidity pension who are permanently resident in the State. As these benefits apply to services provided within this State and as there are no co-ordinating arrangements under the EU regulations for their provision in other member states, the benefits cannot be provided outside of Ireland. A person who was eligible for these benefits before his departure will resume entitlement on their return to Ireland provided they continue to satisfy the conditions for entitlement.
With regard to obtaining information on localised benefits in Italy, the INPS – Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale – Divizione Generale, Servizio Rapporti e Convenzioni Internazationali, Via della Frezza 17, 1-00100 Roma will be able to assist with information regarding localised benefits.
I am also arranging for a copy of the EU information booklet, Your social security rights when moving within the EU to be sent to the Deputy.
