Deirdre Clune
Question:185 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the provision he will make for widows, particularly young widows under 60 years, in a budgetary context. [30041/00]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The widow(er)'s pension schemes, which are not age related are designed to recognise the particular difficulties that arise following the death of a spouse.
In Budget 2001, I announced a standard increase of £8 per week to the personal rates of various social welfare payments. This increase applies to those aged under 66 in receipt of widow(er)'s contributory pension, widow(er)'s non-contributory pension and one-parent family payment. With effect from April 2001 a widow/er under 66 years of age, receiving a widow(er)'s contributory pension, will see his or her payment rise to £89.10 per week while those on means tested payments such as the widow(er)'s non-contributory pension and the one-parent family payment will receive £85.50 per week. Widow/ers with children will also benefit from the increases in child benefit announced in the budget. From June 2001, the monthly rate of child benefit will rise to £67.50 per month for first and second children and £86 per month for third and subsequent children.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the extent to which applicants who apply for an alternative social welfare payment are informed of their right to receive the higher payment in the event of qualification under two headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30056/00]
A person's entitlement to a social welfare payment is determined on the basis of his or her application under a particular scheme. If it emerges from the details supplied during the course of investigations in relation to the application that he or she would be better off under another scheme, information to this effect is provided and the person is advised to opt for the more favourable payment. When more than one payment is claimed, the higher payment is made as a matter of routine. Information on the extent to which this happens in practice is not maintained.
My Department places considerable emphasis on providing information on social welfare entitlements so as to ensure that people receive their full entitlements.
Information is available from any of my Department's local offices throughout the country as well as from the nation-wide network of citizen information centres and other outlets.
Comhairle, a new body established by me and launched in June 2000 is responsible for providing a fully comprehensive and integrated information dissemination and advocacy service for all citizens.
My Department has, over the past year, issued detailed customised newsletters to 300,000 pensioners, over 100,000 recipients of disability allowance and invalidity pension, over 70,000 lone parents and over 16,000 recipients of carers allowance to inform them of their possible entitlements, including any ancillary benefits for which they might qualify.
In the development of the Department's computer systems to support the business into the future, it is intended to take this process a step further by providing information on potential entitlements to people in advance, for example people approaching pension age whose record of contributions would qualify them for pension. It is my intention in this regard that people are given every facility and encouragement to ensure that they avail of their full entitlements.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the extent to which he has issued new guidelines in respect of qualification for various social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30057/00]
Guidelines relating to entitlement under each of my Department's schemes are available to all staff including deciding officers and investigators. On the introduction of a new scheme detailed guidelines on the qualifying conditions, investigation and decision pro cedure etc. are issued by management to all staff who will be involved in the processing of claims. The contents of the guidelines are kept under continuous review and updated on an ongoing basis in the light of new or amended provisions of my Department's schemes and services. The guidelines are available to staff in written form or by access to the computer system.The guidelines are also published on the internet in the Department's website www.dscfa.ie.