Michael Ring
Question:291 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and paid carer's allowance. [14635/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
The person concerned was awarded carer's allowance in June 1997. In November 1999, following a review of her entitlement, her payment was disallowed as her weekly means exceeded the statutory limit. This decision was upheld by an appeals officer. The case was referred again to an investigative officer of my Department in February 2001 to establish whether the conditions for receipt of carer's allowance were fulfilled. The person concerned has, however, advised that she no longer wishes to proceed with her claim for carer's allowance. Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:292 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when arrears of a one parent family allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare on the birth of her third child on 24 November 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14689/01]
A claim for an additional allowance in respect of the child in question was received in the pension services office of my Department on 2 May 2001. The application has been forwarded to the local inspector for investigation. As soon as the necessary inquiries are completed, an early decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay. Under social welfare legislation decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Brian O'Shea
Question:293 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the assistance he can give to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford regarding increased mortgage subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14690/01]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by health boards. Neither I nor my Department has any function in deciding entitlement in individual cases. Under the terms of the SWA scheme, payment of a weekly or monthly supplement may be made in respect of rent or mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet his or her needs.
The purpose of the mortgage interest supplement scheme is to assist eligible persons who are unable to meet their mortgage repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. Entitlement to a mortgage interest supplement is determined by health boards and supplements are normally calculated to ensure the person has an income equal to the rate of SWA appropriate to the family circumstances, less £6. This £6 represents the minimum contribution which applicants are required to pay from their own resources. Most recipients pay more than £6 towards their mortgage because applicants are required to contribute any additional assessable means that they have over and above the appropriate basic SWA rate towards their mortgage repayments.
The scheme operates on the basis that the person shall be entitled to a supplement towards the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only. The principle is not, and never was, taken into account in the calculation of the mortgage interest supplement because it is not considered appropriate that the Exchequer should repay part of the initial loan and thereby provide assistance towards the accumulation of a capital asset on the part of the individual concerned.
The South-Eastern Health Board has been contacted on behalf of the person concerned and has advised that she is in receipt of the maximum amount of mortgage interest supplement payable to a person in her circumstances. Details of the calculation of her mortgage interest supplement are as shown in the following tabular statement.
|
£ |
|
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
100.70 per week |
|
+ Maintenance |
40.00 per week |
|
Total income |
140.70 per week |
|
Total income |
140.70 per week |
|
Less SWA rate |
97.20 per week |
|
Means in excess of SWA rate |
43.50 per week |
|
Means in excess of SWA rate |
43.50 per week |
|
+ Minimum contribution |
6.00 per week |
|
Applicant's contribution towards mortgage interest |
49.50 per week |
|
Mortgage interest |
56.75 per week |
|
Less applicant's contribution |
49.50 per week |
|
Mortgage interest supplement |
7.25 per week |
294.Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will give a breakdown of the amounts of money paid out in rent subsidies in the various health board areas for each of the years 1998, 1999 and 2000. [14748/01]
A detailed breakdown of expenditure on rent supplements in the various health boards for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 is set out in the following tabular statement. Total expenditure on rent supplements has increased considerably in recent years, mainly due to increased rent levels in the private sector rather than increasing recipient numbers, which have remained in and around 42,000 a year.
Expenditure on rent supplements by Health Board
|
Health Board |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
|
(£m) |
(£m) |
(£m) |
|
|
ERHA |
45.753 |
50.405 |
61.728 |
|
MHB |
2.639 |
3.143 |
3.692 |
|
MWHB |
4.531 |
5.450 |
6.646 |
|
NEHB |
4.000 |
4.483 |
5.332 |
|
NWHB |
2.183 |
2.781 |
3.679 |
|
SEHB |
5.961 |
8.265 |
10.282 |
|
SHB |
14.358 |
15.790 |
16.126 |
|
WHB |
8.474 |
10.257 |
11.233 |
|
Total |
87.899 |
100.574 |
118.718 |