Vol. 540 No. 2
203 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the progress made by the interdepartmental working group reviewing the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20414/01]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on my Department's behalf by the community welfare service in the health boards. An inter-departmental working group is reviewing the scheme as part of my Department's series of programme evaluations. The current review is a fundamental appraisal of the scheme aimed primarily at improving customer service and administrative efficiency. All aspects of the scheme are being examined. The review also provides an opportunity to re-focus the scheme, and for the health boards' community welfare service, of which it is part, to become more effective in tackling poverty and social exclusion.
The first stage of the review is now nearing completion. This involved an examination of the objectives of the scheme and included a widespread consultation process. A total of 145 submissions were received from users of the supplementary welfare allowance service, information providers and other interested parties, including the social partners, the health boards who administer the scheme and the trade unions representing community welfare officers. These submissions are being considered and will inform the deliberations of the inter-departmental working group, which will resume its work after the summer break. I expect its proposals will be finalised next year.
