Tom Hayes
Question:16 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the progress which has been made in introducing administrative individualisation within the social welfare system. [26890/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare System.
There are a number of different aspects of individualisation in the social welfare system of which administrative individualisation is one. Administrative individualisation essentially concerns the delivery of direct payments to people who are currently supported through the payment of qualified adult allowance with various social welfare payments. A working group was established in October 2001 under the terms of the PPF to introduce proposals regarding the implementation of administrative individualisation within the social welfare system. The working group comprises representatives of the social partners, the Department of Finance and my Department, and is chaired by an officer of my Department. It has met on a total of five occasions.
The group's discussions to date have identified a number of key issues requiring detailed and careful examination. The work in this regard is at an advanced stage and the working group is due to meet again on 12 November 2001. Further pro gress on administrative individualisation will depend on the outcome of these deliberations and I expect to have the group's report by the end of the year.
Question No. 17 answered with Question No. 13.