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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring

Question:

320 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for and receive a carer's allowance payment. [6742/02]

The application for carer's allowance from the person concerned has been referred to an investigative officer of my Department for a means assessment and to confirm that the conditions for receipt of the allowance are satisfied. Her entitlement will be further examined in light of the investigative officer's report.

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.

Liam Aylward

Question:

321 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the substantial difference in the amount of allowance being paid by the health board to foster parents and that being paid by his Department to relatives of orphans (details supplied); his views on increasing the orphans allowance in line with that been paid to foster parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6760/02]

The orphan's payments paid by my Department are intended to provide income maintenance for children who satisfy the qualifying conditions.

At present orphans contributory allowance and maximum rate orphans non-contributory pension are each paid at a rate of €91.00 per week. Orphans payments are increased each year in line with the standard budget increases afforded to other income support payments.

The foster care allowance, paid by the health boards, is paid at a rate of €253.95 per week in respect of children aged under 12 and €279.34 per week in respect of children aged over 12. Since August 2001 the orphans payment is paid directly to the health boards, on behalf of, and for the benefit of, each eligible child in foster care.
Foster carers operate within a very specific framework, they are subject to rigorous scrutiny and ongoing monitoring by the health boards and the children in their care are subject to a care plan. This means that foster carers have additional responsibilities and duties in respect of the children in their care, such as working with health board personnel. The report of the working group on foster care noted that foster carers require extra financial support as there are additional costs involved in looking after foster children.
The two payments systems have significantly different objectives and purposes. The orphans payments, paid by my Department, are designed as income support measures while the foster care allowance not only provides income support but also recognises the additional responsibilities and expenses faced by foster carers.
In the circumstances, I do not consider there is a case for increasing the orphan's allowance in line with that being paid to foster parents.
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