Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

326 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of persons on disability allowance; the number who have been disallowed in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6891/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

There are currently 58,061 persons in receipt of disability allowance.

In all my Department's schemes there is a review mechanism to ensure that entitlement conditions continue to be satisfied. Continuing entitlement under the disability allowance scheme is dependent on the person satisfying both a means test and the medical eligibility criteria. This is achieved through a process of selective and periodic review of appropriate cases.

According to departmental records, during the period January 1998 until December 2001, 2,631 persons were disallowed disability allowance. Of those disallowances 182 were on medical grounds and 2,449 were in respect of means. This includes cases where appeals or re-applications may currently be in progress.

In all such review cases resulting in disallowance the persons concerned are informed of the decision and the reasons for it. They were also advised of their right of appeal to the social welfare appeals office.

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.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

327 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider further improvements in the family income supplement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter [6892/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Family income supplement is designed to provide cash support for employees with families on low earnings and thereby preserve the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might be only marginally better off than if he or she were claiming other social welfare payments.

The range of improvements to the family income supplement scheme instituted by this Government, including the assessment of FIS on the basis of net rather than gross income and the progressive increases in the income limits, have made it easier for lower income households to qualify under the scheme. In this year's budget, I provided for further increases in the FIS income limits with effect from January 2002. These increases raised the weekly income limits by more than €34 at each point, adding on average, an extra €20 to the payments of existing FIS recipients. The average weekly payment now stands at €71 per week, with a total of 11,630 families receiving a supplement under the scheme.

The question of further improvements to the income thresholds, is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context, having regard to available resources and Government commitments.

Question No. 328 answered with Question No. 314.

Question No. 329 answered with Question No. 53.