Pat Breen
Question:185 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason farm assist was reduced form ?118 to ?30 for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4122/03]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
To qualify for payment under the farm assist scheme a person must satisfy the conditions as to means. When calculating the means of a claimant a deciding officer takes into account all income enjoyed by the claimant. This is assessed as the gross yearly income which the claimant may be reasonably expected to receive, less all costs necessarily incurred, and 70% of the balance is assessed as means.
The person concerned claimed farm assist from 7 April 1999 and was in receipt of payment at the weekly rate of €111.80 up until 7 May 2002. This was the maximum rate of €118.80 payable for himself less means of €7 derived from farm income.
A routine review of his means was carried out in April 2002. Following this review his means were determined at €94 per week and his weekly payment was reduced to €24.80. His weekly rate of payment increased to €30.80 from 25 December 2002 following increases announced in the budget.
The person concerned did not appeal the decision.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:186 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position with regard to the rights of insured workers to dental treatment. [4131/03]
Under the dental benefit scheme treatments are provided to insured persons, with limited exceptions, either free of charge or at a reduced fee. My Department pays the balance of the cost directly to the dentist at the agreed rates specified in a contractual agreement with dentists. To benefit under the scheme an insured worker must be treated by a dentist who has entered into and is operating under such an agreement with my Department. The scheme continues to operate and dental treatment is being provided by dentists who are adhering to the contractual arrangements into which they entered.
A person who is treated by a dentist who is not currently participating in the scheme is not entitled to benefit under these arrangements and any costs incurred cannot be refunded under the scheme. This was made clear from the outset of the current dispute with the Irish Dental Association through newspaper advertisements which advised workers to check that their dentist was continuing to operate within his contract with the Department and, where appropriate, to contract my Department's Locall telephone service at 1890400400 to get details of dentists adhering to the agreed fees for treatments.
Detailed proposals aimed at ending the current dispute have been worked out in negotiations over the past two weeks. These are now being considered by the Irish Dental Association.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:187 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a lease agreement signed by both the landlord and the tenant does not suffice for the purpose of rent supplement assessment by the Eastern Regional Health Authority; if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties which the current requirement for the landlord to sign the supplementary welfare allowance rent supplement assessment form causes for tenants in that it allows certain landlords to discriminate against tenants in receipt of social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4154/03]
The day-to-day administration of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which provides for the payment of rent supplements is the responsibility of each health board.
A health board must satisfy itself that a bona fide tenancy exists in respect of a property for which a rent supplement is sought. The means by which it discharges this obligation is primarily the responsibility of the health board but I am satisfied that it would not be possible to do this effectively without contact with the landlord.
The first step in verifying the tenancy is the completion of the appropriate application forms on which the applicant supplies details of the household composition and means. The landlord must confirm details relating to the address, type of accommodation and the amount of rent being paid.
In addition to the application forms other documents, such as rent books-receipts or a copy of the lease agreement, may be requested by the health board. It is a matter for the health board to decide on the level of documentation it requires for the purpose of verifying the tenancy.
I am satisfied that the process currently used by the health boards, including those in the ERHA, to verify tenancies for the purpose of rent supplement is reasonable.
Question No. 188 withdrawn.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:189 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when unemployment assistance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4214/03]
The person concerned last claimed unemployment benefit on 17 September 2002. His claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work. His subsequent appeal was disallowed by an appeals officer and he was notified of the result on 10 January.
The person concerned called to his local social welfare branch office on 10 February. He was provided with the relevant forms to make a repeat application for unemployment benefit-assistance. Any claim made will be examined in full and he will be notified of the outcome without delay.