Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Enda Kenny

Question:

269 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will give consideration to correspondence (details supplied); the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been refused rent allowance; if her attention has been drawn to the circumstances of the case; if she will rescind the decision already made in view of the fact that the person is willing to pay the rent difference, the person has to pay ?193 per week for present accommodation and her Department will only pay ?175 per week and will not allow this person pay the difference; if her attention has further been drawn to the concerns of this person's family in relation to the person's health and that of her child; if a Departmental official will make contact with this person's family to discuss the concerns of this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4914/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

Rent supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme are calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his-her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution of €12. The maximum level of rent, which a person applying for rent supplement may incur is determined by each health board in respect of its functional area and is set by reference to local rental values. The legislation governing rent supplements allows health boards to exceed these limits in cases where, in the opinion of the board, exceptional circumstances exist. The person concerned was informed by the local community welfare officer of the Western Health Board that the rent being sought in this case was in excess of the appropriate limit and that her application would have to be refused. She was advised that she should attempt to secure more appropriately priced accommodation or alternatively seek a reduction in the rent. She has not subsequently contacted the officer.

The administration of the scheme in this case is a matter for the Western Health Board and I have no function in deciding the case. The person in question should return her application form to the board so that a formal decision can be made. If the person is dissatisfied with the decision she may appeal to the health board appeals officer and subsequently, if necessary, the social welfare appeals office.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

270 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people in County Wexford receiving unemployment benefit; if she will provide a breakdown of the number to each district office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4984/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The number of people receiving unemployment benefit at 7 February 2003 in County Wexford, broken down by local office, is as follows:

Local Office	Number of Persons
Wexford	1,681
Enniscorthy	619
Gorey	534
New Ross	530

These figures represent an increase of 278 persons receiving unemployment benefit when compared with the corresponding week in 2002. This increase occurred in the context of 697 redundancies in County Wexford being notified to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment during 2003. My Department, through its employment support services, in conjunction with other agencies, will continue to assist those persons on the live register to make the transition to work, education and relevant training. In 2002, 57 persons in receipt of unemployment benefit in County Wexford were referred under the employment action plan of FÁS. Of these 618 or 64.6% ceased their unemployment benefit claims during 2002 and a further 99 or 10% have been referred for education or training.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

271 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will examine the concerns of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who is concerned that privacy is infringed unnecessarily and that evidence can be provided for supplementary welfare without involving the landlord; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5034/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

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

In this regard 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 the process currently used by the health boards to verify tenancies for the purpose of rent supplement is reasonable.