Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring

Question:

217 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if carer's allowance can be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if the appeal in this case can be suspended in view of the change in circumstances of the person they provide care to. [31823/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The application for carer's allowance of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer who, having considered the medical evidence furnished in support of the claim, and the views of the Department's chief medical adviser, decided that the care recipient was not in need of full-time care and attention as prescribed in the statutory provisions. She appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and the appeals officer considers that an oral hearing is required. This will be arranged as soon as possible. Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to 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.

Finian McGrath

Question:

218 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of families dependent on social welfare as their sole income in the State. [31848/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

Social welfare payments can be broadly divided into three types: contributory social insurance payments, entitlement to which is dependent on PRSI contributions paid or credited; non-contributory social assistance payments, entitlement to which is determined by reference to an individual's means, and other payments or benefits, paid to all qualifying persons irrespective of means or contributions – for example, child benefit.

In the case of contributory pensions or other non-means tested payments, as payments are made without reference to income it is not possible to indicate the numbers who depend on their social welfare payment as their sole source of income. In the case of assistance based payments, payment is made subject to a means test and payment levels may be reduced, or indeed no payments may be made if means are above a certain level. Persons below a certain means level or with no assessed means receive the maximum rate of payments as appropriate.

At the end of September 2003, the numbers of clients in receipt of social assistance payments at the maximum rate were as follows:

* Old-age Non-Contributory Pension	57,133
* Widow-ers Non-Contributory Pension	11,513
* Deserted Wives Allowance	1,385
* Lone Parents-One-parent Families	60,270
* Unemployment Assistance	65,084
* Farm Assist	641
* Pre-Retirement Allowance	9,498
* Orphan's Non-Contributory Pension	446
* Carer's Allowance	18,943
* Disability Allowance	59,448
* Supplementary Welfare Allowance	24,332

The fact that a client is in receipt of the maximum rate of a payment, does not necessarily mean he or she has no other source of income or capital. Many schemes administered by my Department include means disregards, that is, amounts not counted as means.

For example, a couple may have capital assets up to a value of €25,394.76 before a payment is affected. A person in receipt of one-parent family payment may have earnings of €146.50 per week before payment is affected. For carer's allowance, a couple may have up to €420 of combined weekly income before affecting the rate of payment and this will increase in 2004 to €500 per week following changes announced in the budget.