Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2004
144 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made on the major review of all aspects of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; and the details of expenditure under the SWA scheme for 2003. [3997/04]
View answerGiven the changing nature of the SWA scheme, the rapidly increasing levels of expenditure and the range of changes being proposed in relation to individual aspects of the scheme it was selected as part of my Department's series of expenditure reviews. The review is being carried out by an interdepartmental working group chaired by my Department and is comprised of representatives from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Health and Children and the health boards.
This review is a fundamental appraisal of the scheme in which all of its aspects are being examined with the aim of improving customer service and administrative efficiency. The review also provides an opportunity to address the role of the health boards' community welfare service generally in tackling poverty and social exclusion.
The working group carried out an extensive consultation process. The views of my own Department's management, health board personnel, other Departments, statutory bodies and agencies, as well as relevant groups were sought. In all this amounted to some 2,000 direct requests for views. In addition, the group placed an advertisement in the national press seeking views of interested individuals and groups. This comprehensive consultation process resulted in 145 submissions being received by the working group. Over 700 issues were raised in these submissions covering some 18 broad themes. Due to the number and nature of the issues raised, the working group has decided to draw up an interim report. The group is currently drafting its interim report which I hope to receive shortly.
With regard to expenditure on the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, provisional figures indicate that €632 million was spent in 2003. This was an increase of almost 20% over the 2002 figure of €527 million. Both figures include the cost of back to school clothing and footwear allowances. Of this increase, 90% of the expenditure occurred in two areas: rent supplement, where there was an increase in expenditure of €80 million, from €252 million to €332 million; and basic payments, where there was an increase in expenditure of €15 million, from €145 million to €160 million.
I have a breakdown of the expenditure for the SWA scheme in a tabular statement that I will make available to the Deputy.
|
€ million |
|
|
Rent Supplement |
331.6 |
|
Basic SWA Payments (net) |
160.6 |
|
Exceptional Needs Payments |
55.5 |
|
HB Administration costs |
43.4 |
|
Back to School Clothing & Footwear |
17.7 |
|
Other Supplements |
15.0 |
|
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
7.7 |
|
Total |
631.5 |
