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Social Welfare Benefits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004

Thursday, 1 April 2004

Questions (149, 150, 151, 152)

Finian McGrath

Question:

149 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will reconsider the €5.8 million cut to the widows and widowers benefit; and if she will report on her meeting with the National Widows Association. [10334/04]

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Written answers

I met with representatives of the National Widows Association last week in the light of their concerns in relation to the discontinuance of the concurrent additional payment of certain social insurance benefits at half-rate together with widows and widowers pensions. Our meeting discussed the background to the measures taken in the context of the Estimates and the reasons this particular measure was put in place.

I indicated to the association that, as with other measures introduced in the social welfare code, I am keeping the implementation of these measures under review. My objective is to ensure that the total social welfare budget is applied to the best effect in tackling disadvantage and continuing the Government's policy of significant improvement in basic payments to social welfare recipients, particularly widows and widowers.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if rent allowance payments will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10361/04]

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The South Western Area Health Board is aware of the medical circumstances of the person concerned and these circumstances have been taken into account in setting the level of payment to her. She is in receipt of a rent supplement which is in excess of the maximum level for this category of household.

The person concerned contributes €13 per week towards her rent from her own resources. This is the minimum contribution required from all rent supplement recipients. The balance of the rent is met entirely by rent supplement.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if and when one parent family allowance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10418/04]

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As indicated in previous replies to the Deputy on this case, one parent family payment was terminated following a review, on the grounds that the person concerned had failed to fully disclose her means despite requests to do so.

The person concerned was afforded the right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. She has not done so to date, nor has she re-applied to the Department for one parent family payment.

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:

152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if and when rent support can be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10420/04]

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The South Western Area Health Board was contacted in regard to this case and has advised that the person concerned had been in receipt of a mortgage interest supplement. Payment of the supplement ceased following an increase in the level of her household income which meant that she had sufficient means to provide for the interest portion of her mortgage repayments.

If she wishes to re-apply for a mortgage interest supplement she should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre so that a review of her circumstances can be carried out.

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