Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 April 2005
146 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if phase I of his Department’s review of the supplementary welfare allowance in 2000 was finished; the findings and recommendations of that review; if his Department has ever published that review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11895/05]
View answer154 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has plans to change the way in which the supplementary welfare allowance is to be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11896/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 154 together.
The supplementary welfare scheme is being reviewed as part of my Department's programme of expenditure reviews. The review is being carried out by an inter-departmental working group chaired by my Department, including the Department of Finance, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive.
The review involves a fundamental appraisal of the scheme. All aspects are being examined, with a primary focus on considering ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme.
Due to the number and nature of the issues raised, the working group decided to progress the review in two phases. Phase I of the review was completed at the end of 2004. This is a preliminary phase, outlining the background to the scheme, its current format, the trends in recipient numbers and expenditure, the objectives of the scheme, and their relevance in the context of Government and departmental strategies, policy and administrative issues for further consideration.
In this first phase, the working group carried out an extensive consultation process. This resulted in 145 submissions being received by the working group. Over 700 issues were raised in these submissions.
Following final editing, the report of phase I is being printed now and I expect it to be available next month. The report will also be available at that time on the Departmental website.
Phase II of the review commenced in January 2005. This involves a full examination of the issues raised by the group and in the submissions received, the efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme, and the validity objectives. The group will make recommendations as necessary in relation to the future of the scheme based on the conclusions of its examination and is due to complete its work by the end of 2005.
The recent establishment of the Health Service Executive requires a fresh consideration of the role and structure of the community welfare service and of the most appropriate location for the service in the future in the context of the other social welfare services operated directly by my Department.
The issue is also central to the work of the scheme review group, particularly in its examination of the efficiency and effectiveness of the current administrative arrangements. I expect to be in a position to decide on future administrative arrangements later this year.
