(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether emergency benefits paid by home assistance officers are recoupable by the county council from his Department in the case of (a) unemployment assistance claims, (b) unemployment benefit, (c) national health insurance, and (d) destitute burial claims, where arrears of national health insurance have accumulated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emergency Social Welfare Payments.
59.
Public assistance authorities may be recouped, on request, home assistance paid in respect of periods for which unemployment assistance or benefit subsequently becomes payable. The amount recoupable is the difference between what was paid and what would have been paid had unemployment assistance or benefit been in payment.
Home assistance is not recoupable from disability benefit, but the position in this regard is under examination. If a public assistance authority assumes responsibility for a burial, and disability benefit was due to the deceased person at the time of his death, the local authority may claim a refund of the expense incurred.