asked the Minister for the Environment if it is the policy of local authorities to exclude disability and compensation payments from income for the purposes of assessing differential rent for disabled persons; and, if not, if he will consider proposals introducing such a scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Differential Rent Assessment.
35.
The assessment of income for differential rent purposes is generally made by local authorities in accordance with the 1976 national differential rent scheme. This scheme provides that income from disabled persons' maintenance allowances under section 69 of the Health Act, 1970, is disregarded for rent purposes. Income from disability benefit in the case of tenants in receipt of this benefit on 17th September, 1976, and continually after that date, is assessed at 50 per cent, whereas income from disability benefit in respect of new claims for benefit received after 17th September, 1976, is assessed in full for rent purposes. While the rent scheme does not refer specifically to lump sum payments received by tenants as compensation, it is understood that local authorities generally do not take such payments into account for rent purposes.
A review of the terms of the national differential rent scheme is at present being carried out and I hope to be in a position shortly to notify local authorities of the outcome of the review.
It is slightly off the point, but would the Minister say whether he has made up his mind about the date of operation of the new differential rents scheme?
Not yet, but it is in the final stages.
The Minister is aware of the considerable difficulty caused by some of his colleagues over the last one because the scheme was not notified to some local authorities until long after it had been put into operation elsewhere. That caused considerable trouble in the Department.
I am aware of the problem to which the Deputy refers.
(Cavan-Monaghan): In view of the Minister's statement that local authorities generally did not take these payments into account in assessing means, would I be correct in assuming there does not appear to be a uniform policy operated by all local authorities and, if that is so, would the Minister agree it is highly undesirable?
If that is the case it is undesirable. It should be uniform.
(Cavan-Monaghan): If the Minister will refer to his reply he will see that he said that usually these payments are not taken into account.
Yes.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I would ask the Minister to ensure that, whatever the practice is, it is a uniform practice over the entire State.
I will see what I can do.