I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 110 together.
One of my main priorities as Minister for Social Welfare is to improve the standards of administration and delivery of all social welfare schemes and services. This includes the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered by the health boards. My objective is to provide a comprehensive service to social welfare clients through the concept of the one-stop shop so as to meet all the needs of the client quickly and in a more co-ordinated manner, thus avoiding the necessity for people to be referred from one location to another in order to pursue their claims or obtain information. We have already made considerable progress in reducing the extent to which persons claiming other benefits have recourse to supplementary welfare allowance on an interim basis.
The development of such an integrated service to the client is crucially dependent on the continuing development of technology within my Department. The installation of a countrywide telecommunications network, which is in the process of implementation, will facilitate the introduction of computer services to all social welfare offices around the country and enable the speedy transfer of information which is essential to a fully integrated and localised service.
As far as the supplementary welfare allowance scheme itself is concerned, there would clearly be considerable advantages in having the scheme administered directly by my Department as recommended in many reports. Such a major change would have considerable implications for my Department and for the health boards. The particular features of the scheme and its position in the general context of community care, which is a health board responsibility, would have to be taken into account in any consideration of the issue. It would also be necessary to ensure that we continue to have a flexible, speedy and effective service available to clients at a location convenient to them.
The future administration of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is being considered in this general context. The question of the take-up of the scheme is also being addressed as part of the examination of the findings of the ESRI report on poverty. As part of the second phase of this study the ESRI will be carrying out further research on the extent of and the reasons for non-take up of social welfare entitlements and this will include supplementary welfare allowance. Further action will be considered in the light of the findings which emerge.
