asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the disincentive to work which exists within the operation of the social employment scheme by virtue of the fact that a married man whose wife is independently in receipt of a social welfare payment is not eligible to qualify for the married person's social employment scheme allowance of £90 per week; if he has any plans to change the regulations in respect of this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
137.
A standard wage of £65 per week is paid to each participant in the social employment scheme. An additional allowance of £27 is paid only to those who would be entitled to an adult dependant allowance from the Department of Social Welfare if they remained on the live register. The total social employment scheme allowance is, therefore, linked to the appropriate social welfare payment and I would not accept that an anomaly exists.