Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

108 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline all regulations and guidelines issued by him in regard to the administering by officials of the allowances under the supplementary welfare allowances schemes.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The following is a list of the regulations relating to the payment of allowances under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which are extant:

The Social Welfare (Supplementary Welfare Allowances) Regulations, 1977 (S.I. No. 168 of 1977);

The Social Welfare (Supplementary Welfare Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations, 1987 (S.I. No. 281 of 1987);

The Social Welfare (Supplementary Welfare Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 184 of 1988);

The Social Welfare (Supplementary Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 200 of 1989);

The Social Welfare (Overlapping Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations, 1983 (S.I. No. 253 of 1983);

The Social Welfare (Overlapping Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 279 of 1989).

Guidelines relating to the supplementary welfare allowance scheme were issued to the health boards in May 1977 prior to the commencement of the scheme in July of that year.

Revised guidelines on rent and mortgage supplementation were circulated in June 1988. The guidelines have been supplemented by circular letter on numerous occasions over the years to deal with new developments or issues arising. They are intended for the use of staff in the health boards administering the scheme and their purpose is to assist health boards in the interpretation of the legislation governing the schemes and in the application of its provisions.

A detailed leaflet giving general information on the types of assistance which can be provided under the scheme is available from information offices of the Department around the country and from the health boards. Separate leaflets on rent and mortgage supplementation and the footwear scheme are also available from the same sources.