Vol. 409 No. 9
80 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to a recent decision made by the Eastern Health Board to change the weekly supplementary rent allowance in some individual cases to payment on a monthly basis and the difficulties this will cause for people on this benefit vis-à-vis their rent payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In recent years, the Eastern Health Board have been pursuing a policy of paying rent and mortgage supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme on a monthly rather than on a weekly basis. The majority of recipients are now being paid on this basis.
The principal aim of the board in paying supplements on a monthly basis is to reduce the frequency with which recipients are required to attend at health centres for payment. The new arrangements have been generally welcomed by recipients.
If in any particular instance, the payment of a rent supplement on a monthly basis creates difficulties for a recipient, the community welfare officer will discuss the options with him, including the possibility of a return to a weekly payment.
