Vol. 412 No. 5
137 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, when a nonworking spouse applies for a mortgage supplement under supplementary welfare, in assessing household means income tax paid is treated as if it were disposable income for the family and that as a result a lower supplement is paid to a household with the same disposable income where that income comes from employment rather than from social welfare payments.
Rent or mortgage supplements are generally payable where people in receipt of social welfare or health board payment are unable to meet these costs. As a general rule, however, payments under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme may not be made to a person in full time employment. Where a nonworking spouse applies for rent or mortgage supplement and the health board consider that a supplement should be paid, the earnings of the working spouse are taken into account in determining the amount of supplement to be paid.
All aspects of the guidelines relating to rent and mortgage supplements are currently under review in my Department. The issue raised by the Deputy is being examined in that context.
