Vol. 431 No. 6
46 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if exceptional needs payments will be resumed on 1 June 1993 by community welfare officers in health board clinics and if, allowing for the necessity of the household budget training, the exceptional needs payments will operate on the accepted practice which applied before the system was changed by one of his predecessors.
I announced recently that the circulars issued to health boards in 1992 in relation to assistance with ESB and Gas debts by way of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme would be withdrawn with effect from the end of May 1993. These circulars have now been withdrawn with effect from 1 June 1993.
The circular I am now issuing to health boards ensures that people who experience particular difficulties with ESB and Gas payments will receive help. Guidance issued for community welfare officers ensures that help will be available where there are exceptional circumstances and where the expenditure could not reasonably be met from the client's normal weekly income.
New arrangements are being made to help people who have difficulties with their ESB or gas bills. My Department is drawing up a code of practice which will involve the health boards, the ESB and gas companies in providing an integrated and effective response to people in difficulties. The code of practice will be finalised shortly and published in the form of an information leaflet.
