Vol. 435 No. 1
91 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason his Department has failed to produce any documentary evidence in relation to the termination of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the reason his Department continues to deprive this person of his unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was in receipt of Unemployment Assistance at the maximum rate on the basis of a nil means assessment. His claim was recently reviewed and a deciding officer decided that the person concerned was no longer entitled to Unemployment Assistance as he had not given details to show that his means were not more than the maximum amount he may have in order to receive payment. He appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and an oral hearing of his appeal took place on 12 October, 1993. The Appeals Officer considered that it would be necessary to have a witness present in order to clarify points raised and he accordingly adjourned the hearing. A further oral hearing will take place in the week commencing 8 November 1993. A decision on the appeal will be issued shortly thereafter.
92 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on whether there is an anomaly in the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which excludes those on tenant purchase schemes regardless of their circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Health Boards may pay a weekly supplement towards rent or mortgage interest payments to people whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. A payment towards mortgage interest can be granted where the interest exceeds £5 per week.
Where a Local Authority tenant has opted to buy his own home under a tenant purchase scheme he will normally have the option to revert to tenancy should be encounter difficulties. Tenant purchasers who seek assistance from the Health Boards are advised to contact the relevant Local Authority with a view to renegotiating the terms of their agreements or reverting to tenancy.
I am concerned about the position of tenant purchasers who encounter difficulties with their mortgage repayments. The questions of assistance for such tenants is being addressed by an Interdepartmental working groups, consisting of officials from my Department, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Environment.
