Desmond J. O'Malley
Ceist:26 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people in receipt of orphans contributory allowance and orphans non-contributory allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
There are currently 478 orphan's contributory allowances in payment in respect of 675 children and 155 non-contributory pensions in payment in respect of 223 children. From July of this year the rate of payment for both contributory and non-contributory schemes will be £40.40 per week.
Payment is normally made to the guardian of the orphan by way of a book of payable orders which can be cashed weekly at a post office of their choice.
An orphan's allowance or pension is payable in respect of an orphan up to the age of 18 or, up to age 21 if they are in full-time education. The orphan will qualify if both parents are dead or the mother has died and the father is dead or unknown; or if one parent is dead and the surviving parent has abandoned or failed to support the child.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:27 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position in relation to a uniform means test based on take-home pay or on net disposable income.
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:45 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he proposes to take immediate action on means tests which should be standardised to ensure that all claimants are treated fairly, equitably and consistently.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 45 together.
In assessing means for the purpose of determining entitlement to non-contributory payments account is taken of cash income, income from employment, property and investments or capital.
While the criteria are broadly similar for all schemes there are variations in the treatment of certain categories of claimants. Some of those variations are designed to take account of the differing needs of claimants. For example in this year's budget I introduced significant improvements in the means test specifically for the carer's allowance. An earnings disregard of £100 in respect of working spouses is being provided in addition to the general 3 per cent increase in the rate of payment. A carer whose spouse has earnings of £160 will now qualify for a £34.00 payment, whereas previously they would not have been entitled to any payment.
I have also introduced improvements in the lone parents means test which are aimed at encouraging lone parents who wish to work. The current earnings disregard of £6 per week per child is being replaced by a flat-rate earnings disregard of £30, including the £6 income disregard. A 50 per cent taper is also being introduced so that earnings in excess of the new disregard will result in a £1 reduction for each £2 earned, instead of the £1 for £1 withdrawal arrangement which applies at present. These arrangements will apply from July 1994.
I am giving consideration to the possibility of standardising other aspects of the existing means tests within the context of available resources.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:28 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to give parents child dependant allowances for children in the 18 to 21 years of age group who are in full-time education irrespective of their social welfare status.
Over a number of years I have progressively increased the age limit for payment of child dependant allowances to long term social welfare recipients where the child remains in full-time education. In the case of pensions and other long term payments, such allowances can now be paid up to the age of 21. In the case of short term payments such as disability benefit, child dependant allowances are paid up to the age of 18. Any extension of this age limit would have financial implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context having regard to available resources.