Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 2

Written Answers. - Living Alone Allowance.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

43 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider extending the living alone allowance to all those living alone in receipt of social welfare payments; the estimated number of additional applicants who would qualify; the cost involved in each case if living alone allowance were paid over 60 years of age, over 55 years of age, and over 50 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The living alone allowance is payable to people over age 66 who are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment and who reside alone. Any extension of the living alone allowance to additional categories of social welfare recipients would have financial implications which could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Based on 1991 Census material, it is estimated that an additional 70,000 people might qualify if the living alone allowance was extended to all social welfare recipients under age 66 living alone. It is further estimated that the full year cost of paying the allowance to those over 60, over 55 and over 50 years of age would at present be in the region of £1.8 million, £3.2 million and £4.3 million respectively.