Tony Gregory
Ceist:166 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to have rent allowances paid by bank giro or other means, particularly for over 50 year olds, to alleviate weekly queues at health centres. [205/94]
Written Answers. - Rent Allowances.
My Department is currently developing a new integrated computerised system for all short term payments including supplementary welfare allowance. This system will support a range of modern payment methods, and will eventually facilitate the co-ordination of multiple payments, such as the payment of rent supplements along with unemployment assistance. It is planned to introduce the new system on a pilot basis in the health boards in mid-1995, and to have it fully implemented in all boards during 1996.
To minimise inconvenience for customers who must attend at health centres for payment of rent or mortgage supplements monthly payment has been introduced, where possible, by health boards. In a number of areas, rent or mortgage payments are posted to customers. These initiatives, have reduced significantly the frequency of attendance at health centres for the customers involved.