Vol. 446 No. 4
110 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rent allowance of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 who has a carers allowance and whose husband is on invalidity pension was reduced by £78.80 per month. [2324/94]
The amount of rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is determined by a health board so as to leave the recipient with a post-rent income appropriate to the family circumstances, less £6. This £6 represents the minimum contribution which clients are required to pay from their own resources. Those in receipt of payments at the supplementary welfare allowance level contribute not more than £6 towards their accommodation costs while those on higher payments pay the £6 minimum plus the difference between the supplementary welfare allowance rate appropriate to their family size and the corresponding rate of their particular payment.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board that the couple concerned was in receipt of a monthly rent supplement of £226.40 which was calculated on the husband's income from invalidity pension. His wife was awarded a carer's allowance from my Department in March 1992. However, the health board did not become aware of this until April 1993. The level of rent supplement in payment was reduced to £160 per month in August 1993 to take account of additional income from the carer's allowance and the increase in the income of the household following the July 1993 rates increase. The supplement was recalculated further to take account of the 1994 July rates increases and the increase in the minimum contribution from £5 to £6 from the end of July 1994. The person concerned has been advised that her supplement will be £147.60 per month from 2 November 1994.
I am keen to ensure that those receiving carer's allowance should be supported in every possible way in this work. I am currently reviewing the position of those in receipt of carer's allowance with regard to their entitlement to rent and mortgage interest supplements under the SWA scheme.
111 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the anomaly in relation to child dependants allowance payments for those on unemployment benefit and those on long term unemployment assistance as in a case (details supplied) in County Wexford; the proposals, if any, he has to allow the payment of child dependent allowance to children between the ages of 18 and 21 years to parents who are on benefit; and if he will recommend any alleviation of hardship in this case. [2348/94]
Child dependant increases are payable up to age 18 and, for claimants of long term social welfare payments, including long term unemployment assistance, up to age 21 where the child is in full time education.
The age limit was extended from 18 to 21 years for those in receipt of unemployment assistance at the long term rate over the period 1989 to 1991. The extension was in recognition of the particular financial difficulties of people who are long term unemployed. The child in question attained 18 years on 3 October 1994 and payment of child dependant increase ceased on that date.
Any extension of the payment of child dependant increases with unemployment benefit for children over 18 years of age who are participating in third level education would have cost implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
