Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Seamus Kirk

Ceist:

178 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will amend the companion provision of the free travel pass scheme to take account of a spouse of a free travel pass holder being unable to accompany the holder because of age or infirmity; if he will extend the companion pass to a third party in those circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3073/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

A free travel companion pass enables a person 16 years of age or over to accompany the pass holder free of charge. Companion passes are available to persons who qualify for free travel as the recipients of social welfare type payments in respect of a disability and who, on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone. The majority of companion pass holders are either blind or mentally handicapped. It is now also to be available to those on carer's allowance as announced in the budget.

The standard free travel pass, which is available to all persons 66 years of age or over, enables the spouse of the pass holder under 66 years of age to travel free of charge when accompanying the pass holder. The extension proposed by the Deputy whereby a third party could accompany the pass holder where the spouse cannot do so by virtue of age or infirmity would involve a significant expansion of the companion pass facility and could only be considered in the light of additional resources being made available.

Liam Fitzgerald

Ceist:

179 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons (details supplied) in Dublin 17, who are in receipt of unemployment assistance and both of whom surrendered lone parent's allowance books, are being discriminated against in terms of fuel allowance as well as in terms of the rate of social welfare payable to them jointly since they got married; if he will examine this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3082/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The persons concerned were both in receipt of the lone parent's allowance prior to getting married on 27 November 1993.

He was paid at the maximum rate appropriate in his case of £89 per week in respect of himself and two child dependants. He was also paid fuel allowance of £8. She was also paid at the maximum rate appropriate in her case of £89 per week in respect of herself and two child dependants. She, too, was paid £8 a week fuel allowance.

When they married one of the persons concerned made a claim for unemployment assistance on 13 December 1993. He was paid at the maximum short term unemployment assistance rate of £142.30 per week in respect of himself, his wife and four child dependants.He was also paid the smokeless fuel allowance of £3 per week.

The rate of unemployment assistance payable in respect of the family is less than the combined amount payable to two lone parents maintaining two separate households. The lone parent's allowance rates take account of the special needs of one parent families and the normal outgoings that arise in maintaining a household.

Fuel allowance is payable to people who are dependent on long term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. The person concerned was in receipt of the short term rate of unemployment assistance and as a consequence a fuel allowance was not payable.

In view of the nature of the case I am having this whole matter examined in my Department with a view to seeing what can be done to resolve the issues involved.