Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

80 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rate of lone-parent allowance payable to a person (details supplied) in Limerick is less than the maximum rate; and the correct rate payable in this case. [15686/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The rate of deserted wife's benefit is related to the yearly average of contributions, paid or credited, from the year of entry into insurance to the end of the last complete contribution year before the date of desertion. A yearly average of 48 contributions is necessary to qualify for the maximum rate of benefit. Reduced rates of benefit are payable where the yearly average is between 24 and 47 contributions.

The person concerned has a total of 247 contributions according to the Department's records in the relevant period up to June 1974 which gives her a yearly average of 30 contributions over the eight years involved. She is being paid at the correct rate of £97.10 for her yearly contribution average and child dependency situation. Her payment comprises a personal rate of £63.10 and an allowance of £34 per week for two dependent children. In addition she is receiving a weekly fuel allowance of £5 during the winter heating season from mid-October to mid-April.