Vol. 462 No. 4
89 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the circumstances of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 show that there is a need to reform the rules regarding disability benefit for a person on long-term unemployment assistance. [4771/96]
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 23 January 1996 at the rate of £116.20 per week. He became unfit for work from 2 January 1996 and was no longer entitled to claim unemployment assistance. He claimed disability benefit and is being paid £65.50 a week which is the rate appropriate to his circumstances having regard to the fact that he had no earnings in the relevant tax year.
It is open to a person in this situation to apply for supplementary welfare allowance which is subject to a means test. I understand, however, that the person concerned does not qualify for a basic payment of supplementary welfare allowance by reason of his wife's earnings. He is, however, in receipt of an allowance of £6.70 towards the cost of his mortgage.
There is no social assistance scheme specifically for people who are sick and who do not qualify for disability benefit, on the lines of the unemployment assistance for unemployed people and the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is the only recourse for people in this situation. The provision of such a scheme on the lines of the unemployment assistance scheme would have significant, financial implications. I believe, however, that there is a need to review the provisions for sick and disabled persons generally and I will be undertaking such a review following the take-over by my Department later this year of responsibility for the disabled person's maintenance allowance scheme.
