Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

108 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of area allowance payments made by the various partnerships up to the end of 1996; and if he will give statistics which show the success or otherwise of the scheme. [3989/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Partnership Area	Numbers at 31 December 1996
Mayo	227
Kerry South	82
Cork City	36
Drogheda	12
Dublin Inner City	161
Ballymun	60
Clondalkin	156
Tallaght	195
Finglas	79
Northside (Coolock)	177
Blanchardstown	95
Dundalk	52
Limerick City	95
Tralee	65
Waterford County	55
Wexford	96
Total	1,643

An independent evaluation of the area allowance has been under way for some time and the consultants' report will be available in the coming weeks. A detailed assessment of the effectiveness of the scheme will be made in the light of the report.