Vol. 477 No. 2
241 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a change of policy will be implemented in the way covenants are assessed as means when the recipient is in receipt of a disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8733/97]
As is the case with all other social assistance payments, income received by way of a deed of convenant is treated in the same manner as any other case income, e.g. income from an occupational pension, and is accordingly assessable as means for disability allowance purposes.
I have no plans to revise the method of assessing income from conventants for the purposes of the disability allowance scheme or other social assistance payments.
My priority for the future development of the disability allowance scheme is to make further progress in improving the position of people with disabilities in the light of the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities.
242 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the regulations covering educational opportunities to broaden the range of payment beneficiaries eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8735/97]
I am convinced that access to educational opportunities is a crucial element in enabling unemployed people and lone parents to improve their chances of securing employment and also to enhance their self-esteem and confidence. There are, accordingly, a number of schemes available to people who wish to participate in full-time or part-time educational courses while continuing to retain their social welfare payments. The schemes administered by my Department are: the second level allowance; the third level allowance and the part-time education option.
The second level allowance scheme is available to unemployed persons and lone parents attending full-time second level education courses at any community, comprehensive or vocational school. Their entitlement to social welfare payments is not affected while attending such courses. Improvements in this scheme will be announced shortly.
Unemployed people and lone parents wishing to pursue a third level education course may participate in the third level allowance scheme. To qualify under the scheme a person must be aged 21 years or over and be unemployed for at least six months. As a result of improvements to the scheme which I introduced in October 1996, participants now receive an allowance equivalent to the full standard rate of unemployment benefit while attending a full-time third level course at any university, third level college or institution provided that both the college and the course involved are approved by the Department of Education for higher education grants purposes. There are also opportunities available to pursue courses at post-graduate level provided the person is aged at least 24 years and is the holder of a primary degree.
An annual book allowance of £100 for participants has been introduced. Furthermore, a separate arrangement is being introduced this year whereby participants will be paid for a full 52 weeks while engaged in the third-level course and they may work during the holiday periods.
An unemployed person or lone parent who fails to qualify for a full-time education course may attend a part-time education course and retain their entitlement to unemployment payments.
However, unemployed persons availing of this option must satisfy my Department that they continue to be actively seeking and available for full-time work.
243 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a disability allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [8811/97]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 10 March 1997 and his case was assessed by a medical assessor of my Department on 12 March 1997. The result of this assessment was that he did not satisfy the medical criteria for receipt of disability allowance. He was advised accordingly and of his right of appeal on 18 March 1997.
244 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Welfare the way in which an overpayment of social welfare benefit of £2,146 has occurred in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that when she was in receipt of the full rate of disability benefit she was only in receipt of half-rate lone parent's allowance and consequently an overpayment of this magnitude should not have occurred. [8828/97]
The person concerned was awarded disability benefit at the rate of £74.20 a week from 1 November 1994 in respect of herself and one child dependant. She was subsequently awarded lone parent's allowance at a reduced rate of £32.20 a week from 24 November 1994.
The relevant legislation provides that where a person is receiving lone parent's allowance at a reduced rate by reason of means, disability benefit at the maximum appropriate rate may also be paid. The person concerned was therefore paid disability benefit at the weekly rate of £74.20 to 30 October 1995 after which she was certified fit to resume work.
