Vol. 483 No. 4
115 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, which exist within his Department to rationalise the number of social welfare payment categories in order that those who are entitled to social assistance payments are faced with a less imposing bureaucratic system. [20375/97]
The principle of rationalising the number of social assistance schemes is kept under continuous review. As part of this process the new one-parent family payment (OFP), which was introduced in January 1997, merged the previous social assistance schemes for lone parents and deserted wife's benefit recipients.
However, it should be borne in mind that different categories of social welfare recipients have differing needs. The social welfare system must, therefore, be flexible enough to respond adequately to these needs. For example, the different methods of assessing earnings as between the various social assistance payment schemes reflect specific policies being pursued by my Department, which are aimed at targeting particular groups of recipients for special attention.
Most recently, however, the process of standardising the assessment of capital across the different social assistance schemes has been initiated, so as to improve the equity of the system. The introduction of the disability allowance (DA) scheme in October 1996 and the one-parent family payment scheme in January 1997 presented the opportunity to commence this process.
Under the new assessment provisions, the first £2,000 of capital is disregarded, the next £20,000 is assessed at 7.5 per cent of the capital value and the balance is assessed at 15 per cent. These provisions were further extended under the Social Welfare Act, 1997 to the old age (non-contributory) pension, widow's and widower's (non-contributory) pension, orphan's (non-contributory) pension, carer's allowance and pre-retirement allowance schemes, with effect from October 1997.
The question of extending them to the other social assistance schemes, that is unemployment assistance and supplementary welfare allowance, is being examined in a budgetary context, in the light of the available resources and other priorities.
Further rationalisation and streamlining of social welfare payment categories will be considered as the opportunities arise and resources allow.
116 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on whether State support for widows is inadequate; and the proposals, if any, he has in this regard. [20606/97]
The widow's and widower's pension schemes recognise the financial difficulties that arise for people who are bereaved by the death of their spouse. The qualification conditions for a widow's or widower's (contributory) pension are less onerous than those pertaining to other social welfare pensions reflecting the difficulties of widowhood.
117 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not being given a free fuel allowance. [20731/97]
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit from 12 May 1997 to 6 September 1997 when he commenced employment under a community employment scheme. Participants, who previously had an entitlement to fuel allowance, retain this entitlement while in community employment. However, as fuel allowance is not payable with unemployment benefit, there is no entitlement in this case.
119 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his Department will reconsider its decision to refuse the third level allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the high cost of fees for the course and the efforts which the person is making to equip himself with the skills to return to the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20734/97]
One of the conditions attached to receipt of my Department's third level allowance requires the applicant to be attending a full-time course of study which is recognised by the Department of Education and Science or by the National Council for Educational Awards for the purposes of the higher education grants scheme. The course being attended by the person concerned does not satisfy this condition and, consequently, it is not possible to reconsider the decision already given in this case.
122 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the rate of child benefit paid in Ireland in comparison to our EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/97]
In Ireland, child benefit remains one of the most effective means of tackling poverty, as it channels resources directly to families and particularly to families on low incomes. Because it is not taxable, is not withdrawn when an unemployed parent takes up employment and is not assessed as means for other secondary benefits such as differential rents, medical cards, etc. , it does not act as a disincentive to taking up employment. Accordingly, priority has been given in recent years to assisting low income families and in particular, larger families. This has been achieved by increasing the higher rate of child benefit, payable in respect of third and subsequent children, from £25 in 1994 to £39 this year. In addition, the lower rate of child benefit, payable in respect of the first and second child, has been increased from £20 in 1994 to £30 this year.
Child benefit in a European context is a family benefit. Such benefits vary considerably among member states of the EU both in terms of rates of payment, conditions of entitlement and family composition. The latest edition, 1995, of MISSOC, the European Union information system on social protection, provides comparative tables on family benefits and other benefits in each of the member states. A copy of this publication is available in the Oireachtas Library for the information of Members. A more up to date publication is expected shortly. I will arrange for a copy to be lodged in the Oireachtas Library and for the Deputy to be notified of its availability.
125 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will give a commitment that households will not lose secondary benefits if one of their members qualifies for and accepts a carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20745/97]
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the free schemes of free electricity allowance, free TV licence and free telephone rental allowance. These payments are available to people, usually aged 66 or over, who are in receipt of a welfare type payment and who are either living alone or who otherwise satisfy this condition.
The carer's allowance is a social assistance scheme which provides an income maintenance payment to people who are providing elderly or incapacitated pensioners or certain persons with disabilities with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below certain limits. The payment of a carer's allowance does not debar a person in that household from receipt of the free schemes.
If the Deputy has any particular case in mind I will have the matter investigated on receipt of the relevant details.
126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs whether he will broaden the categories in respect of entitlement to free travel with particular reference to companion pass entitlements for those who cannot travel without a companion but who do not currently receive a qualifying payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20746/97]
The free travel scheme operated by my Department is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over as well as certain people with disabilities under that age who are in receipt of certain social welfare type payments. The scheme provides free travel, primarily at off-peak periods, to eligible people on the main public and private transport services. Currently, about 497,000 people qualify for free travel at an estimated annual cost of £32.4 million.
Free travel companion passes have been available since 1990 to persons who qualify for free travel and who, on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone. The free travel companion pass enables a person aged 16 years or over to accompany the pass holder free of charge.
