Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 4

Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

246 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received a lone parent's allowance; the reason she was subsequently informed in January 1998 that there was no record of her application and she had to make a new application and purchase a new birth certificate; and if he will have investigations made into this unsatisfactory situation which has been added to by a further error in the employment exchange in Cork when she was cut off unemployment assistance. [6292/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance and this has continued in payment without interruption with the exception of a number of weeks in January of this year when some payments were delayed due to the late submission by her of the relevant weekly claim documents. The person concerned is a casual worker and payment issues on a weekly basis for days not worked following submission by her of appropriate evidence of employment.

In December 1997 she made a claim to child benefit and also sought an increase in her unemployment assistance in respect of a new child. These claims were duly processed and put into payment.

In January 1998 she claimed one parent family payment and this has now been awarded. Arrangements are being made for the issue of an order book as soon as possible. The claimant seems to believe that she applied for the one parent family payment in December 1997 whereas the Department's records only indicate the child benefit and unemployment assistance claims. It is registered if there was any misunderstanding in regard to the claimants wishes in December.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

247 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of people over 65 years living alone in receipt of a State pension who are unable to avail of a social welfare pension and other benefits in view of their stamp contributions while working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6359/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The figures requested by the Deputy are not readily ascertained as information is not maintained in a format which would meet the Deputy's request.

Recipients of State occupational pensions who have paid full rate PRSI contributions are eligible for pensions such as old age contributory pension and retirement pension along with additional benefits, where appropriate. Recipients of State occupational pensions who have paid PRSI at a modified rate are not eligible for social welfare contributory old age or retirement pensions.

However, low income occupational pensioners, including State pensioners, who are not in receipt of a social welfare type payment are eligible, where appropriate, to receive free schemes such as free electricity allowance and free telephone allowance.

The weekly income limit fixed for this purpose is the maximum personal rate of old age contributory pension, £83 from June 1998, plus any increases for dependants, plus £30.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

248 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of elderly people in receipt of a social welfare payment whose payment is made to a provider of care, for example, to nursing homes and health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6360/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Pensioners who are unable to attend to their affairs may have another person, usually a relative appointed to receive pensions on their behalf. In some cases, an official of an institution, such as a hospital or nursing home, may be appointed for this purpose. These appointees are known as agents.

At the end of February 1998 there were 20,713 agents appointed for recipients of old age contributory pension, old age non-contributory pension and retirement pension. However, it cannot be easily determined how many of these are providers of care.

This agency arrangement was introduced for the convenience of such pensioners. In all these cases, however, the agreement of the pensioner must be obtained.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

249 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16 is eligible for arrears of widow's pension for the period November 1990 to December 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6451/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The person concerned, whose husband died in November 1990, first applied for a widow's contributory pension in June 1994. She was awarded payment from 24 December 1993, giving her the maximum six month period of backdating permitted under the legislation then in force. The legislation was amended in 1997 to provide backdating of payment for up to one year in respect of late claims made on or after 1 January 1997. The regulations, which were recently made pursuant to these powers, apply to claims made on or after 1 January 1997. They do not, therefore, affect the entitlement of the person concerned which is limited to six months arrears prior to the date of her claim. Payment could only be made outside of these statutory limits in exceptional cases of hardship, departmental error or where the person could not claim in time due to illness of a severe nature. None of these grounds are applicable in this case and, consequently, no further arrears can be paid.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

250 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider awarding a higher rate of old age pension to persons who have attained the age of 100; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6546/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

254 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of people in this country who are aged 100 years old or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6552/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

It is proposed to answer Questions Nos. 250 and 254 together.

According to the April 1996 Census of Population, 277 people out of a total population of 3,626,087 were aged 100 or over — 68 males and 209 females. At present, social welfare pensioners who are aged 80 or over receive an extra age related allowance of £5 per week. At the end of 1997, there were over 82,000 pensioners in receipt of this allowance.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government Action Programme for the Millennium includes a commitment to increase old age contributory pension rates to £100 per week over a five year period. Significant progress in this direction was made in the 1998 budget which provided for an increase of £5 per week to pensioners who are in receipt of maximum rates of payment. I am satisfied that the needs of pensioners are being addressed by this Government commitment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

251 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of mortgage supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6549/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

252 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6550/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.

An estimate of the number of recipients currently in receipt of rent and mortgage interest supplements, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is given in the following tabular statement. Expenditure on rent supplements has increased substantially over the past few years. This was mainly due to increases in rent levels. In July 1994, following concern caused by the escalating costs in relation to rent and mortgage interest supplements a review group was established by Government to report on the role of SWA in relation to housing. The group was comprised of representatives of the Departments of Social Welfare, Health, Environment, Finance, health boards and local authorities. The group presented its findings in December 1995.

Following the publication of the housing review group report, an inter-departmental committee was established under the aegis of the Department of the Environment and Local Government, with representatives from the Departments of Health and Children, Social, Community and Family Affairs, and Finance, to examine the implications of transferring the administration of rent and mortgage interest supplements to local authorities. It is expected that the committee will report shortly.

Number of people currently in receipt of rent and mortgage supplements (estimated).

Board	Rent	Mortgage Interest	Total
EHB	20,600	2,160	22,760
MHB	1,600	210	1,810
MWHB	2,600	530	3,130
NEHB	1,900	700	2,600
NWHB	1,600	420	2,020
SEHB	2,900	640	3,540
SHB	7,200	1,140	8,340
WHB	4,700	480	5,180
Total	43,100	6,280	49,380