Vol. 495 No. 7
126 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason some people in receipt of invalidity pensions who are participating in community employment schemes have had their weekly pay through the community employment schemes reduced recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21461/98]
People who are in receipt of invalidity pension may be permitted to avail of FÁS training/employment schemes, subject to approval under the rules of behaviour, as agreed and administered by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and the National Rehabilitation Board. This enables the individual to continue to receive their invalidity pension along with the appropriate FÁS payments, which is based on the single adult rate for the appropriate scheme.
In 1997-98 some of the people concerned were being paid more than the single adult rate from the commencement of their activity with FÁS which should not have been the case. In consequence they were, incorrectly, receiving two sets of allowances for their dependants.
As this did not arise from any fault on the part of the participants there was no reduction in their payment for that year on community employment. However, some of the individuals concerned began a further year on CE and the correction was made at that stage, in accordance with the rules of behaviour.
