Vol. 497 No. 7
158 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of applicants for the back to work allowance approved to date; the number rejected as a result of applications arriving late in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26208/98]
Since the back to work allowance scheme was introduced in 1993, 42,646 people have been approved to participate. In addition to these, approximately 4,830 applications have been disallowed and, of these, some 2,000 have been disallowed as late claims.
The objective of the scheme is to provide a financial incentive to long-term unemployed people, who could not otherwise do so, to return to work. In the interests of ensuring that the places available on the scheme are given to those who need them, applicants must apply prior to taking up employment — this is clearly indicated on the relevant application form and information leaflet.
159 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will introduce a scheme whereby students who have successfully completed their third level education and are seeking employment will be paid social welfare for a short period of time irrespective of their parents' income and the students' residential status. [26216/98]
In assessing a person's means for unemployment assistance purposes, the value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed, such as free board and lodging in the family home, is also taken into account. The purpose of including this item in the assessment of means is to ensure that, by taking account of different household circumstances, the available resources are targeted at those who are most in need.
The abolition of this assessment, even in the limited manner suggested by the Deputy, would have the effect, therefore, of removing this targeting and would have cost implications.
In the circumstances, I would not be disposed to introduce measures along the lines proposed.
160 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to co-ordinate the means testing of benefits in his Department. [26268/98]
My Department is responsible for the administration of a wide range of schemes involving payments and supports to people in various circumstances and these require means testing on an individual basis to determine the extent of need and the appropriate level of entitlement.
In my view there is a need to balance the desire for uniformity and consistency across all social welfare means tests with the need to ensure that the system is sufficiently flexible to be able to respond adequately to the specific needs of differing categories of customers. The different methods of assessing earnings, for example, as between the various social assistance payment schemes reflect, in many instances, specific policies being pursued by the Department, which are aimed at targeting the needs of particular groups of recipients.
Progress has been achieved over recent years in streamlining the assessment of capital across a number of schemes. Any significant advance in the co-ordination of means testing, however, involves considerable costs to the Exchequer.
I have concentrated my efforts, in this area, on bringing forward legislation earlier this year which provides for a single personal public service number, public service card and for the sharing of information across Government Departments and specified bodies, including the health boards, for the purpose of determining entitlement to benefits. This significant development will enable the public service to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery and provide ease of access for the public to a wide range of services at single point of contact.
The legislation provides for the exchange of means data between the various agencies and this will reduce considerably the need for people to undergo multiple means tests when claiming their entitlements. It will be possible to have a central means database which, under specified circumstances, can be accessed by the various agencies where a customer has made a claim for an allowance, grant, etc. This will result in improved and quicker service to customers dealing with public sector organisations.
161 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason unemployment assistance was terminated in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who have four dependent children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26270/98]
The persons concerned were both in receipt of unemployment assistance at the maximum rate on the basis of a nil means assessment. Their claims were reviewed on 12 May 1998 and they were requested to submit certain documentation, specifically in relation to the building of their new house, so that their means could be reviewed.
They failed to submit the required information and their claims were disallowed by a deciding officer, with effect from 1 July 1998, on the grounds that they had failed to fully disclose their means as required by the Social Welfare Acts.
They were notified of the decision, and of their right to appeal, on 24 June 1998. No appeals were received, nor have the persons concerned replied to correspondence issued to them in August and September of this year. If, however, the necessary documentation and information is submitted at this stage, their claims will be reviewed.
