Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

John Gormley

Ceist:

411 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 appears to be in receipt of a rate of payment which is less than the advertised rate of payment for participation in the community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10002/99]

John Gormley

Ceist:

432 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the Social Welfare rules which apply in the circumstances of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will confirm that the couple are now worse off with one spouse in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10008/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 432 together.

The couple concerned were both claiming unemployment assistance payments in their own right and had been receiving payment at the rate of £55.90 each per week, the maximum rate payable in their circumstances. A fuel allowance of £8 per week was also paid to one of the claimants to 13 April 1999, the closing date of the 1998-99 fuel season. Only one fuel allowance per household is payable.

On 8 March 1999 one of the claimants started on community employment, CE. She earns £89.75 per week net in respect of this employment. These earnings are assessable as household means for unemployment assistance purposes and had the result of reducing by £17 per week the amount of unemployment assistance payable to her spouse. The total amount payable to them, however, is £143.25 per week, which is an increase of £31.45 on the amount of unemployment assistance previously in payment.