Vol. 504 No. 4
224 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has commenced discussions with the social partners to review the supplementary welfare allowance housing supplements; the discussions, if any, which have taken place; the progress, if any, made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11909/99]
Under the supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, scheme, a weekly supplement may be paid in respect of rent or the interest element of a mortgage repayment provided a person is not working for more than 30 hours per week. People who have been unemployed for 12 months or more and who take up employment in certain circumstances can retain their SWA housing supplement for three years, subject to a maximum payment of £250 per month, provided their gross household income is less than £250 per week.
A process of consultation has commenced with the social partners in relation to these matters in recent weeks. The purpose of these discussions is not to review SWA housing supplements in general but to consider the extent to which people on SWA housing supplements face unemployment traps, despite the arrangements for retaining these supplements, and to consider the introduction of an appropriate tapering arrangement to alleviate those unemployment traps. This is in line with a commitment in Partnership 2000 to consider arrangements for such a tapering arrangement in consultation with the social partners.
An initial meeting was held with the social partners on 16 April 1999 and a second meeting was held this morning. No definite conclusions have been reached so far and further meetings are planned.
225 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the processing of a carer's allowance application made by a person (details supplied) in County Meath over three months ago will be dealt with immediately. [11936/99]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance in February 1999. To qualify for the allowance, under current legislation, a carer must be living with the person being cared for. During the investigation, it came to light that the applicant was not living with the pensioner concerned and her claim was, therefore refused. She was notified of this decision on 31 March 1999 and of her right to appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office.
