Vol. 508 No. 1
677 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason old age pensioners who received an increase in 1998 and 1999 suffered a decrease in their rent supplement from the health board; if he will examine this situation and, in particular, the case and submission made by an organisation (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17825/99]
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme a weekly supplement may be paid in respect of rent to any person in receipt of a social welfare or health board payment whose means are insufficient to meet their needs.
Entitlement to a rent supplement is determined by the health boards and supplements are normally calculated to ensure that the person, after payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of SWA appropriate to the family circumstances, less £6. This £6 represents the minimum contribution which clients are required to pay from their own resources.
In addition to the minimum contribution, all applicants, including pensioners, are required to contribute any assessable means in excess of the appropriate basic SWA rate towards their rent.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme will be reviewed as part of the Department's series of programme evaluations. In addition, the operation of the rent supplement scheme is also being examined in the context of the Government's commitment under Partnership 2000 to consider a tapering arrangement for SWA housing supplements, in consultation with the social partners.
Any proposals for changes in this area will have to be considered in a budgetary context.
