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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

332 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason incorrect information was given regarding the rent supplement reduction of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that at the time she had her rent allowance completely disallowed and was informed accordingly; if he will reconcile this conflicting information; and the steps, if any, he will take to restore the allowance. [24899/99]

The position set out in response to representations made regarding the level of rent supplement in payment to the person concerned was based on information provided to the Department by the appropriate health board.

At that time, the Department was not aware that officials of the health board had visited the person in question two days previously and that they had informed her that they would be recommending that her rent supplement should be discontinued. The health board subsequently notified her by letter that her rent supplement was being discontinued as and from 16 November 1999.

This case has now been re-examined by the health board and the rent supplement is to be reinstated and backdated to 16 November 1999. The Department regrets any inconvenience caused.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

333 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the position regarding the possibility of pre-1953 contributions being taken into account for the old age pension application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [24928/99]

In line with the Government's commitment to address the issue of people who fail marginally to qualify for a contributory pension, the Department is undertaking a review of the qualifying conditions for the old age contributory and retirement pensions. The first phase of this review, which is nearing finalisation, has paid particular attention to the operation of the yearly average qualifying condition and, in that context, examined the possibility of using contributions paid prior to 1953.

A report on this first part of the review will be presented to me shortly and I am on record as confirming my intention to report back to the House in due course. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, any changes to the fundamental basis of a scheme involves a cost factor and can only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources generally.
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