Seán Ryan
Ceist:43 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposed disregards for people on rent supplement who take up training and part-time work. [1923/00]
Vol. 513 No. 2
43 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposed disregards for people on rent supplement who take up training and part-time work. [1923/00]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of rent or mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs.
Rent and mortgage interest supplements are normally calculated to ensure that the person, after the payment of rent or the interest portion of the mortgage, has an income equal to the SWA basic weekly payment rate less £6. This £6 represents the minimum contribution which recipients are required to pay from their own resources.
In addition to the minimum contribution, applicants are required to contribute any assessable means which they have in excess of the appropriate SWA rate. In effect, this means that all of the difference between the relevant SWA rate and the means which a person has goes towards their rent or mortgage, thereby reducing the amount of rent or mortgage interest supplement rate payable.