Vol. 518 No. 3
228 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to extend the free schemes and living alone allowance to those who did not pay the full rate of PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11707/00]
A review of the free schemes was published by the Policy Institute, Trinity College Dublin last week. This is the first major review of these schemes since they were introduced in the 1960s.
The review examined the issue of extending the free schemes to retired public servants and recommended that this group should qualify for the free schemes in view of the wider social objectives of care in the community. The review considered that the extension of the schemes to those over age 75 would be of significant benefit to this group.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that I have already implemented, in budget 2000, the proposal put forward in the review to extend the free schemes to all people aged over 75 regardless of income and household composition. In addition, I have also extended all free schemes to carers in receipt of the carer's allowance.
I also intend to move towards the establishment of a single household benefits scheme in future budgets. This will amalgamate the existing separate free schemes administered by my Department into a single household benefits scheme with a streamlined application process.
The report examines a large number of issues and requires detailed consideration. I will carefully examine all the recommendations, including the further extension of the free schemes to those not in receipt of social welfare payments, in the context of future budgets and available resources.
The living alone allowance is payable to people of pensionable age who are in receipt of certain social welfare type payments and is intended to recognise the extra cost of living alone.
It is open to any person of pensionable age, who does not qualify for a contributory pension and whose means are inadequate, to apply to the Department for an old age non-contributory pension. If they satisfy the means test, they can qualify for a full or partial old age pension and, if living alone may also qualify for a living alone allowance.
