Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:
180
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
if he will introduce reforms in the fuel schemes and in the free schemes whereby brothers and sisters of pension age, one of whom does not have a social welfare pension, would not be disqualified under the living alone criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20844/00]
The fuel schemes are different in nature to the free schemes and, therefore, qualification conditions differ significantly.
The fuel scheme is a means-tested payment which is not age-related. The free schemes, on the other hand, are mainly provided to pensioners, in many cases without a means test.
The conditions that apply to the national fuel scheme require that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a means test and satisfy the living alone condition. A person is not disqualified if they are living with a person or persons in a number of specified categories.
Where a pensioner resides with a brother or sister of pension age who does not qualify for a social welfare pension in their own right, the household will still qualify for a fuel allowance if the standard fuel allowance means test is satisfied. The weekly income limit for this purpose is the maximum personal rate of old age contributory pension, plus £30, plus any increases for a qualified adult, dependent children and living alone allowance, as appropriate.
The free travel scheme is available to all people resident in the State aged 66 years or over, to all carers in receipt of carer's allowance, and to people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The other free schemes are available to people living alone, aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. They are also available to carers and people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
Budget 2000 made provision for the extension of the free schemes to all persons aged 75 years and over, regardless of their income and household composition. In addition, the free electricity allowance and free television licence schemes will be extended to all carers in receipt of the carer's allowance and to carers who are caring for people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relatives allowance. Both of these measures are being implemented this month.
With regard to people under the age of 75, the free schemes are already available to low-income pensioners people who are not in receipt of a social welfare pension and who satisfy the same means test as applies in the case of fuel allowance, described above, provided that they satisfy the other conditions of the scheme.
A brother or sister of someone in receipt of a social welfare pension would not disqualify the household for receipt of a free electricity/natural gas allowance and free television licence, if their income is such that they would qualify for the schemes in their own right.
However, to satisfy the living alone condition for the purpose of the free telephone allowance, the brother or sister of the applicant would need to be providing the applicant and/or another member of the household with constant care and attention. Medical evidence would be required in respect of the person(s) being cared for.
I recognise the importance of the free telephone rental allowance to pensioners and I am also conscious of the need to simplify the social welfare system, whenever possible. However, the question of aligning the qualifying conditions for fuel allowance and free schemes has to be considered in the context of the budget and in the light of alternative proposals for delivering improvements in social welfare supports to pensioners and others.
Any such changes would have cost implications that would have to be weighed against other competing expenditure priorities in this area.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:
181
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has received his full up to date payments of disability benefit and has full entitlements in this regard; and if a person can participate in a PLC course and continue to receive disability benefit payments.
[20845/00]
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since November 1994. He is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £164.10 which includes increases in respect of a spouse and three dependent children. All payments due to date have been paid.
A person receiving disability benefit must comply with certain rules of behaviour specified in legislation. In accordance with those rules a person is generally not allowed to engage in work or participate in a training course while receiving disability benefit. However, there is provision in certain circumstances, and for a specified period, to grant exemption from the rules of behaviour where a person takes up part-time work of a rehabilitative nature or training to improve their work prospects. The person concerned has been contacted to confirm details of the course on which he wishes to participate. On receipt of the relevant details a decision will be made on his application.
