Vol. 531 No. 3
38 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the evaluation of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which has been undertaken; the aspects of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is under consideration by his Department with a view to amending same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5204/01]
46 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will give an updated report on the review of supplementary allowance. [5755/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 46 together.
The supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, scheme is administered on my Department's behalf by the community welfare service in the health boards. An inter-departmental working group is reviewing the scheme as part of my Department's series of programme evaluations. The review is a fundamental appraisal of the scheme aimed primarily at improving customer service and administrative efficiency. All aspects of the scheme will be examined. The review also provides an opportunity to re-focus the scheme, and the health boards' community welfare service of which it is part, to become more effective in tackling poverty and social exclusion.
A widespread consultation process has been undertaken as part of the review with users of the SWA service, information providers and other interested parties including the social partners and the health boards who administer the scheme. The submissions received in response to this process are being considered and will inform the deliberations of the inter-departmental working group. I expect that the proposals of the inter-departmental working group will be finalised by the end of the year.
