Michael Ring
Ceist:421 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason the child dependant rate element of a disability bene fit payment was stopped for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7747/02]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 20 July 2001. He had been receiving a child dependant increase in respect of his three children since that date. Payment in respect of one child ceased on 1 February 2002 when that child reached age 18 years.
Payment of child dependant increase on disability benefit normally ceases when a child reaches age 18 years. However, I am introducing amending legislation from 1 April 2002 which will provide for payment in respect of a child dependant, in the year he or she reaches age 18 years, and payment will be made to the end of the academic year or when the child leaves second level education, whichever is the earlier. An increase in respect of the child in question would be paid to the person concerned for the period 1 April 2002 to 30 June 2002 when legislation comes into force.
Michael Ring
Ceist:422 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the immediate reassessment of means can be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7748/02]
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a widow's (non contributory) pension at the weekly rate of €85.40, based on means from capital. The case has been forwarded to a local officer for a review of her means. On receipt of the local officer's report, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims are made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:423 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason for the refusal of a carer's allowance to carers whose only means are social welfare payments. [7779/02]
The primary objective of the social welfare system is to provide income support and, as a general rule, only one social welfare payment is payable to an individual. This ensures that resources are not used to make two income support payments to any one individual. The carer's allowance is an income support payment and not a payment for caring. A person qualifying for two social welfare payments will always receive the higher payment to which they are entitled.
The recently published health strategy proposes to reform existing arrangements, including the carer's allowance, in order to introduce an integrated care subvention scheme which maximises support for home care. The Department of Health and Children has begun to work with my Department to develop proposals in this area.
In addition, the strategy proposes that a co-ordinated action plan to meet the needs of ageing and older people be developed by the Department of Health and Children in conjunction with my own Department, the Department of Public Enterprise and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. This wider approach is the most appropriate way to proceed.