Vol. 554 No. 5
1675 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the appropriateness of the back to education allowance, specifically the six month work free requirement; her views on whether testing might be a fairer way of establishing eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15908/02]
The back to education allowance is a second chance educational opportunities programme designed to encourage and facilitate certain groups who are receiving social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, consequently, their prospects of returning to the active work force.
To qualify for participation an applicant must, inter alia, be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months or 156 days immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study.
The focus of this scheme has always been on those who have been out of employment for some time. It recognises the special difficulties that such persons can face when attempting to equip themselves for the modern labour force. The requirement to be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period of time has always been a feature of the scheme.
It is planned to initiate a comprehensive review of this scheme in the near future. This will focus on all aspects of the programme, including eligibility criteria. It is not proposed to make any fundamental changes to this programme until this review has been completed.
Question No. 1676 answered with Question No. 1654.
Question No. 1677 answered with Question No. 1668.
Question No. 1678 answered with Question No. 1668.
1679 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the guidelines for the carer's allowance to include the cost of rent or mortgage, and that means are calculated on net rather than gross pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16014/02]
1719 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will change the regulations in relation to a carer's allowance to take into account the situation where, while a 50% increase is allowable for a carer looking after a second dependant person, no extra payment of any kind is made where others in addition are also being looked after, as in a case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork where there are five dependant adult members of a family being cared for. [16843/02]
1736 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated cost of paying half rate carer's allowance to carers disqualified from eligibility due to the fact that they are in receipt of another social welfare payment. [17391/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1679, 1719 and 1736 together.
The carer's allowance is a social assistance payment which provides income support to carers on low incomes who look after people in need of full-time care and attention.
As with all other social assistance schemes, a means test in which the income of both the applicant and his or her partner is assessable applies. The means test has been improved significantly in recent years, most notably with the introduction of disregards of income from employment and other sources. Provision was made in budget 2002 to increase the weekly income disregards to €191 for a single person and €382 for a couple from April. These disregards ensure that a couple with two children and earning a joint income in the region of €22,617 will qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance. Or they can earn up to €36,364 and still qualify for the minimum carer's allowance, plus the free schemes and respite care grant.
In addition to these disregards, where the spouse or partner of the carer is employed, the PRSI, union dues and superannuation elements of their earnings are disregarded. An allowance may also be made for travel expenses.
Rent and mortgage payments are not taken into account in determining means for carer's allowance purposes. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a direct payment in the form of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent or mortgage interest to persons whose means are insufficient to meet their needs.
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. The carer's allowance is primarily an income support payment rather than a payment for caring. However, carers of more than one incapacitated person are entitled to an additional 50% of their rate of payment.
1682 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is only receiving ?123 per week; the type of payment this person is receiving; and if this person is entitled to a larger payment. [16034/02]
1709 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is receiving ?123 per week; the payment this person is receiving; and if this person is entitled to more. [16363/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1682 and 1709 together.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of carer's allowance at the weekly rate of €122.80. This is the maximum rate of allowance payable where one care recipient is being cared for.
At the time of her application she also applied for an increase in the rate of her carer's allowance for a second care recipient. This application was refused as the full-time care and attention condition was not satisfied in respect of this additional care recipient.
The person concerned was notified of this decision and of her right to appeal to the SWA office. She subsequently appealed this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of her appeal.
Following an oral appeal hearing the original decision to refuse an increase in her carer's allowance was upheld. An appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive and can only be reviewed in light of new facts or fresh evidence. The person concerned was notified accordingly.
Further medical information was submitted by the person concerned to the SWA office. A medical examination of the care recipient was undertaken on 1 May but this has not altered the decision of the appeals officer.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
