Vol. 561 No. 4
487 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the assistance available towards child care costs for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is a lone parent in full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4688/03]
While there is no specific provision under the social welfare code in respect of child care costs, the one-parent family payment scheme provides income support for lone parents. The person concerned is in receipt of one-parent family payment at the rate of €134.10 per week.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered by the health boards on behalf of my Department, also provides assistance to people whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. People in full-time education are generally excluded from receiving assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. They may apply under the scheme for exceptional needs payments in respect of certain expenses such as cots, buggies and other child care requisites. Payments under these provisions of the scheme have been made in the case in question.
488 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo received notification by way of a previous Parliamentary Question that he would receive ?70 a week, yet has received a letter to say this has been taken from him and he will not receive an old age non-contributory pension; and the reason this has happened. [4779/03]
The reply to the earlier question to which the Deputy refers indicated that the means of the person concerned were being re-assessed in light of additional information received and that in the meantime he would continue to receive pension of €70.70 a week.
The necessary inquiries were recently completed and his means were assessed as exceeding the maximum weekly statutory limit of €147.60 for entitlement to a pension. On this basis, his pension had to be revoked and he was notified accordingly.
