Vol. 572 No. 2
210 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the interdepartmental group, which is undertaking the fundamental review of the supplementary welfare allowance and the community welfare service, last met; the number of meetings; the number of submissions it has received; and the progress it has made. [22747/03]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is subject to my general direction and control. It is administered by the health boards' community welfare service on behalf of my Department. At present the scheme is being reviewed by an interdepartmental working group chaired by my Department, as part of a series of expenditure reviews.
The working group met six times. The last meeting took place on 11 April 2001. A further meeting has been scheduled to take place later this month.
In the meantime, the substantial research and analysis work of the review had been ongoing with the involvement of the members of the working group. A wide consultation process was undertaken which resulted in 145 submissions covering 700 issues ranging over 18 themes being received. These were submitted by users of the supplementary welfare allowance service, information providers and other interested parties including the social partners, the health boards and the trade unions representing community welfare officers. These were reviewed by members of the working group. Academic research was also undertaken in co-operation with NUI, Galway.
The current phase of the review will be completed by the end of the year.
