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Gnáthamharc

Social Welfare Benefits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2004

Tuesday, 19 October 2004

Ceisteanna (259)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

400 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will amend the guidelines for the living alone allowance in the budget for 2005 in order that persons in receipt of the pre-retirement allowance who live alone can receive this payment. [25310/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The living alone allowance is an additional payment of €7.70 per week made to people receiving certain social welfare payments who are living alone. In general, the payment is made to those who have reached pension age and are receiving a social welfare pension and those under that age receiving certain invalidity type schemes.

Extending the allowance to recipients of the pre-retirement allowance would involve granting eligibility to a category of people who are not old age pensioners or incapacitated. Such an extension would have implications for other social welfare recipients under 66 years of age. Any change in policy in relation to the living alone allowance would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

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