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Social Welfare Benefits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (178, 179, 180)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

235 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of achieving the promised €185 target for child benefit in 2005; the commitments which have been made under the Sustaining Progress agreement for the achievement of this target; and if there are plans to achieve this in 2005. [28029/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government's strategy on child benefit is to increase the monthly rate payable in respect of the first and second child to €149.20 per month and to €185.40 for the third and subsequent children. The Sustaining Progress agreement contains a commitment that this strategy will be completed by 2005. It is estimated that completion will cost €239 million in full.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

236 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to introduce an all-Ireland free travel scheme; and the work that has been done to date on this proposal. [28030/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Under the existing free travel scheme, pass holders who reside in the Republic of Ireland can travel free within this jurisdiction. Similarly, people who live in Northern Ireland and who hold a concessionary travel pass can travel free within the North. Under the special cross-Border arrangements, in place since 1995, both southern and northern pass holders can undertake cross-Border journeys free of charge.

The introduction of free travel on an all-Ireland basis would enable southern pass holders to make free onward journeys within the North. Similarly, Northern Ireland pass holders would be able to make internal journeys within the Republic free of charge. There are a number of issues to be resolved in order to implement an enhanced all-Ireland free travel system on these lines. These issues will require co-operation between my Department and the Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland as well, as the relevant northern and southern transport operator companies.

My predecessor met the Minister of State at the Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland in September 2004 to explore the potential for co-operation between the two Departments with regard to the proposal. Contacts are continuing between officials of the two Departments. I have written to the Minister, Mr. John Spellar, in Northern Ireland stressing my interest in progressing this matter.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

237 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent allowance subsidy will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [28051/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to assist with the reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people who are unable to provide for their housing costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.

The Mid-Western Health Board was contacted regarding this case and has advised that the person concerned made inquiries regarding rentsupplement at her local health centre. She was given the appropriate application forms and advised that she should apply to the local authority to be assessed in respect of her housing needs. The board understands that the local authority has deemed her not to be in need of accommodation.

While no formal application for rent supplement has yet been made by her, the board has further advised that such an application is unlikely to succeed in light of the local authority assessment.

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