Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2005
449 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is aware that the number of free electricity units permitted under the household benefits scheme is no longer keeping pace with the level of increases imposed on consumers by the ESB; if he will take steps to increase the number of free units for those persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19820/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe electricity allowance covers normal standing charges and up to 1,800 units of electricity each year. VAT due on this standard allowance is also covered. The value of the allowance, if fully taken up, is €359.91 per annum. The objective of the electricity allowance is to provide for a basic standard of electricity usage. That it is a unit-based allowance means any increases in the price of those units are covered. Proposals to increase the number of units provided by the electricity allowance would be a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.
450 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason social welfare recipients who opt for payment to a bank account are paid in arrears, whereas those who opt for payment by book are paid in advance; if he has received any representations on this matter; if all social welfare recipients will be paid in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19878/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides people receiving social welfare payments with a range of payment options best suited to their needs. Electronic fund transfer, EFT, to personal bank accounts is one such payment method. When EFT was introduced, payments were made four weeks in arrears. In 2000 the payment frequency was reduced to two weeks in arrears and it was further reduced to one week in arrears in November 2004.
The further alignment of EFT payments with that of other payment methods, including the elimination of the week in arrears payment, is being kept under regular review by my Department and I am confident that progress on the issue can be achieved in the near future.
451 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly is not receiving rent allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19951/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Supplementary welfare allowance is not normally payable to people who are engaged in full-time employment.
However, special arrangements have been in place for a number of years which allow people to retain a portion of their rent supplement where they take up employment through approved schemes, such as community employment. Subject to a weekly household income limit of €317.43, the supplement may be retained on a tapered basis for up to four years, that is, 75% in year one, 50% in year two and 25% in years three and four respectively. A person on a community employment scheme whose household income is above the €317.43 limit mentioned above may still qualify for rent supplement under the standard assessment rules.
The Dublin and mid-Leinster office of the Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was initially awarded a rent supplement which was based on her income from her social welfare pension. Her case was later reviewed to take account of the fact that she had additional income from her participation in a community employment scheme. At the time of that review the tapered assessment method was found to be more beneficial to her and she retained 75% of her previous rent supplement entitlement on this basis.
Following further review recently, the level of her household income was found to be in excess of the €317.43 limit which allows for the retention of rent supplement on a tapered basis. When assessed under standard rules the person concerned is deemed to have sufficient income to provide for her rent costs. Payment of her rent supplement was terminated accordingly. The executive informed the person of her right of appeal against this decision but it has no record of an appeal by her to date.
