Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2010
279 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rules governing the retention of secondary benefit have changed; and the eligibility of a person on a one parent family allowance to retain rent supplement after taking up a community employment scheme. [18856/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions for those taking up either an employment or training opportunity were subject to a number of improvements in 2007 which included the replacement of the retention arrangements under the rent supplement scheme. Under the current arrangements a person participating on community employment (CE) scheme can continue to receive rent supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules. Where a person has additional income in excess of the standard supplementary welfare allowance weekly rate of payment, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded for means assessment purposes. This ensures that those returning to work or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity.
