Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 366: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason certain supplementary welfare payments, for example, the diet supplement, are based on the 2007 social welfare payment rate and not the current level of social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9530/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Any person who is receiving a social welfare or health service executive payment who has been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition, and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

The amount of diet supplement payable in individual cases is calculated by assessing one-third (single people) or one-sixth (couples) of the applicant's weekly income against the cost of the relevant diet.

The last study into the cost of specialised diets was carried out in 2007. Accordingly when diet supplement payments for qualifying individuals are being calculated the social welfare rates for 2007 are used.

The Department intends reviewing the diet supplement scheme in 2012.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 367: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision to reduce the income disregard for those in receipt of one parent family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9638/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The earnings disregard in the one-parent family payment (OFP) aims to support a lone parent to enter employment by contributing to the costs of taking up employment, including childcare. Prior to 2012 a lone parent could earn up to €146.50 per week and retain their full OFP. From 1 January, 2012, an OFP recipient can earn up to €130 per week and receive the full rate of the OFP. Half of the earnings over this amount are assessed as means up to a maximum of €425 per week – with a reduced rate of OFP payable.

Evidence suggests that the OFP earnings disregard has been successful in encouraging people to enter employment. However, while the disregard does seem to have played a role in facilitating lone parents to enter the workforce, it may also have had the effect of trapping lone parents in low-paid part-time employment in order to keep their earnings below the disregard. The result is that, despite the fact that many lone parents are in employment, relatively small numbers are moving off the OFP scheme because their earnings exceed the upper limit.

The reduction of the OFP earnings disregard moves the scheme towards a single means-tested social assistance payment for people of working age, which is the Department's strategy with regard to means tested income support. This payment will end the categorisation of customers, including lone parents, into different payment types and will instead focus on the person and on their individual capacities. People can then be given, or be directed to, the supports and services that they need in order to return to, or take up, employment, training or educational opportunities.

There are no plans to reverse the reduction of the OFP earnings disregard.