Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

The Minister expects the review to be published at Easter. However, we were promised it for last Easter. This is another example of a scheme that is simply not meeting the current needs of those who look to it for support. It does not reflect the real-life situation with which people are faced.

The ridiculous 30-hour rule means that, irrespective of a family's income, if one member of the couple works 30 hours or more, the family is automatically precluded from the assistance. Apart from this rule, what else is being considered in the review? Is the Minister contemplating restricting the scheme any further? Some homeowners facing difficulties with repayments cannot avail of the scheme to assist them. While we are waiting for the review, will the Minister set down specific guidelines for monthly limits? In the absence of specific guidelines, community welfare officers are basing payments on the existing rent supplement limits. Given what has happened to rents recently, rent limits are completely out of line with what is happening with mortgage repayments. As there is a real gap in the area which means many homeowners are refused assistance, will the Minister set down guidelines for monthly assistance payments?

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