Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he will reinstate the fuel allowance in the case of approximately 200 older people living in sheltered accommodation in the Dublin city area who have not received a winter fuel allowance in respect of winter 2005-06; if he will backdate the payments to compensate those people for the payments not made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38293/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with the cost of their additional heating needs during the winter season. As a long-standing policy within the scheme, fuel allowances are not payable in situations where a person has access to their own fuel supply or is benefiting from a subsidised or low cost heating service, such as those provided by Dublin City Council at a number of its housing complexes.

In the course of a routine review of fuel allowance payments, my Department recently ceased allowance entitlement which had been paid in error in a specific number of cases where the recipients were in, or had moved to, local authority accommodation with subsidised or low cost heating. The allowances in question, which under current scheme rules should not have been put in payment in the first place, were withdrawn in these cases with effect from the start of this winter heating season.

However, I am conscious of the particular circumstances which apply in the cases concerned. I have reviewed the position to see if there is scope to resolve their fuel allowance situation, and I intend to clarify the matter very shortly.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the services which are provided to lone parents in Clondalkin and Lucan to assist them to return to education and employment with regard to high levels of welfare dependency of lone parents; the success of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38316/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department assists and encourages long-term unemployed and other welfare recipients, including lone parents, to return to work, training or further education through a range of measures administered by its social and family support service. One significant measure is the back to work allowance scheme which incentivises and encourages people to return to work by allowing them to retain part of their social welfare payment for a period when they take up employment or self-employment. Research has shown that 75% of participants remain in employment or self-employment following participation. Another measure offered by my Department's social and family support service is the back to education allowance programme which provides support to long-term social welfare recipients who need to obtain educational qualifications before re-entering the labour force. Again, information provided through research has shown that, in the case of a group surveyed, 63% were in employment following participation in the scheme.

In addition, a special projects fund, administered by the Department's locally based facilitators provides enhanced support to people who need additional help to progress to training and employment. The facilitators also operate small-scale family services projects in certain areas, which are designed to focus supports towards specific target groups with complex needs. The provision of this additional support involves individual attention, customised information and enhanced access to services. It can increase the capacity of those in the most difficult circumstances, to improve their self-esteem and personal situations through access to basic education, training and developmental opportunities.

It is hoped that by encouraging customers to participate in self development programmes and in some instances "taster" educational programmes that they will move on to more formalised training and educational programmes. The special projects and family services initiatives are based on the application of a partnership approach between my Department, the voluntary and community sector, the private sector and other local players in identifying and addressing local needs in terms of training and development for people dependent on social welfare payments, including lone parents. I can confirm that in 2005 to date the Department funded two programmes specifically for lone parents in the areas in question. One was a 14 week preparation for work and personal effectiveness programme for 15 lone parents. The second was a 12 week personal development and job seeking skills programme for 12 lone parents. Funding of €23,670 was provided for these programmes.

Two other programmes were funded this year to improve parenting skills and strengthen families. These programmes were targeted at parents in need and included lone parents but were not exclusively for lone parents. Funding of €41,100 was provided for these programmes to assist 100 families. In 2004, seven programmes specifically for lone parents — six in Clondalkin and one in Lucan — were funded. The programmes varied in duration from ten to 14 weeks and were designed to improve parenting skills and personal development. Over 80 lone parents participated and funding of €83,945 was provided towards programme and ancillary costs.

Another four programmes were funded — three in Clondalkin and one in Lucan — targeted at parents in need and included lone parents but were not specifically for lone parents. Funding of €38,150 was provided for these programmes to assist approximately 70 families. In addition to the above, lone parents are encouraged to maximise their income from different sources and the means test for the one-parent family payment makes provision for the exemption of significant levels of earnings.

With regard to employment, lone parents may earn up to €146.50 per week without affecting their payment. Above that level, half of any earnings are assessed, up to a current maximum of €293 per week.

From 6 January 2005 recipients whose earnings increase and exceed €293 per week may be entitled to half of their one-parent family payment for a maximum of 26 weeks, starting immediately after their earnings exceeded €293 per week and when the 26 week period expired the payment would cease.