Written answers

Thursday, 25 May 2006

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

5:00 pm

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in view of the fact that income bands for deserted wives benefit have not been increased since 1992 he proposes to increase the bands and thus address this anomaly. [20104/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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An earnings limit was introduced for deserted wife's benefit in 1992. The limit, which applied only to new claims after August 1992, was set at EUR12,697.38 a year (gross earnings). Where earnings are in excess of EUR12,697.38 a year, there may be entitlement to a reduced rate of payment of deserted wife's benefit, provided gross earnings do not exceed EUR17,776.33 a year. Following the introduction of the one parent family payment in 1997, the deserted wives benefit scheme was discontinued with effect from 2 January in that year. However, existing entitlements already acquired in August 1992, when the earnings limit was introduced for new claimants, and in 1997, when the one parent family payment scheme was introduced, have been preserved. The upper income ceiling applying to deserted wife's benefit of EUR17,776.33 (gross) in 1997 has not changed since then and I consider that it remains appropriate to the scheme.

With over 80,000 unmarried and separated parents with caring responsibilities receiving support under the one parent family payment, I was glad to be able to increase the earnings ceiling for the one parent family payment in this year's budget from EUR293.00 per week to EUR375.00 per week or EUR19,500 a year (gross earnings). Recipients of deserted wife's benefit with dependent children may transfer to the one parent family payment if it is beneficial for them to do so. In March of this year, I launched a major Government discussion paper, 'Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents' which addresses the social exclusion and risk of poverty faced by low income families and their children. The report puts forward radical proposals for reform of the income support system for all parents on a low income. The report proposes the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities for lone parents, the extension of the National Employment Action Plan to focus on lone parents, focused provision of childcare, improved information services for lone parents and the introduction of a new Parental Allowance for low income families with young children. A range of views has been expressed as this report is debated and I will give serious consideration to all of them. As soon as I am convinced that we have reached conclusions that are workable and equitable, it will be my intention to bring forward proposals for legislation in the course of this year.

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if rent allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [20159/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in relation to decisions on individual claims. The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned has been provided with an application form for rent supplement. It has further advised that it will make a decision in relation to her entitlement upon receipt of the fully completed application form.

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for respite care grant will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20182/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There is no record in my Department of having received an application for the Respite Care Grant from the person to whom the Deputy refers.

As soon as the completed application form has been received, the application will be processed as soon as possible.

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for respite care grant will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20260/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There is no record in my Department of an application having been received from the person to whom the Deputy refers.

I am arranging for a form to be forwarded to the person concerned. As soon as this is completed and returned to my Department, it will be processed as soon as possible.

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