Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 426: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a rent subsidy application form has issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6463/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive has advised that it has issued an application form to the person concerned. When it has been received, it will be considered and a decision given as soon as possible.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 427: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the living alone allowance was first introduced; the rate of the allowance at introduction; and if he will compare this to the current rate. [5990/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The living alone increase is an additional payment of €7.70 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone. It is also available to people who are under 66 years of age who are living alone and who receive payments under one of a number of invalidity type schemes. The increase is intended as a contribution towards the additional costs people face when they live alone. It was introduced in 1977 at the rate of £1.00 (€1.27) per week. The policy in relation to support for pensioners has been, for many years, to give priority to increasing the personal rates of pension, rather than focusing on payments such as the living alone increase. This approach ensures that resources are used to improve the position of all pensioners and is subject to regular review. It was decided in the context of Budget 2007 to continue this policy with maximum increases of €16 and €18 per week granted on personal rates giving a the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory) of €209.30 per week and a maximum non-contributory pension paid at €200 per week.