James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will introduce a means tested full-time parental allowance for all low income parents of children up to the age of eight years. [34845/07]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will introduce a means tested part-time parental allowance for all low income parents of children aged eight to fourteen years. [34846/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together.

The concept of a parental allowance referred to by the Deputy was proposed in the Government discussion paper "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents". The discussion paper put forward proposals for the introduction of a new social assistance payment for lone parents and other low income families with young children. It also proposed a range of additional services including the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities; the extension of the National Employment Action Plan; focused provision of childcare and improved information services.

The new social assistance payment, currently being developed by officials in my Department will have the long term aim of assisting people to achieve financial independence through supporting them to enter employment – the avenue that offers the best route out of poverty.

As I have recently reported to the house, the development of any new scheme to support low income parents can only be introduced when the necessary co-ordinated supports and services — dealing with issues including access to childcare support, education and training — are put in place on the ground by other Departments and Agencies.

This is why the non-income recommendations contained in the discussion paper are currently being tested in two areas: Coolock and Kilkenny. These tests are focused on identifying and resolving any practical and administrative issues that may arise in advance of the scheme being introduced. The tests are now scheduled to run until the end of January 2008, with a report then being made to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. They will allow for operational and logistical co-ordination between the relevant Departments and Agencies to be considered and will facilitate the development of the policy and operational details of the new scheme and accompanying supports.

Although the terms of the new scheme have not been finalised the objective is to ensure that the necessary financial and other supports are in place to assist families towards improved employment prospects and that all disincentives to work are kept to a minimum.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will abolish the limitation rule for all social welfare payments. [34847/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Where both members of a couple are claiming social welfare payments and one or both of the claimants is in receipt of jobseekers allowance (JA), farm assist or pre-retirement allowance their combined payments cannot exceed the amount which would be payable if only one person was being paid with an increase for a qualified adult dependant, where appropriate. In this situation one or both of the payments would be limited to ensure that the relevant household rate of payment would not be exceeded. The removal of the limitation for the approximately 5,700 cases affected would have a direct cost of €19.8m in a full year.

The removal of the limitation would also provide an incentive to all those for whom qualified adult increase is currently in payment to claim JA in their own right, subject to being available for full-time employment. In the majority of cases this would result in an increase of €66.50 per week in 2008 terms. This development would have significant implications, both in terms of increased cost and live register numbers as it would apply (subject to means assessment) to qualified adults of working age across a range of schemes in addition to those currently affected by the limitation rule. There is a total of some 57,000 payments in this grouping, with additional potential costs estimated at up to €197m per annum in the case of 100% take-up.

The Government discussion paper: Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents, published in March 2006, outlines proposals for reform of income support arrangements for lone parents and low income families. It proposes a new allowance for all low income families with children under a specified age. This allowance would replace both the current one-parent family payment and the social assistance qualified adult allowance. In these circumstances no limitation would apply where the new allowance recipient cohabits with a person in receipt of a social assistance payment, e.g. jobseeker's allowance.

Lifting limitation for this limited period of time would have the effect of increasing household income in such situations by up to €66.50 per week, recognising the higher costs associated with care of young children. It would also assist in addressing the problem of poverty among children in low income families. Any proposal to abolish the limitation rule in full could only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of competing priorities.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is provided with rent subvention in view of extenuating circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34969/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that it has not received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. It has further advised that the person concerned should contact the community welfare officer if he wishes to discuss his entitlement to rent supplement.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the carers allowance. [34971/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 9 October 2007. The medical criteria for award of Carer's Allowance have been satisfied, and the case is being examined to determine that all other conditions for receipt of the allowance are satisfied. On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These Officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted carers allowance. [34972/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for half rate carer's allowance on 5 October 2007. The case has been referred to my Department's Medical Assessor to determine if the medical criteria are satisfied; in addition the case is being examined to determine that all other conditions for receipt of the allowance are satisfied. On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These Officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.