Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to continue to maintain the value of the lowest rate of social welfare payments as agreed in the national action plan on social inclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20128/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Agreed Programme for Government includes the following commitment relating to the lowest rate of social welfare payments:

Continue to maintain the value of the lowest rate of social welfare payments as agreed in the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion.

In Budget 2008, the lowest rate of social welfare payment was increased by €12.00 per week or 6.5%, thereby fully maintaining the value of the lowest rate of social welfare payments.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to further increase eligibility for the carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20129/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to double the non-means-tested respite care grant to €3,000 per person cared for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20130/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

Supporting and recognising carers in our society is, and has been, a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended. Carer's allowance, in line with other social assistance schemes, is means tested. This ensures that scarce resources are directed at those in greatest need. The carer's allowance means test is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes. It has been significantly eased over the years, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings.

Increases to the carer's allowance income disregard, provided for in Budget 2008, mean that, from April 2008, a single person can have an income of €332.50 per week and a couple can have an income of up to €665 per week and still qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance (the previous levels were €320 and €640 per week respectively). This ensures that a couple can have an income in the region of €37,200 per year and still qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance as well as the associated free travel, household benefits package and the respite care grant. This increase surpasses the "Towards 2016" commitment of ensuring that those on average earnings can qualify for carer's allowance.

In addition, in Budget 2008 the maximum rate of carer's allowance was increased to €214 per week for those aged under 66 and to €232 per week for those aged over 66, with effect from January 2008. Budget 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people can receive a maximum payment equivalent to a half rate carer's allowance while receiving another social welfare payment, other than jobseekers benefit or allowance. In June 2006 the number of hours for which a person can engage in employment, self-employment, education or training and still be considered to be providing full time care for the purposes of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant was increased from 10 to 15 hours per week.

From June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers who are providing full time care to a person who needs such care, regardless of their income. A carer who is caring for two or more people is entitled to a full grant for each of the care recipients. The rate of the grant will increase to €1,700 per year from June 2008. I will keep the supports for carers available from my Department under review in order to continue to improve the schemes and ensure commitments on income support are delivered.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to extend the national fuel allowance scheme to cover eligible carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20131/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Supporting and recognising carers in our society is a priority of the Government. Since 1997, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended. Carers can also qualify for free travel, the household benefits package and respite care grant. Carer's allowance, in line with other social assistance schemes, is means tested. This ensures that scarce resources are directed at those in greatest need. The carer's allowance means test is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes. It has been significantly eased over the years, most notably with regard to the treatment of spouse earnings.

The national fuel allowance scheme assists householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. Fuel allowances are paid for 30 weeks from end-September to mid-April. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Improvements to the fuel allowance in recent years include an easing of the means test, extending the duration of payment from 26 to 30 weeks and an increase in the rates of payment. The current rate of fuel allowance is €18 with a supplement of €3.90 paid to recipients in designated smokeless areas.

The extension of the national fuel scheme to eligible carers, as set out in the Agreed Programme for Government, will be progressed in the context of the overall package of commitments relating to carers contained in the programme. Any additional costs arising will be considered in a budget context having regard to overall resources available for social welfare schemes generally.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to develop a national carers strategy and that there will be appropriate consultation with the social partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20132/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The development of a National Carers' Strategy is a key Government commitment in both the national partnership agreement "Towards 2016" and the Programme for Government. A working group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach, has begun work on developing the strategy. My Department provides the secretariat to the working group which also includes representatives of the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as FÁS and the Health Service Executive. To date the working group has held three meetings, in February March and April.

Developing the strategy involves consultation with other government departments and bodies not represented on the working group. Officials of The Department of Social and Family Affairs have met with a wide range of organisations including the Equality Authority, Combat Poverty Agency, Citizen's Information Board, the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Disability Authority. A request for submissions from the public was published in regional newspapers in early March. The closing date for submissions was Friday 18 April 2008. There was a good response from individuals and organisations and the submissions received are currently being examined.

"Towards 2016" commits the Department to hosting an annual consultation meeting of carer representative groups and relevant departments and agencies. Such a meeting was held on 23 January 2008. Representatives of 12 groups and 9 government departments and bodies attended. The theme was the National Carers' Strategy and groups were given an opportunity to comment on the draft terms of reference and to raise other issues considered relevant in the context of the strategy. It is intended that a further meeting with carer groups will be held in early summer.

The commitment to the development of a National Carers' Strategy also includes a commitment to appropriate consultation with the social partners. An update in relation to the strategy was provided to the social partners plenary session in February. The first of two consultation meetings with the social partners was held on 8 May 2008. Key issues raised were recognition for carers and their work, access to suitable health services, income support, training, gender issues and balancing employment and care. It is intended to publish the strategy later this year.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to implement a range of reforms to income support for lone parents including removal of the cohabitation restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20133/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to replace lone parents allowance with a new and improved family friendly allowance, and relaxing restrictions on work while retaining the social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20134/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.

The Government discussion paper, "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents," put forward proposals for 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 social assistance payment for low income families with young children. Under the proposals the lone parenthood category of payment would no longer exist. Instead, a new payment would be made to all parents (living alone or with a partner), with young children, on low income. This new payment is currently being developed in the Department, taking into account the various issues raised in the consultation process which continues to take place.

Any proposed new payment scheme can only be introduced when the necessary coordinated supports and services are put in place on the ground by other relevant Departments and Agencies. This is why the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion has been tasked with bringing forward a plan on the key issues of childcare, education, training and activation measures. The non-income recommendations contained in the discussion paper were examined in two areas: Coolock and Kilkenny. These studies focused on identifying and resolving any practical and administrative issues that may arise in advance of the scheme being introduced and took place between November 2007 and February 2008. They allow for the operational and logistical co-ordination between the relevant Departments and Agencies to be considered and facilitate the development of the policy and operational details of the new scheme and accompanying supports. The outcome of the process is currently being considered in the Department. This will inform the further development of the proposals which I hope to bring to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion in the coming months.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to amalgamate qualified child allowances and family income supplements in order to develop a second tier of income support targeted at the poorest families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20135/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of an earlier Social Partnership agreement, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) was asked to examine the feasibility of merging the family income supplement (FIS) with the increase for qualified children (IQC) and possibly including other child supports such as the back to school clothing and footwear allowance, resulting in a single means-based child income support. Such a payment would be aimed specifically at targeting child poverty by channelling resources to low-income families without creating significant disincentives to employment. This commitment to examining such a change was subsequently embodied in the current social partnership agreement 'Towards 2016'. Although NESC failed to reach a consensus on this issue, a research paper by Dr. John Sweeney was made available late in 2007 as a contribution to the debate.

In considering future policy, it is important to keep in mind the multiple objectives behind the provision of child income support and to maintain the correct balance between broad based supports such as child benefit and more targeted supports such as FIS and IQCs. My Department has undertaken a review of this area adopting a two strand approach which includes an analysis of families already receiving FIS and an examination of possible FIS qualifying families who have not applied for payment. This review, together with consideration of the issues raised in Dr. Sweeney's discussion paper, is expected to be available later in 2008.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to continue to increase child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20136/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Child benefit is a universal payment, paid in respect of children up to the age of 16 years. It continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability. The policy of the Government over the past number of years has been to substantially increase the amount spent on child benefit for all families. Commitment to this policy is reflected in the significant resources invested in the scheme since 2001, increasing monthly payments to €166.00 for each of the first two children and €203.00 for the third and subsequent children from April 2008. This represents increases of 336% and 310% respectively since 1997, compared to a 47% increase in the consumer price index over the same period.

Although recent policy has been to concentrate additional resources on more targeted supports such as family income supplement, increase for qualified children and back to school support, Budget 2008 also provided for CB increases of €6 per month (lower rate) and €8 (higher rate) from April 2008. This government is committed to improving the level of child income support and will continue to do so. The information on rates of child benefit from 1994 to 2008 can be found in the following tabular statement.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to implement significant improvements to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20137/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to implement significant improvements to the school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20138/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.

The school meals programme gives funding towards provision of food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes, the long-standing statutory urban school meals scheme and the school meals local projects programme. Implementation of improvements in the programme is well underway. Expenditure on the programme increased from €13.6m in 2006 to €27.16m in 2007, and is expected to be in the region of €32m in 2008. In 2006, some 1,394 schools with over 145,000 pupils benefited and this increased to over 185,000 pupils in over 1,900 schools in 2007. The Department of Education and Science have identified a total of 875 disadvantaged schools under its 'Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools' (DEIS) action plan. These DEIS schools have been targeted for inclusion in the school meals local projects scheme and, to date, pupils from over 700 DEIS schools have benefited from the scheme. The additional funding provided in 2008 will be used mainly to include more DEIS schools in the school meals local projects scheme.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear scheme has been greatly improved also in recent years. The rates of back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) have been increased significantly. Since 2005, the allowance has increased from €80 to €200 in respect of qualified children aged from 2 to 11 years and from €150 to €305 for those aged from 12 to 22 years. These are increases of 150% and 103%, respectively. In 2006, the income limits for BSCFA were increased by €50 to €100 above the state pension (contributory) rate. The numbers of children benefiting from the allowance increased from 161,000 in 2006 to over 180,000 in 2007.

These improvements provide a major boost to families in meeting the financial costs associated with return to school for those who most need assistance. The improvements in BSCFA are also very significant when viewed in the context of clothing and footwear price trends. According to the Consumer Price Index for April 2008, the overall cost of clothing and footwear has fallen by almost 3% over the past twelve months. Further improvements in the scheme will be considered in the context of next December's Budget in light of the resources available to me for improvements in social welfare generally.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to review the standard means-test for rent supplement and to provide enhanced financial incentives to take up part-time employment, training, education or other progression items, minimising, where possible, the impact of the sudden withdrawal of social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20139/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to initiate a feasibility study on reforming rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20140/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to urgently examine the development of a mortgage support system for people on low incomes in order to reduce long-term reliance on rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20141/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 to 193, inclusive, together.

The commitment in the programme for Government in relation to the development of a mortgage support system is being advanced in the context of housing policy. Housing supports in general are provided by local authorities but the Department provides income maintenance support where required in particular circumstances. Mortgage interest supplement provides income support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only.

The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. However, a significant number of people have come to rely on rent supplements for extended periods. I am anxious that all avenues are explored as regards ways of providing support for those on long-term rent supplementation including options to support them in securing home ownership. One of the measures introduced to address this is the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). Almost 13,000 tenants have been transferred from rent supplement scheme to RAS since 2005.

This and other measures are being considered in the context of overall housing policy, led by my colleague the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government. His Department already provides a range of housing supports through local government initiatives, including traditional social housing and RAS, both of which provide tenants with the benefit of Differential Rent. They also include shared ownership and affordable housing schemes. Any further initiatives in relation to mortgage support will be framed by that Department in the context of its "Delivering Homes — Sustaining Communities" housing policy statement and "Increasing Affordable Housing Supply" published in 2007. A public consultation on enhancement of the existing affordable housing mechanisms is now under way. I consider that the current range of housing supports, together with the enhancements that may emerge from the current public consultation in relation to affordable housing, provide the potential to meet long-term housing needs in an appropriate and sustainable manner.

With regard to commitments to review of the rent supplement scheme and the associated means test, significant changes in the means test for rent supplement were implemented last summer. These changes were designed to specifically facilitate people returning to work and those accepted as eligible for accommodation under RAS. Where a person, working up to 30 hours per week, has additional income in excess of the standard weekly rate of supplementary welfare allowance, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregard for means assessment purposes. This ensures that those returning to work or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity.

In addition, rent supplement may continue to be paid to a person who engages in full time employment, subject to their satisfying the improved means testing arrangements, as outlined above, and where they have been accepted as having a long term housing need under the RAS. These measures are positive steps in assisting tenants in achieving a long-term housing solution for their needs while also increasing the financial return from employment for those returning to work or moving to full-time employment. I intend to keep the rent supplement scheme under review, including the rent limits that apply within the scheme, and the Department will be working closely with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in that regard.