Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the measures agreed for her Department under the value for money review 2006-08; the projects which had the necessary changes made; when they are planned for completion; if a value for money review is planned after 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25863/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There are nine reviews, including two policy reviews, under the 2006 to 2008 round of reviews in the Department. These are:

Supplementary Welfare Allowance — Phase 2 (completed).

Progress has been made in implementing a number of the recommendations: Rent and mortgage interest supplement/Rental accommodation scheme. The review identified a number of issues relating to the incentives under the rent supplement scheme for those wishing to take up an employment opportunity. Budget 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 introduced a number of measures to address these issues.

Capital Assessment

The SWA Review recommended an easing of the means test for SWA purposes in the assessment of capital. Under the previous rules, the first €520 of capital was assessed at one-twentieth with the amount in excess of this amount assessed at one-tenth. Budget 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 provided for an improved capital assessment under which:

the first €5,000 of capital will be disregarded

the next €10,000 at €1 per €1,000

the next €25,000 at €2 per €1,000 excess of €40,000 at €4 per €1,000

Core Functions Project

The recommendations in the SWA Review complement the objectives of the Core Functions Project in relation to the transfer of the Community Welfare Service from the Health Service Executive to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The report itself offers a working template to support the transfer programme. Negotiations on the transfer are continuing.

Unemployment Benefit/Assistance (now known as Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance) for Atypical Workers (completed)

The main recommendations of the Review Group, particularly in relation to the introduction of part-time availability for jobseeker's benefit, will need to be considered in the context of a wider review of the unemployment schemes. However, there are some recommendations which can be progressed in advance of this wider review and these are currently being examined.

Review of One-Parent Family Payments

"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.

The Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion is continuing to develop an implementation plan to progress the non-income recommendations in tandem with the development of the new income support scheme in the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Discussions are ongoing with the relevant departments and agencies on issues including childcare, education, training and activation measures.

The Department, with the cooperation of FÁS, the Office of the Minister for Children and the Department of Education and Science, has recently tested the non-income activation proposals in Kilkenny and Coolock. These tests focused on identifying and resolving the practical and administrative issues that may arise in advance of any scheme being introduced. The outcome of the tests is currently being considered in the Department and will inform the further development of the proposals.

Review of the Medical Review and Assessment Service (MRAS)

Consultants carried out a review of the MRAS and made recommendations for reform in a report issued in 2006. A Project Board and project implementation team have been established to progress this reform agenda. Six new Medical Assessors (MAs) have been recruited since October 2007 to fill vacancies and one additional Medical Assessor will take up duty in September 2008. Recruitment of additional Medical Assessors is being organized at present. The number of medical examination centres in use by the Department is being streamlined. To date, seven examination centres have been closed and all others are reviewed periodically on the basis of demand and accessibility.

VFM Review of Disability Allowance

The terms of reference for the Disability Allowance Review were agreed with the Department of Finance in February 2008. A steering group, made up of officials from the relevant areas of the Department and the Department of Finance, has been set up to oversee the review. The steering group has begun its work and the review is expected to be completed by end-2008.

VFM Review of Information Services

Terms of reference for this Review were agreed with the Department of Finance in September 2007. Two meetings of the Steering Committee have been held and work is ongoing. The review is scheduled to be completed by end-2008.

Review of Social Welfare Payments to Carers

This Review has extended over several budgetary cycles as it was necessary to make significant additions and amendments to the text in order to reflect the changes to the schemes in recent years. The report will provide useful input in the development of the National Carers' Strategy.

Green Paper on Pensions (policy review)

The Green Paper on Pensions was published in October 2007, beginning a period of consultation that ended in May 2008. Over 350 submissions were received. A framework to address the pensions agenda over the longer-term will be developed by the end of the year.

Review of the Future of the Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) (policy review)

This Review, which is examining the future role and functions of the Agency, commenced in December 2007. It is expected that the review will be completed by mid-2008. Arrangements for the next round of reviews, which may cover the period 2009-2011, are being considered by the Value for Money and Policy Review Central Steering Committee.