Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will support a matter (details supplied). [37744/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in the context of the current economic circumstances it has been necessary for the Government to take a number of steps to reduce overall public expenditure in order to restore order and stability in the public finances.

Increases ranging between 185% and 200% have been provided in Child Benefit between 2001 and 2008. Total expenditure on the scheme has increased by almost 300% during the same period.

The Government has decided to limit overall expenditure on this scheme by lowering the upper age limit that currently applies from 19 years to 18 years. The impact of this measure is being phased in, with payment for existing and future qualifying children being halved from January 2009 and payment stopping from the 18th birthday from January 2010.

However, it is recognised that any changes in child benefit entitlements may have implications for family budgets. Accordingly, in order to protect the more vulnerable in society, special alleviating measures are being introduced for those in low income and social welfare dependent households.

A compensatory payment of €15 is being provided during 2009 and 2010 for any week during which those affected by this measure are receiving a social welfare payment which includes an increase in respect of the 18 year old child or a family income supplement payment which includes payment in respect of that child. In addition, households affected by the measure who also qualify for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance will receive an extra payment of €215, bringing the total payment in respect of such a child to €520.

These compensatory measures will mean that social welfare families or low income earners with children between the ages of 18 and 19 years will, in general, be protected from the effects of this measure, as they will receive an additional €19.15 a week between the weekly compensatory payment and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an application for rent supplement by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [38145/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, which is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, provides for the payment of rent supplement to eligible people whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs.

The Health Service Executive has advised that it has no record of a claim for rent supplement from the person concerned. It has further advised that she should make application for rent supplement to the local community welfare officer who will assess her entitlement to a supplement.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the basis for the projected 2% decline in deserted wife's benefit in the 2009 Estimate over the 2008 Estimate. [37866/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Deserted Wife's Benefit is a payment made to a woman deserted by her husband. Entitlement to payment is based on Social Insurance contributions paid by the wife or her husband. Deserted Wife's Benefit scheme was discontinued for new applications with effect from January 1997 when One Parent Family Payment was introduced. However, people who were in receipt of this scheme at that stage continued to receive their payment, and will continue to receive such payment, as long as they satisfy the conditions of entitlement.

The projected €2.1 million (2%) decline in Deserted Wife's Benefit in the 2009 Estimate over the 2008 Estimate reflects the declining client base for these schemes as current recipients reach pension age or otherwise lose their entitlement through a change in their circumstances.