Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding core social welfare payments following the supplementary budget of 7 April 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12309/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The rates of core social welfare payments were not reduced in the supplementary budget, other than in the case of 18 and 19 year old recipients of jobseekers allowance and basic supplementary welfare allowance.

In order to incentivise 18 and 19 year old jobseekers to avail of education and training opportunities, and try to avoid them become welfare dependent from a young age, the personal rate of payment for jobseekers allowance and basic supplementary welfare allowance will be reduced to €100 per week with effect from May 2009. This change will not apply to 18 and 19 year old recipients of jobseekers benefit. Nor will it apply to those receiving an increase in their payment for dependent adults or children.

As savings had to be achieved to keep the welfare budget at a level the State could afford, the Christmas Bonus will not be paid this year. The alternative to this measure was to reduce social welfare rates across the board. A number of changes are also being made to rent supplement as follows: entry to rent supplement will be restricted to applicants who have been existing tenants for six months or who have been placed on a local authority housing list following a full assessment of their housing needs; the minimum contribution for rent and mortgage interest supplement will be increased by €6 per week to €24, and maximum rent limits will be reduced as appropriate by up to 10% for all new tenancies or renewals while all existing rent supplements will be reduced by 8%.