Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the rules governing the retention of secondary benefit have changed; and the eligibility of a person on a one parent family allowance to retain rent supplement after taking up a community employment scheme. [18856/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The conditions for those taking up either an employment or training opportunity were subject to a number of improvements in 2007 which included the replacement of the retention arrangements under the rent supplement scheme. Under the current arrangements a person participating on community employment (CE) scheme can continue to receive rent supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules. Where a person has additional income in excess of the standard supplementary welfare allowance weekly rate of payment, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded 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.