A NEW one-parent family allowance, reform of unemployment assistance and changes in the PRSI system are among the measures to be introduced in the Social Welfare Bill published yesterday.
The Bill gives effect to the measures announced by the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, in his speech the day after January's Budget statement. Mr De Rossa said yesterday that it contains "some of the most significant changes ever in the social welfare system, simplifying many aspects of what is a very complex system".
He said the measures would strengthen the rights of citizens and consolidate the "pro-work and pro-family policy direction started last year".
The new one-parent family payment would amalgamate the existing lone parent's allowance and deserted wives' benefit. It would bring about full equality between men and women, said Mr De Rossa, and would remove the concept of desertion from the social welfare system.
The Bill also allows people whose claims for supplementary allowance are refused by the health boards to make a further appeal to the social welfare appeals office.
Full PRSI cover is to be extended to community employment workers and full child dependant allowances will be paid up to 13 weeks after long-term unemployed people take up employment. At this stage, such people may qualify for the family income supplement, the thresholds of which are being increased by £10 a week.
The Bill also introduces the £500 grant on the birth of twins, and again at ages four and 21; a further £2 a week child benefit increase; an increase of £5 a week in the carers' allowance and improvements in means testing criteria
Fianna Fail's social welfare spokesman, Mr Joe Walsh, last night welcomed the establishment of the right to appeal to the social welfare appeals office.
He had proposed such a reform in a private members' Bill last November, he said.