asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will consider an increase in the basic figure for rent allowances because of the unjust system which exists in this regard at the present time.

When the rent allowance scheme was introduced in 1982 the weekly income limits for entitlement to the maximum allowance were fixed at £70 in the case of a married person and £40 where the tenant was single. These limits allowed the maximum allowance to be paid to a person in receipt of a contributory old age pension in respect of himself and an adult dependant aged 66 or over or to a single person receiving this pension.

The income limits have been adjusted each year to take account of the annual increases in pension rates and the present limits of £90 and £51, respectively, still allow the categories of pensioner mentioned to receive the maximum rent allowance.

I recently made amending regulations increasing the limits to £93 and £53, respectively, from mid-July when the budget increases in pension rates come into effect.

Would the Minister say if it is necessary for a pensioner to make application for the rent allowance? Does an individual pensioner have to make application to qualify for benefit?

I believe so.