asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the measures taken to alleviate hardship because of the introduction of the EC equality directive are to be continued indefinitely; if not, when the new scale of payments will come into effect; what these will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

27.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends continuing payment of the £20 per week transitional payment arising from the EC equality directive after November 1987; if not, if he will outline his intentions to alleviate any unnecessary hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

36.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is intended to extend the cushion payment for those who lost out as a result of the EC equality directive beyond December of this year; the plans, if any, he has for further assistance for people whose income dropped as a result of equalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 4, 27 and 36 together.

The temporary measures introduced in November 1986 to assist persons who suffered reductions in payment as a consequence of the new dependency arrangements brought into force at that time are due to expire in mid-November 1987 and no provision was made in the 1987 Estimates for their continuation beyond that. I am reviewing the operation of the present arrangements and will be advising the Government on the results of this review. The question of extending these arrangements beyond November 1987 would be a matter for consideration in that context.

Is the Minister in favour of the continuation of these measures?

As I have said, I shall make that judgment when the review is completed. The review is in progress at present. I recognise there are circumstances where the termination of such an arrangement could cause difficulties.

First, when does the Minister expect to have the results of the review? Secondly, what would be the cost for the current year if the measures were extended?

It would depend, of course, on the number of recipients. The estimated cost of the alleviating measures for the year 1987 to mid-November is £14 million. Obviously it would depend on the numbers who would be seeking alleviating measures at that stage because, as the Deputy is aware, this matter changes daily.

There is concern as to whether the measures would be continued and as the payment for the current year would only need to be extended from mid-November to the end of December, does the Minister agree that it would take a relatively small amount to provide for this? Could he give a commitment that this will be done?

I will give a commitment that this matter will be reviewed, sympathetically from my point of view.

I also asked when the findings of the review will be made known.

As soon as the results are available.

How soon?

I could not say at this stage when the results will be known. It is a matter that changes and to deal with it at present might cost much more than at a later stage.

Does the Minister accept that the need for these alleviating provisions arises out of particular hardship because of the regulations introduced which have left approximately upwards of 20,000 families much worse off? The vast majority still need assistance from the State to make up the shortfall.

I accept that there is hardship and the question will be reviewed later in the year.

We know that mid-November is the relevant date. When a decision is made, will the Minister give an assurance that it will be well in advance of that date so that all persons concerned will be clearly and adequately informed well in advance?

Yes.