Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the persons from whom deductions are being made from social security benefits towards their rent and rates have received special needs grants in each year since the scheme of deductions was introduced.
§ Mr. Concannon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th June 1976, Vol. 912, c. 816], gave the following information:
It is not possible to provide the information in the form requested because some people may have received more than one special needs grant. However, the number of these grants paid to people from whose social security benefits deductions were being made in respect of rent and rates debts are as follows:
Years Numbers 1972 … … 336 1973 … … 1,344 1974 … … 1,045 1975 … … 404 1976 (to May) … … 163 TOTAL … … 3,292
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many 62W persons in Housing Executive dwellings in Northern Ireland are now paying for rent and rates by deductions from social security benefits; and how many are not making any payments.
§ Mr. Concannon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th June 1976, Vol. 912, c. 816], gave the following information:
At 3rd June 1976 about 1,700 Housing Executive tenants were paying off arrears by deductions from social security benefits. At the same date some 4,500 cases were being processed. The exact number of tenants who are not making any payments is not at present available, but I understand that the Housing Executive will be carrying out shortly a complete survey to ascertain the latest rent debt position.