§ Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in theOfficial Report the level of expenditure on income support for each social security office in Belfast for the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and from April to December 1989.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe available information is as follows:
Weekly Expenditure Social Security Office Supplementary pension/allowance Income Support 6 May 1987 31 May 1988 £ £ Andersontown 286,905.02 299,539.46 Corporation Street 371,623.59 438,914.83 Falls Road 282,316.97 327,328.97 Holywood Road 233,191.10 284,933.05 Knockbreda 158,308.59 160,504.29
Homes for persons in need Nursing Homes Statutory Private Statutory Private Number of Premises 126 97 — 118 Number of Places 3,988 1,285 — 3,353 Notes:
- 1. At 31 March 1989.
- 2. At 31 December 1989.
In addition, 40 voluntary homes for persons in need provide 1,271 places and 11 voluntary nursing homes provide 398 places.
Standard weekly charges for statutory homes for persons in need range from £171 to £198 depending on the location of the home and whether it is accommodating elderly, disabled, mentally ill or mentally handicapped people.
Residents who are unable to pay the standard minimum charge may pay a lesser amount, determined by their income. The minimum charge is £37.50 which is equivalent to the basic rate of retirement pension less the personal requirements allowance. A resident whose income is less than the basic rate of retirement pension may be entitled to income support to help with the charges.
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Weekly Expenditure Social Security Office Supplementary Pension/allowance Income Support 6 May 1987 31 May 1988 £ £ Shaftsbury Square 191,528.10 205,144.63 Shankill 122,455.27 142,669.75 Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry (5 per cent. sample)