HC Deb 31 January 1991 vol 184 cc582-3W
Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to give discretion to social fund officers, during spells of severe cold weather, to make cold weather payments in cases of need.

Mr. Hanley

This is not in accordance with the regulation of the scheme.

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the last occasion on which cold weather payments were made by the Department of Health and Social Services; how many recipients received payments; and what was the total cost to the Department of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Hanley

Cold weather payments totalling £233,194 were made to 46,646 people in respect of the winter of 1986–87.

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to grant cold weather payments to (i) pensioners, (ii) those in receipt of income support and (iii) those in receipt of other benefits.

Mr. Hanley

There are no plans to alter the present scheme which provides for a payment of £5 for any period of seven consecutive days during which the average temperature is 0 deg. Celsius or below. Those eligible are people getting income support which includes one of the pensioner or disability premiums or who have a child under five living with them. People aged 60 or over can have savings of up to £1,000 without the payment being affected. For other claimants the corresponding limit is £500.