‘Safety net’ allowance scheme of €700m to be reformed

A €700 MILLION welfare allowance scheme which provides a safety net for people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is to be reformed, it was confirmed yesterday.

Social Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan said a report into the 30-year-old Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme (SWA) recommended a more streamlined delivery of the vital income supports.

More than €700m was spent last year on the scheme which provides 110,000 people with the supplementary welfare allowance payment each week for rent supplement, heat, travel, urgent needs and basic weekly payments.