Question.
Can you please give details on the new rates for hospital charges that were announced recently?

Answer.
From 1st January 2005 the charge for attending Accident and Emergency increases from €45 to €55. If You are a Medical Card
holder or have a letter of referral from your doctor you do not have to pay this charge. The charge for in-patient service
in a public ward has also increased from €45 to €55 a day (subject to a maximum of €550, i.e. 10 days, in any 12 month period)
If you stay in two or more hospitals in the course of the year and your stay exceeds 10 days in hospital you should bring
this to the attention of the last hospital you attend. Everyone is entitled to public in-patient services regardless of their
income but subject to the statutory charge mentioned above. There are a number of groups who do not have to pay the statutory
charge such as medical card holders, women receiving maternity services, children up to the age of 6 weeks and children
suffering from prescribed long-term illnesses. In cases of undue hardship a Health Board may provide the service free of
charge. The charges for private and semi-private accommodation in public hospitals have also increased by 25%.

Answer

Since August 1st 2004, if you qualify for the Household Benefits Package from the Department of Social and Family Affairs
(DSFA) you will be notified that it has been awarded. This notice incorporates your free television licence. This will serve
as a 'lifetime' licence for as long as you stay entitled to the Benefits Package Scheme. If you are getting the Household
Benefits Package since before August 2004 a 'lifetime' licence will be issued to you once your current licence falls due
for renewal. Some people have received renewal notices for their TV licence from An Post. In this case: Telephone the
DSFA Household Benefits Section at LoCall 1890 500 000 or (01) 7043000 Give them your pension/payment claim number and your
TV Licence Number. Ignore renewal notices or final demands from An Post If a TV licence inspector should call to your house
before your 'lifetime' licence arrives, refer them to the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Pension Office in Sligo.
The current situation is due to the changeover from annual licences, issued by An Post, to 'lifetime' licences issued by the
DSFA. It should not recur after this year.

I understand that the income thresholds for the Family Income Supplement have been increased in the Budget. Can you please
give the details?

Answer.

Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly payment for families at work on low pay, including lone parent families. To be
eligible: You must be working 19 or more hours per week (38 hours a fortnight) and the work must be expected to last for
at least 3 months. (Back to Work Allowance, Job Initiative, Social Economy Programme and Part-time Job Incentive are
eligible for FIS, Community Employment is not.) Where your spouse/partner is also working, your working hours can be combined
in order to satisfy this condition.You must have one or more children (under age 18, or aged 18 to 22 in full time education)
living with you and you must be supporting them. Your average weekly family income must be below the appropriate income limit
for your family size. Assessable income is net family income. It includes most social welfare payments, but not Child
 Benefit. As of January 2005 the weekly income limit is increased by €39. The new weekly limits are as follows:
If you have 1 child and your family income is less than €446.00, for 2 children and your family income is less than €472.
00, for 3 children and your family income is less than €497.00, for 4 children and your family income is less than €522.00.
FIS is calculated as 60% of the difference between your average weekly family income and the income limit for your family
size. The minimum payment is still €20.00. It is paid for 52 weeks while you remain employed for at least 19 hours per week
(38 hours a fortnight). At the end of the 52 weeks you should re-apply if you think you are still eligible. Claim forms or
more information are available from your local Social Welfare Office, our office in Corduff Tel: 8210552 or the Mobile
Information Unit. Tel; 0879926232.