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Dear Colleagues,

I would like to request your assistance in an Evaluation of Social Welfare
Benefit in Kind schemes which I am currently undertaking at the Policy
Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

In Ireland, the majority of the schemes operated by the Department of
Social, Community & Family Affairs (Govt. department for Social
Welfare/Security) have as their objective the direct income support of
clients through cash payments. There are some schemes, however, where the
benefit is delivered in kind rather than in cash. A number of these
schemes, collectively referred to as the Free Schemes provide to qualified
applicants:
· Free Travel
· Free Electricity/Gas Allowance
· Free TV Licence
· Free Telephone Allowance.

These schemes were originally designed to benefit mainly older people (over
age 65) in receipt of a social welfare type payment who were living alone
and required additional assistance. However, over the years, these schemes
have been developed and extended on an ad-hoc basis, which, in turn has led
to increasing pressure for further extensions. As a result, the schemes
have become increasingly expensive and complex. A more fundamental issue is
the underlying rationale for these types of schemes and their effectiveness
in overcoming poverty and social exclusion. 

I would be very interested to know if there are equivalent or similar types
of schemes in other countries and if any type of evaluation has been
carried out on them or if there is literature available that I can research. 

I am aware of the Food Stamps Programme in the US and would appreciate if
someone could provide me with details of evaluations done on this scheme. 

I would appreciate any other information, suggestions, etc. on this and
related topics. You can email me at [log in to unmask]

Many thanks for your assistance,

Orlaigh Quinn


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