Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
301. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on the rule for the assessment of second properties for applicants of farm assist; the way this rule is applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7918/23]
View answerThe system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home such as a second property) belonging to the claimant and his or her partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.
For Farm Assist, and most other social assistance schemes, the first €20,000 of capital is fully disregarded, the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
The value of a claimant’s family home is not assessable for means assessment purposes.
If a second property is let, the owner is assessed with the capital value of the property, and not with the income from the letting i.e. the rental income.
Means tests are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years, including an expansion to the list of agri-environmental schemes that qualify for a disregard to Farm Assist, and an increase in this disregard. I have also committed to a broad review of means testing in the Department during 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
