asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will investigate the position regarding the manner in which single persons are assessed for unemployment assistance with a view to modifying or eliminating some of the existing regulations on assessment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance Test.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the assessment of the yearly value of free or partially-free board and lodgings in the case of applications for unemployment assistance from single persons residing in their parents' homes. Deciding officers and appeals officers are obliged by law to take this factor into account in the assessment of means in such cases.
The legislation does not specify the method by which the value of board and lodgings should be calculated. Each case is decided on its merits having regard to the standard of living of the household in which the applicant resides and also the number of persons residing in the household. The system is kept under constant review and changes are made from time to time with a view to improvement. I intend to continue this process of periodic review and to make whatever changes are warranted from time to time.
Would the Minister agree that it could be very embarrassing to a person of, say, 20 or 23 years of age, to find, on applying for unemployment assistance, that he is not eligible because of his having board and lodgings with his parents? This is something that should be corrected immediately. I have had one case of a young chap who lost his employment. He did not have sufficient stamps to qualify him for benefit and he was allowed only 35p per week assistance by reason of his having board and lodgings at home.
One's sympathy is with any such individual but there is a statutory basis of assessment in such cases and legislative change would be necessary to alter that process. The assessment of the value of board and lodgings is something that is open to a certain amount of review and control. In the type of case the Deputy cities, that is, of somebody being awarded 33p per week, obviously the quality of the lodgings and the amount of income in the home were the factors in arriving at that figure. A whole study of this system, of the concept of poverty and of the methods used in determining it, is being carried out by an analyst attached to the Department of Finance. It is expected that a report will be available shortly and that the means of assessment will be reviewed in the light of that report. When that happens it may be possible to consider the kind of matter raised by the Deputy.
Would the Minister accept that it is degrading for a person of, say, 20 years of age to be told that he must depend on his parents for his keep irrespective of his means?
It would be much more acceptable if that sort of situation did not arise but we are not living in an ideal society. If it were possible financially to move away from such a situation it would be desirable to do so but under the present system those who it has been determined are living in the poorest circumstances and who are suffering physical deprivation by way of lack of adequate food or clothes are entitled to the full amount of assistance. The wider question of a person's dignity is one which is not perhaps sufficiently covered by the present situation. The direct basic needs of welfare and of maintaining life and limb are being considered under this scheme.