asked the Minister for Social Welfare the criteria for dealing with applicants for supplementary welfare allowances who are single, 18 years of age or over and living with their parents; the reason it is necessary for single adults living with parents to produce evidence of their parents' income; and if this practice is discriminatory and inappropriate.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
801.
One of the items of which, by statute, account must be taken in calculating the means of an applicant for supplementary welfare allowance is the value of benefit or privilege enjoyed by him. In the case of the persons in the category referred to in the question this item normally consists of free board and lodging. The annual value is assessed having regard to the circumstances and standard of living of the household and for this purpose it is necessary to have evidence of the parents' income. The assessment of the value of benefit or privilege in this manner achieves a degree of equity as between the children of affluent parents and those whose parents are in less fortunate circumstances. The procedure is not, therefore, considered to be discriminatory or inappropriate.