asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is satisfied with the present means thresholds used for assessment of certain categories of social welfare payments; and if she has any plans to revise these thresholds upwards in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Means Thresholds.
3.
The Commission on Social Welfare in their recent report recommended that a means threshold should be retained but applied uniformly to all applicants for social assistance. This matter will, of course, be considered in the context of the review of the social welfare system arising from the report of the commission, but it must be borne in mind that any upward revision of thresholds would involve additional expenditure.
Would the Minister not agree that assessment of means is probably one of the most contentious areas in the social welfare system? Is there any intention to alter the system, particularly having regard to cases where property is owned but not used? In assessment of value that is specifically excluded from assessment and a notional system of assessment is made. In relation to capital investment, would the Minister not agree that an old age pensioner's excluded sum of £200 is extremely small, particularly at present when it is put aside to cover funeral expenses? Should that allowance not be increased? Is there any intention to change the whole system in this respect? With regard to young people, and the benefit and privilege question, at present——
This would probably be more appropriate in a debate on the Estimate.
I accept that my question is a little drawn out, but this is a very broad area, as the Minister would agree. This is of as much concern to her, I am sure, as it is to us on this side of the House. In the case of a young person living at home, the reduction for board and lodgings, or benefit and privilege as it is officially described, means that very few get much social welfare assistance and many nothing at all. Could not more equity be established in such assessments?
The whole area of benefit and privilege has not been raised in this question. This refers only to the means threshold for certain categories. We discussed the question of benefit and privilege for young people in the House before and Deputies expressed concern about it. The problem is that to make a general change in that area we are talking about massive additional resources. To change the threshold system we are also talking about massive additional resources. People feel that both of these areas should be improved. People feel that the benefit and privilege for young people should be improved. This demands a great deal of extra resources. As I already said, the Commission on Social Welfare addressed itself to the question of the thresholds. I will be looking very carefully at what the commission has to say about it to see if changes can be made in that area. I caution Deputies that there is a problem in regard to resources, as I am sure they are aware.
May I ask the Minister——
I do not want to be restrictive with the Deputy and I hope I am not. Wide and all as the question is, it is governed by the fact that we cannot debate the whole question of social welfare at Question Time on a question.
I accept your advice, a Cheann Comhairle. I wish to ask the Minister, particularly in relation to elderly people, if she has any plan to alter the reserve of capital which is now £200 and which is excluded.
I would obviously have to include that in the general question of thresholds when we are considering it.