asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and local authorities have multiple and different criteria for means testing; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that needy people frequently have to go through means testing five or six times to get their individual entitlements; and if in view of the administrative inefficiency clearly present he will take immediate steps to designate one Minister to be responsible for a means test code which would apply to all State Departments and agencies.
Written Answers. - Means Testing.
52.
I am aware that various schemes administered by Departments and local authorities involve assessment of means. In the time available, it is not possible for me to determine whether the current arrangements give rise to administrative inefficiency. If the Deputy would retable the question for answer in at least one month's time, I would hope to be in a position to give a more detailed reply.