asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a British study The Reform of Social Security by Dilnot, Kay and Morris, published by the Institute of Fiscal Studies, page 44, estimated that the administrative cost of operating the means test for supplementary benefit was 10 pence for every pound paid out; and calculations, if any, he has done in respect of each of the means tested schemes or income thresholds operated by his Department or by agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Means Testing.
98.
No studies of the type mentioned by the Deputy have been carried out in respect of the administrative costs of means tests for schemes operated by my Department.
99.
asked the Minister for Health if he, or any body under his aegis, operates means tests or income thresholds for any purpose, for example tax exemption, eligibility for charge or benefit; in respect of such means test or income thresholds (a) the levels at which they operate and the period over which they are assessed; (b) if account is taken of the income of a spouse, and if so, the way in which this has been done; (c) if account is taken of the income of other household members; and if so, the way in which this has been done; (d) if account is taken of the costs of maintaining dependent children or other dependants; (e) if any income for example social welfare payments, or the imputed value of home ownership is ignored or discounted in any way; (f) if the value of property, real or personal, is included and if so, the basis on which it is included; (g) when the levels were last revised in line with inflation; and (h) if there is a distinction in the way the means test operates between a couple who are married and a couple living together but not married.
The attached table sets out the information sought by the Deputy.
|
Purpose |
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
(h) |
|
Medical Card |
Guidelines drawn up by Chief Executive Officers which vary depending on circumstances of individual,e.g. single/married, age., current income. |
Yes. All current income reckoned for purposes of guidelines. |
No |
Yes |
No |
Value of personal property not included, other property e.g. farm, house letting are included on basis of letting value |
1st January 1987 |
Yes |
|
Hospital Services Card |
£15,000 p.a. Income for previous income tax year |
No |
No |
No |
Only income reckoned for income tax is included |
Only in so far as it is assessed for tax purposes |
1st June 1987 |
Yes |
|
Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowances |
Max. Personal allowance £44.50 per week, current income |
Yes. A reduction of allowance equal to amount of current income |
No |
Yes |
No |
Value of personal property not included, other property e.g. farm, house letting are included on basis of letting value |
24th July 1987 |
Yes |
|
Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance |
Max. Personal allowance £44.80 per week, current income |
Yes. Reduction of allowance equal to amount of current income |
No |
Yes |
No |
Value of personal property not included, other property e.g. farm, house letting are included on basis of letting value |
24th July, 1987 |
Yes |
|
Blind Welfare Allowance |
Max. Personal allowance £15.20 a week. Income limit max. blind pension plus supplementary welfare allowance, current income |
Yes. A reduction of allowance equal to amount of current income |
No |
Yes |
No |
Value of personal property included, other property e.g. farm, house letting are included on basis of letting value |
24th July, 1987 |
Yes |
|
Mobility Allowance |
Income limit £44.50 a week, current income |
Yes. A reduction fo allwance equal to amount of current income |
No |
Yes |
No |
Value of personal property not included other property e.g. farm, house letting are included on basis of letting value |
24th July, 1987 |
Yes |
|
Motorised Transport Grant |
Max. grant £1,500 Income limit: average industrial wage, current income |
Yes. A reduction of allowance equal to amount of current income |
No |
Yes |
No |
Value of personal property not included. Other property e.g. farm, house letting are included on basis of letting value |
Annually |
Yes |