I have recently asked my Department to carry out a comprehensive examination of the arrangements for assessment of capital, particularly in so far as they apply to SSIAs, and I will consider what action needs to be taken on foot of it. I expect that this examination will be concluded in the near future.
It is not possible to readily quantify the number of persons in receipt of social welfare payments who are holders of SSIA accounts. This is because the source of any capital held is not maintained electronically on the relevant payment systems.
In assessing means for social assistance purposes, account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property. Capital may include stocks and shares of every description, which are assessed according to their current market value, savings certificates, bonds or national instalment savings, which are assessed according to their current market value, and money invested in a bank, building society, and so on. In assessing the value of capital, however, significant disregards are applied. The first €12,697.38 of capital is disregarded and the assessment is on a sliding scale for amounts above this. In the case of old age pensions, for example, a single pensioner with capital of up to €20,315.80 qualifies for a full pension while a single pensioner with capital of up to €68,565.84 qualifies for a minimum pension. These amounts are doubled in the case of married pensioners.
