Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
253. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of an person (details supplied) for jobseeker's allowance whose allowance has been reduced by over 50% because their uninhabitable home is being assessed as income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52601/13]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides that the yearly value of "property owned but not personally used or enjoyed" is assessable for means testing purposes. Such property includes houses and premises owned by a claimant which may or may not be put to commercial use. However, it does not include property such as the home or, for example, a premises used by the claimant in carrying out a business. Where a claimant considers that a decision on his or her claim is based on a market value of a property which is too high, he or she may appeal that decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The person concerned has been assessed with means, derived from the capital value of a property and self-employment. The Deputy's parliamentary question is being treated as a request for a review of the means of the person concerned and the papers are being referred to the Social Welfare Inspector for investigation. When the investigation is complete a decision will be given by a deciding officer and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
