Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014
384. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for benefits across all headings that were refused by her Department after completing a means assessment of the applicant that resulted in means exceeding the allowed limit for the particular scheme by an amount of €4.30 per week or less; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3842/14]
View answerMy Department operates a range of means tested schemes and these schemes are administered through a network of local and central offices throughout the country.
Means testing is an integral part of the administration process to decide if there is an entitlement or a continuing entitlement to a payment and the amount of that payment for a range of schemes and allowances.
The means of the claimant, including where appropriate means of a spouse/partner, are established following an assessment of the claimant’s financial position. A means test may be carried out by desk assessments on the information provided by the customer or may involve referral to a Social Welfare Inspector/Community Welfare Officer to carry out a home visit. Once the means data are gathered the means are determined by the Deciding Officer/Designated Person in line with the schemes means rules and are used to adjust the amount of the payment, if any, a claimant will receive, subject to all the other conditions of the scheme being satisfied.
The Department does not, however, collate data on its systems in relation to means excess amounts and is therefore unable to provide such information at this time.
