Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2018
553. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to exclude a payment (details supplied) from the means test for social welfare payments in view of the nature of the payment involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46622/18]
View answerMy Department operates a range of means-tested social assistance payments. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse/partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. Social welfare legislation also provides that certain forms of income are disregarded in this means assessment. In this regard, a number of compensation and other payments are currently disregarded for means-testing purposes. These include payments made by the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal, the Residential Institutions Statutory Board, and the Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme, among others.
The Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors Service delivers funding and support to survivors of the Conflict/Troubles on behalf of the Executive Office of Northern Ireland. They have remit to assist all victims and survivors identified in the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 , providing support to those who have been injured (physically or psychologically), those who care for people who have been injured, and those who have been bereaved by the Conflict/Troubles.
I have recently approved the introduction of a disregard for payments from Northern Ireland Victims & Survivors Service for social welfare means testing purposes. My officials have received sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to progress this. Regulations to implement this disregard are currently being drafted and will be signed in due course.
