Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
231. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy her Department has regarding wages derived from a limited company and how they are assessed and treated in relation to means tested social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6732/24]
View answer232. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy her Department has regarding profits held in a limited company and how they are treated and assessed in relation to means tested social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6733/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.
The rules governing the assessment of means for the purposes of means tested Social Welfare payments are given under Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). These rules provide for the assessment of all capital and income, with some legislated exceptions.
Distributed profits or drawings from a limited company are assessable in the means test. Wages paid to a claimant from a limited company (and/or their spouse/partner if relevant) are assessable income, however most schemes will disregard a proportion of earnings.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
