Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
735. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that her Department is asking people who received an award under the Caranua Scheme to supply a letter from Caranua confirming the date and amount of the award, despite the fact that they signed a non-disclosure clause; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13849/24]
View answerSocial Welfare legislation provides for the manner in which a person's means are assessed for social assistance schemes. In summary, any income or capital, with certain exceptions and disregards, belonging to the person and his / her spouse, partner or cohabitant, is assessed for social welfare means testing purposes.
Social Welfare legislation provides for the disregard of certain compensation awards and ex gratia payments when assessing the means of a person. These disregards include, for example, all income derived from payments awarded by the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and payments made in relation to disability caused by Thalidomide.
Documentary evidence may be required to determine if compensation or court awards are in fact those included in the list of payments to be disregarded in accordance with Social Welfare legislation. All supporting documentation required for the purposes of determining entitlement to any payment is treated in accordance with the Department's data protection obligations.
If the Deputy has a specific case in mind in relation to this particular compensation scheme I would be happy to take the details and arrange to have it examined.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
