asked the Minister for Social Welfare the value for means assessment purposes now placed on two cows and two calves, and the value for such purposes placed in the years 1940 and 1950.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Means Assessment: Value in 1940 and 1950.
8.
In accordance with the relevant statutory provisions governing the calculation of means in the case of applicants for social assistance payments, the yearly value of advantage accruing to a person from property used and enjoyed, such as agricultural holdings, must be included in the assessment. This yearly value is determined by the officers of my Department in discharge of their statutory duties by reference to the facts, evidence and information which it is reasonably possible to obtain in each particular case and which appear to be sufficient for the purpose.
The estimated yearly profit on stock is not a fixed amount for general application but varies according to quality of land and stock, standard of husbandry and other relevant factors such as in the case of cows the method of disposal of milk, prices obtaining locally, etc. The assessment of means is based on the estimated average profit over a period of years. This method of assessment has been in operation for old age pensions for more than 45 years and for widows' and orphans' pensions since inception in 1935. It did not undergo any modification in 1940 or 1950, or since, for old age pensions or widows' and orphans' pensions purposes.
Prior to September, 1958, the assessment of means for unemployment assistance purposes, where such were derived from the occupation of land, was based on values for stock, crops, etc. adopted in 1940. Since September, 1958, up-to-date values, as are used for old age pensions and widows' and orphans' pensions purposes, have been applied to the assessment of means for unemployment assistance purposes.
Is it not a fact that the Parliamentary Secretary's Department has assessed the possession of two cows and two calves by a farmer at something in excess of £72?
There may be other factors in that case. If the Deputy gives me particulars of the case, I shall have it investigated. The claimant has a right to appeal on all these matters and the appeals officer is inclined to play them down.
The figures the Parliamentary Secretary has just given do not show that.
The officers of the Department have trebled and quadrupled the alleged value of a couple of cows and calves in the last couple of years. Is that not admitted by the Parliamentary Secretary in his reply?
I undertake to examine any case in which the Deputy will give me the details.
I am not talking of any case; I am talking of hundreds of cases.
Is it not a fact that in addition to the method of assessment being remodelled, so to speak, in 1958, its application has been intensified?
The Minister aims at uniformity of values in all social welfare systems where there is a means test. It would be most unfair to have one value for an old age pensioner and a lesser value for an able-bodied man.
That is what Bumble said.
(Interruptions.)