Vol. 455 No. 1
126 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the benefits under the aegis of his Department where separate means tests are applied; the plans, if any, he has for single means assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11651/95]
Means tests applied to social assistance payments fall into three broad categories. These are: unemployment assistance, pre-retirement allowance and supplementary welfare allowance; old age (non-contributory) pension, blind person's pension and carer's allowance; widow's and orphan's (non-contributory) pension, deserted wife's allowance, lone parent's allowance and prisoner's wife's allowance.
The variations between the three means tests occur in the treatment of capital and income from employment, where different levels of disregards and rates of assessment are applied across the various schemes. In addition, claimants of unemployment assistance living with their parents are assessed with the value of board and lodgings.
The introduction of a single means test is under review within my Department, with a view to introducing elements of standardisation where possible. However, the introduction of a single means test for all social welfare recipients could give rise to significant costs, particularly if implemented on the basis that existing recipients would not suffer any reduction in their payments. Therefore any changes to the existing arrangements must be considered in the light of budgetary considerations.
On a more general level, the introduction of greater simplicity in the whole area of means assessments is currently under review by an interdepartmental committee set up by the Government to develop a framework to provide an integrated approach to the administration, delivery and management of statutory income support services.
