Vol. 458 No. 2
29 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to change the term, "deserted wife's allowance", in situations where judicial separations are obtained by agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16756/95]
40 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to discontinue dependency terms such as "deserted wife's benefit/allowance" and "prisoner's wife's allowance"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16747/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 40 together. It is intended to change the terms referred to in the Social Welfare (No. 3) Bill which will be published shortly.
31 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare the discussions, if any, he has had with any organisations concerning an expansion of the carer's allowance; his intentions regarding the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16702/95]
The carer's allowance is a social assistance scheme which provides an income maintenance payment to people providing elderly or incapacitated pensioners with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below certain limits.
The allowance was introduced in 1990 and has been improved and expanded progressively over the years. For example, in 1994 the means test was eased with the introduction of a weekly disregard of £100 in respect of the earnings of the carer's spouse. This amount was increased to £150 a week this year and the scheme was further expanded with the inclusion of carers who look after recipients of occupational pensions.
32 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current status of his review of entitlement to old-age contributory pension for self-employed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16701/95]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the regulations dealing with the payment of refunds to the self-employed under the social insurance system, which is under review within my Department. The review is at an advanced stage and will be completed as soon as possible.
33 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Welfare the review, if any, he is undertaking regarding the way capital is assessed for means-testing purposes for pensions and social welfare assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16722/95]
The means tests applied in determining entitlement to social assistance payments include an assessment of the value of any capital or investments held by the applicant. The purpose of this assessment is to ascribe a notional value to the capital owned and, at present, different methods of assessment apply in the various social assistance schemes.
