Vol. 459 No. 3
157 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in a full year for each £10 increase in the £45 disregard in respect of income earned by the spouse or co-habitee for social assistance recipients. [18063/95]
The disregard of £45 a week referred to by the Deputy is the working spouse's allowance which applies where the spouse of an applicant for unemployment assistance is insurably employed for four days or more in the week. A reduced allowance of £30 applies where the spouse is insurably employed for three days or less. The weekly allowance, together with an allowance for travel expenses to and from work, is deducted from the weekly earnings and half of the remainder is allocated to the applicant as means.
It is estimated that if the £45 disregard was increased by £10, additional costs in excess of some £3 million in a full year would arise.
