Vol. 463 No. 1
10 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with means testing arrangements for schemes funded by his Department in view of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on means testing arrangements; if he supports a reform of the system to the benefit of the claimant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4647/96]
39 Mr. P. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with means testing arrangements for schemes funded by his Department in view of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on means testing arrangements; if he supports a reform of the system to the benefit of the claimant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4646/96]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questins Nos. 10 and 39 together.
The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to the value for money examination of means testing is being considered within my Department at present. This report examined means testing arrangements in the case of schemes relating to a number of Departments, including the Department of Health.
The report identifies inefficiencies in the administration of means testing and it also identifies impediments to harmonisation. It makes a number of recommendations on how efficiencies might be achieved, including the possible use of a single means testing agency.
It is clear that any detailed response to this report will involve interdepartmental co-ordination and, as the report makes clear, there are practical problems in regard to implementation of some of the recommendations.
In regard to schemes funded by my Department, I am satisfied that the administrative arrangements for operating the current means testing arrangements operate equitably.
