Vol. 571 No. 1
1343 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has plans to increase the earning income limit for a person on deserted wives' allowance; the current limit a person in receipt of this allowance is entitled to earn; and her plans for increasing the amount which can be earned without affecting the allowance. [19834/03]
For claims to deserted wife's benefit made on or after 31 August 1992, the earnings limit for entitlement is currently set at £10,000 or €12,697.38 a year gross earnings. Where earnings are in excess of this sum there may be an entitlement to a reduced rate of payment of the benefit, provided earnings do not exceed €17,776.33 a year gross.
The scheme was closed to new applicants in January 1997 on the introduction of the one parent family payment scheme. This means that deserted wives who have dependent children are treated in the same manner as all other lone parents with children. Lone parents are now encouraged to maximise their income from different sources. The means test for the current scheme provides for the exemption of earnings and maintenance payments.
With regard to employment, lone parents may earn up to €146.50 per week without affecting their payment. Earnings above this limit are assessed at 50%, up to a maximum of €293 per week. There are also transitional arrangements in place whereby a lone parent who exceeds the earnings threshold may retain 50% of his or her payment for a further 12 months. Lone parents are also eligible to avail of the full range of employment support schemes operated by my Department.
There are no plans to change the earnings limits for persons still in receipt of deserted wives benefit.
