Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2015
58. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 of 20 October 2015 and 52 of 4 November 2015, if she will revise rule 1(4) of Part 4 of Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 in order that parents who take career breaks for childcare purposes are not deemed to have voluntarily left employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39908/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRule 1(4) of Part 4 of Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides that the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) means test includes the value of all income and the value of all property, of which the person has directly or indirectly deprived himself or herself, in order to qualify for the receipt of SWA.
In the case referred to in the earlier Parliamentary Question, the application for rent supplement was refused following the decision of an officer that the applicant had voluntarily deprived themselves of income. The applicant has been advised of their right to appeal this decision.
No amendments to this legislative provision are being considered at this time and any change would need to be considered in a budgetary context.
