Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1460. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position on the means test for jobseeker's allowance for adult children living at home with their parents; if the income of the parents is a factor in the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16355/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial welfare legislation provides that where a person under 25 years of age claims jobseeker’s allowance or supplementary welfare allowance and is living with a parent or step-parent in the family home, an assessment is made of the yearly value of any benefit and privilege enjoyed by that person by virtue of residing there.
The value of the benefit and privilege assessed is based on the level of the parents' assessable income. Assessable parental income is calculated as gross income less tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge, superannuation and union dues. Rent or mortgage repayments are then disregarded, where appropriate, and, finally, a parental allowance of €600 per week per couple plus €30 per week in respect of each additional dependent child is also disregarded. The balance is assessed at 34% and this constitutes the weekly value of benefit and privilege to the claimant. This weekly value is deducted from the maximum personal rate applicable to determine the level of weekly entitlement. Where the level of entitlement as calculated is at least €1 per week and less than €40 per week, a minimum rate of €40 per week is payable.
There are some exceptions to this rule. No assessment is made where a son or daughter and his or her spouse/civil partner/partner is living with his/her parents. No assessment is made where a son or daughter has a child dependant and is living with his/her parents. In addition, where a person returns to the parental home having had an independent life elsewhere in Ireland or abroad for an appreciable length of time e.g. at least three years, the assessment in this case is €7 per week.
It should be noted that once a person reaches 25 years of age, the value of any benefit and privilege is no longer regarded as means.
