Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021
351. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to take steps to reform and amend the means test for the blind person's pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25373/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBlind Pension is one of a range of means-tested social assistance payments. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse / partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. The means assessment reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most.
Cash income that is assessed includes any income from employment or self-employment, income from a social security pension from another country and maintenance payments.
Blind Pension recipients can earn up to €120 per week from employment or self-employment without their payment being affected, while weekly earnings between €120 and €350 are assessed at 50%. A €20 increase in this disregard was announced as part of Budget 2021 and will take effect from next month, meaning that the first €140 per week from employment or self-employment will be disregarded. This income disregard aims to ensure that people with disabilities can participate in work while retaining some or all of their social welfare payment.
Capital assessed as part of the means test includes all monies held in financial institutions or otherwise, the market value of shares, as well as houses and premises owned by a claimant which may or may not be put to commercial use. The family home is never assessed as part of the means test, regardless of who is the legal owner.
For Blind Pension, the first €20,000 of capital from any sources is not assessed, the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, while any amount above €40,000 is assessed at four euro per thousand.
Any changes to means assessments for schemes, including the Blind Pension, will be considered within the overall budgetary context.
