Written Answers Nos. 458-478
458. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding efforts to resolve the issue of providing a pension scheme for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44164/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors. This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the supervisors.
Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.
At the start of April, agreement was reached with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on proposals to resolve the long-standing issue. These proposals include a financial package.
I am confident these proposals are a solid basis for progressing and resolving this complex issue. Discussions on these proposals are ongoing between my Department and the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. The unions have made a number of observations, and these are currently being examined by my officials in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and other relevant Government Departments.
My officials are continuing to progress this matter as a priority, and I would hope that these discussions can reach a conclusion in the near future.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
459. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing more flexibility for participants over 55 years of age that are currently engaged in a community employment scheme given that at present they are unable to have their contracts renewed. [43207/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long- term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities. The programme aims to improve a person’s opportunities to return to the labour market. Participation on CE is for a temporary fixed-term.
CE placements are intended to be temporary and subject to time limits. This is to ensure the continued availability of places on CE schemes for a broad range of long term unemployed candidates.
In general, all CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for 1 year. However, CE participants, working towards a major educational award, can seek to extend participation by up to two years to enable them to reach the required qualification standards.
There is already additional flexibility as regards participation on CE for those aged 55 and over. For example, those over 55 years of age can remain on CE for up to three years, while CE participants who are aged over 55 and commenced on CE prior to the introduction of the changes in 2017 continue to be eligible to stay on CE for six consecutive years.
CE participants over the age of 62 are allowed to participate on a continuous basis up to the State Pension age on the CE Service Support Stream (SSS), subject to certain criteria In total, 10% of CE placements are available under the service support stream and Department officials continue to encourage take-up of this CE stream.
CE participants’ contracts were extended during the course of the pandemic, which meant that many contracts extended well beyond the time limits mentioned above. As the economy re-opens and the public health restrictions unwind, these COVID-related contract extensions will start to be phased out from the end of October as CE schemes return to providing more standard supports to long term unemployed people and services to communities.
I will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services while ensuring that places continue to be made available to those who are long term unemployed.
460. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the eligibility criteria for jobseeker’s allowance in order that adult children living with their parents can be assessed as individuals regardless of household income in order for them be eligible for the workplace experience programme and similar schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43216/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobseeker's Allowance is a means tested payment for people who are unable to obtain full time employment and satisfy the schemes qualifying conditions. The revised estimated expenditure for the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme in 2021 is approximately €1.64 billion.
Social welfare legislation provides that where a person aged under 25 year 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. 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 children 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.
No assessment is made where a son or daughter and his or her spouse / civil partner / partner is living a parent or step-parent in the family home. In addition, where a person returns to the parental home having lived independently for at least three years, the assessment in this case is €7 per week.
Jobseekers of any age who are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, regardless of the rate of payment including where there is an assessment of any benefit and privilege, and is unemployed for at least 6 months may be eligible for the Work Experience Programme. Participants on the programme receive a weekly rate of €306.
Any change to the assessment of means for jobseeker’s allowance and supplementary welfare allowance claimants who live in the parental home would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
461. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has utilised the services of organisations (details supplied) at any time from 1 January 2015 to date; if so, the expenditure costs related to same; the purpose of any such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43246/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has utilised the services of the Common Purpose Ireland but not Common Purpose UK.
Below in tabular format, and in chronological order, are details of the Department’s expenditure related to the period from 1st January 2015 to 7th September 2021 together with a description of the purpose for each engagement.
|
Date |
Purpose of engagement |
Amount € |
|
26/01/2015 |
Focus Leader programme |
2,800 |
|
06/08/2015 |
Limerick Navigation programme |
3,500 |
|
18/11/2015 |
Meridian Leadership Programme |
3,000 |
|
15/07/2016 |
Limerick Navigation programme |
1,000 |
|
05/10/2016 |
Meridian programme 2016/2017 |
3,000 |
|
16/01/2017 |
Pitstop programme 2016/2017 |
7,500 |
|
24/04/2017 |
Common Purpose Focus 2017 |
4,000 |
|
28/04/2017 |
Pitstop programme |
7,500 |
|
15/01/2018 |
Pitstop programme |
7,500 |
Staff from my Department attended a number of Common Purpose Ireland programmes between 2015 and 2018 as part of the Department's focus on leadership development. Common Purpose offered a unique peer-to-peer experiential learning approach which aimed to broaden leadership perspectives, with participants from both the public and private sectors.
462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment will be reinstated in the case of a person (details supplied) who received no payment this week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43253/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been in receipt of a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment since 25/04/2019 whilst his application for Illness Benefit (IB) dated 24/04/2019 was pending. The application for IB was disallowed as well as subsequent applications for Disability Allowance on 02/09/2020 and 12/05/2021 and Invalidity Pension on 10/05/2021.
In line with standard practice, a review of the SWA claim was undertaken in the case of the person concerned on 05/07/2021. The person concerned was asked to provide relevant documentation in order to complete this review. On 03/08/2021 the person concerned was informed in writing by a Designated Officer that his SWA payment was being withdrawn as he had failed to provide the necessary documentation and he would receive his last payment on 26/08/2021.
If the person concerned provides the documentation requested his claim will be reviewed. Alternatively, he can make an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office setting out the grounds for his appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
463. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer’s allowance review application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43270/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of both applications was examined and the deciding officer decided that the evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified of these decisions, the reason for them and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review, submitting additional evidence in support.
CA was awarded in respect of her father 7 September 2021 with effect from 27 May 2021. The first payment will issue 23 September 2021. Arrears due will issue shortly.
The evidence submitted in respect of her mother was examined and the original decision remains unchanged.
The person concerned was notified 7 September 2021 of these decisions, the reason for them and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
464. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position for mature students returning to full-time education who wish to also keep claiming for social welfare credits towards their pension as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43278/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary purpose of credited employment contributions is to preserve the continuity of a person’s insurance record during periods when they are unable to work and pay social insurance contributions in the normal way for reasons including illness or unemployment.
Similar to other schemes operated by the Department, there are qualifying conditions which must be met before a person can be allocated credited employment contributions. In order to qualify for credited employment contributions, absences from work would have to arise due to notified incapacity for work, proven unemployment, or periods during which the person was in receipt of certain other social welfare payments. From the limited information provided it may be that the person concerned voluntarily left employment to attend third-level education. If this is the case the person may not meet the criteria to qualify for credited employment contributions.
Persons under the pensionable age of 66 who cease to be covered by compulsory social insurance either as an employee or as a self-employed person may opt to become insured on a voluntary basis and pay voluntary contributions provided certain contribution conditions are satisfied. Voluntary contributions act to maintain a person’s established social insurance record in respect to eligibility for State pensions in the future.
The voluntary contributions section in my Department can be contacted via e-mail to volcons@welfare.ie should the person concerned wish to enquire as to her eligibility to become a voluntary contributor.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
465. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason State registry offices are only allowing ten guests at civil ceremonies in view of the current health guidelines allowing 100 guests at weddings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43285/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the current health guidelines of 100 guests which applies to weddings relates to the social gathering following the marriage ceremony. A civil marriage ceremony is a distinct legal undertaking, with the minimum requirement for valid marriage being the attendance of the couple, the solemniser or civil marriage registrar and two witnesses over the age of 18.
Civil marriage ceremonies performed at registry offices fall within the remit of the HSE. The capacity of venues and accommodation differ across the country and adhere to current public health guidance on indoor gatherings. The capacity of registry offices will vary depending on the location chosen by the couple, with larger capacity at venues situated in the main urban areas such as Dublin and Cork.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
466. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of meetings she has had with businesses, workers, and representatives of the events industry since July 2020; and the dates of each meeting. [43288/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland (MEAI) on two occasions since July 2020. These were on the 4th August 2020 and 23rd August 2021.
I have been in touch with representatives of the MEAI on an informal basis as well as writing to them and to others who have made representations on their behalf.
Through my engagement with MEAI, I worked to introduce a specific provision which allows self-employed workers in the music and entertainment industry to earn €960 over 8 weeks while still retaining their PUP payment.
I recently deferred the transition of workers previously in receipt of the €203 rate of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment to standard Jobseeker’s terms until after 22nd October 2021 in response to the concerns of the entertainment industry.
I assigned a specific point of contact in my Department at official level to liaise with MEAI and help them with any queries that arise on behalf of their members in relation to social welfare payments. In addition, a dedicated mailbox was put in place to deal with customer queries from the sector.
467. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a free travel companion pass by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43302/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for a Companion Free Travel Pass on 3 September 2021. Their application has been forwarded to be assessed by the Chief Medical Assessor.
When a decision is made on their eligibility, the person concerned will be notified in writing without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
468. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43320/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe domiciliary care allowance application from the person concerned has been finalised. They were notified by letter dated the 7th September 2021 that domiciliary care allowance has been awarded from 1st July 2021. Arrears due will issue with the September payment on the 21st September 2021.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
469. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount allocated towards the work placement experience programme. [43328/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 Further Revised Estimate voted by the Dáil on 16th June 2021 allocated €135.7 million for the Work Placement Experience Programme in 2021.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
470. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a domiciliary care allowance backdating appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43343/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 September 2021. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
471. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter in relation to the upcoming Budget 2022 and pensioners who have not received an increase in their payments in the past few budgets or during the pandemic for fuel (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43365/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2022 over the coming weeks, taking account of available resources.
While core rates for pensioners remained unchanged in Budgets 2020 and 2021, a series of targeted measures were introduced which sought to protect some of the most vulnerable groups, including pensioners.
In recognition of research which indicates that those who are aged 65 years and over are more likely to be at risk of poverty, deprivation and consistent poverty if they live alone, the Living Alone Allowance was increased by €10 per week over the course of Budgets 2020 and 2021. This brought the rate from €9 to €19 per week.
To take account of increased costs arising as a result of increases to the carbon tax, the Fuel Allowance was increased by €2 per week in Budget 2020 and a further €3.50 per week in Budget 2021, raising the weekly rate of payment from €22.50 in 2019 to €28 currently.
These measures mean that, while the general pension payment rate did not increase, a pensioner living alone could be €15.50 per week better off during the fuel allowance season. In addition, on a once-off basis in 2020, the fuel season was extended by four weeks, in recognition of the fact that many people were spending more time at home due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
In considering options for the forthcoming Social Welfare Budget package, I will, once again, be guided by pre-Budget submissions from a range of advocacy groups, including those in the community and voluntary sector, and evidence-based research produced by organisations such as the CSO, the ERSI and the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice.
472. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the interdepartmental review of community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43412/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) scheme is a labour market initiative that provides work experience and training opportunities to help long-term unemployed people and other vulnerable groups to enter the workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment. It also tackles issues of social inclusion and provides valuable services to local communities across the country.
In 2019, the Government established an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to explore how the Community Employment social inclusion strand should be best organised in the future. I take it that this is the review to which the Deputy is referring. The Group included representatives from the Departments of Social Protection; Public Expenditure and Reform; Agriculture, Food and Marine; Rural and Community Development; Children and Youth Affairs; Justice and Equality; Health; Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Housing Planning and Local Government.
The Group undertook a consultative process with a number of key stakeholders and community and voluntary organisations; all submissions received were considered as part of the review process.
The final IDG report was provided to my Department for consideration at the start of 2020. Shortly after, the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic impacted on the immediate priorities for employment support schemes such as Community Employment. With the re-opening of the economy and the phasing out of public health restrictions, these schemes are now returning to normal services levels, albeit in a changed labour market context. In this context my Department intends to progress the IDG Report in the near future.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
473. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons still receiving the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43427/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is published each week by my Department at www.gov.ie/dsp/statistics. 114,612 people will receive the payment for the week ending 19 September.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
474. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office will recommence in-person oral hearings with appropriate Covid-19 safety measures in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. When an appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration the Appeals Officer makes a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, holds an oral hearing. The granting of an oral hearing is at the discretion of the Appeals Officer.
Due to the public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person hearings were suspended in March 2020 and have remained suspended since then with the exception of a small number of weeks in August and September 2020. Oral hearings have been successfully conducted online or by telephone since October 2020 and these types of hearings will continue. In light of restrictions being lifted and, subject to prevailing public health advice, an in-person oral hearing may be convened where the Chief Appeals Officer is of the view that an in-person hearing is essential in any particular case. As outlined above, oral hearings will continue to be held online and by phone.
475. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for jobseeker’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason a HRC1 form is again being requested when they have been issued this payment previously and has been continually living in Ireland for the past nine years; when payment is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43561/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) on 02/09/2021. In assessing the application, the person concerned was asked to provide additional details in support of his claim. Following receipt of this information on 09/09/2021, JA was awarded with effect from 31/08/2021.
The person concerned will have received his first payment and arrears to his nominated bank account on 14/09/2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter .
476. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a transfer from disability allowance to invalidity pension can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); if the recovery level on the overpayment can be reduced given that it is causing hardship and the applicant is in poor health and on regular dialysis; if the matter will be addressed as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43625/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was awarded disability allowance (DA) with effect from 18 February 2015 and their first payment was on 6 May 2015.
Following a review and subsequent appeal of the review decision, they were found to have means not previously disclosed to the Department and an overpayment was raised against them. If they wish to have the current repayments reduced they can request it in writing to the debt recovery unit (DRU) stating their reasons and the request will be considered by that unit..
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
To qualify for IP a claimant must, inter-alia, have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E, H or S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
A claim for IP was received from the person concerned on 10 May 2021. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 3 September 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
477. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which an overpayment assessment was reached in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the weekly breakdown of her Department’s reviews and assessments and any other documents that may be relevant to an appeal of this decision by her Department. [43647/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. Persons awarded this pension are obliged to notify the Department of any changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement. A list of reportable changes of circumstance is included in the initial notification of pension award and in all subsequent review communications issued.
Social welfare legislation provides that the personal representative of a deceased person, who at any time received a means-tested payment, is obliged to give notice to the Department of their intention to distribute the deceased's estate and to provide a schedule of the assets of the estate. The personal representative is requested not to distribute the estate until they receive formal clearance from the Department. If, on examination of the schedule of assets, it is found that not all of the deceased’s means had been disclosed, or if the values of previously assessed means had changed, the Department will seek to recover any monies overpaid from the estate.
Following receipt of the schedule of assets relating to the deceased person concerned on 23 November 2020, the case was referred to an Inspector of the Department for investigation. The Inspector wrote to the deceased’s legal representative requesting certain financial documentation, which was subsequently provided. A re-assessment of the deceased’s weekly means, based on new information provided, indicated that the deceased had been overpaid state pension between January 2006 and March 2019 and this finding, together with the assessed overpayment amount, was notified to the legal representative on 23 February 2021.
The detailed overpayment assessment and documentation sought by the Deputy was sent to the Deputy's Dáil Éireann office, by registered post, on 8 September 2021, following an earlier request.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
478. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the disparities (details supplied) inherent in payments between the blind pension and disability allowance, which may leave blind persons significantly worse off than those with other disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43685/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe social protection system includes a variety of social assistance payments with different rules in relation to means testing, reflecting the different contingencies under which payments are made. 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.
A person may be entitled to Disability Allowance where they have an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year.
The Blind Pension is a means-tested payment paid to blind and visually impaired people. It is unique in the social protection system as it is a payment provided to people with a specific physical impairment. As such, it contains different eligibility and means assessment criteria to Disability Allowance. Unlike Disability Allowance, recipients of Blind Pension may also qualify for a range of other primary schemes such as Jobseeker’s Benefit, Illness Benefit, and One-Parent Family Payment.
Earlier this year, I signed Regulations which introduced a new income disregard for Disability Allowance recipients who have been granted bursaries, stipends or scholarships towards completing a PhD. It is subject to an annual limit of €20,000 per annum (i.e. if a recipient gets more than one bursary, the combination cannot exceed €20,000) and is available for a maximum of four years.
My Department encourages other social welfare recipients to avail of education and training through the Back to Education scheme, as well as by referrals to Education and Training Board courses through the Department's Intreo service. In addition, income received from the SUSI grant is disregarded in the means test for most social welfare schemes.
In addition, there are a number of scholarships, such as those awarded by certain charitable organisations, which are not assessed as part of the means test for social welfare payments. These include payments under the 1916 Bursary Fund and under Higher Educational Scholarships for Adult Learners from Uversity to a maximum of €7,000 per annum. Uversity is a registered charity that has been awarding Higher Education Scholarships to adult learners since 2018.
For both Disability Allowance and the Blind Pension, capital is assessed as part of the means test. Capital assessed 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. Property personally used (a claimant’s home) is not included in the means assessment.
The Department uses an assessment formula, which is set out in legislation, to calculate a person's weekly means from capital. For Blind Pension, and most other social assistance schemes, the formula is as follows; the first €20,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
The capital assessment formula applying to Disability Allowance is unique in the social welfare system, in that the first €50,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand.
Any changes to the means test for Disability Allowance or the Blind Pension would need to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
The issue of taxation of social welfare payments is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
