Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
349. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the means testing system to qualify for carers allowance to consider applicants with income that can vary from year-to-year such as farmers or the self-employed. [60377/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her partner, where applicable, is assessable for means assessment purposes. The purpose of the means assessment is to maintain the policy of ensuring that social welfare expenditure is targeted to those who need it most.
All of the claimant’s sources of income are added together and taken into account when deciding whether they qualify for a means-tested payment, or the level at which they are paid.
Once claims are in payment, the Department periodically reviews them to ensure that there is continued entitlement. Depending on the circumstances in each case and to make best use of resources, a review may only concentrate on a specific condition of entitlement.
If a customer has a change in circumstance, they can request a review of their means assessment.
Over the last number of years, I have made significant changes to the means test for Carer’s Allowance. The income disregard is now €350 per week for a single person and €750 per week for a couple. I also increased the capital/savings disregard from €20,000 to €50,000. These changes mean that disregards in the Carer's Allowance means test are now one of the highest in the Social Welfare system, most notably with regard to a spouse’s earnings.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
