Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount dispersed in additional needs payments for the month of January; the amount requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6084/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are demand led and made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.Expenditure figures are not yet available for January 2023. In the previous month, December 2022, the provisional total expenditure figure for Additional Need Payments was €7.6m. The total amount requested for Additional Needs Payments is not recorded. Applications are decided based on the need of the individual, taking all of the circumstances of the case into consideration to provide an appropriate level of assistance for the need presented.Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
43. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of exceptional needs' payments under the supplementary welfare allowance paid in January 2023; the total and individual value of each payment; and the total expenditure by category, in tabular form. [5998/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.The schemes are demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.It is not feasible to show the individual payment amount for each Additional Needs Payment.Table 1 shows the breakdown of Additional Needs Payments by category and expenditure for December 2022.Statistics relating to claims made in January 2023 are not yet available. A statistical summary will be published on a quarterly basis for 2023 onwards. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.TABULAR STATEMENTTable 1 - Breakdown of Additional Needs Payments for December 2022 by category and expenditure.
|
Category |
Number of payments |
Expenditure |
|
Bills |
242 |
€155,369 |
|
Child Related |
152 |
€29,218 |
|
Clothing |
4,350 |
€618,256 |
|
Funeral |
246 |
€739,208 |
|
General |
2,683 |
€1,089,232 |
|
Housing |
2,090 |
€4,001,965 |
|
Illness |
71 |
€13,203 |
|
Other (Supplements) |
76 |
€28,360 |
|
Urgent Needs Payment |
57 |
€54,062 |
|
Grand Total |
9,967 |
€6,728,873 |
Note: These expenditure figures are taken from the Department's database and represent a snapshot of ANPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid. The figures do not capture overpayments recouped and will not reconcile with the end of year outturn figures. The supplement expenditure figures relate only to supplements awarded in December 2022, and not other ongoing claims in payment.
44. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection her proposals to review the means test for the carer’s allowance. [5994/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.The role of my department is to provide income supports where there is an income need.The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and provided, and that a means test is satisfied. The application of the means-test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that scarce resources are targeted to those with the greatest need.As part of Budget 2022, I introduced significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years:
- The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with the capital means test for Disability Allowance.
- For carers who work, the weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
The current Carer's Allowance disregards are the most generous income disregards in the social welfare system and mean that, in the case of a couple, earnings of up to €39,000 a year are disregarded. In addition to Carer's Allowance, my department also provides a non-means tested payment to carers in the form of Carer’s Benefit. Furthermore, the Carer's Support Grant - which I increased to its highest-ever rate of €1,850 - is available to carers who are not on a social welfare payment. For those providing ongoing care and attention for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, Domiciliary Care Allowance is available and is also not means-tested.More recently, as part of Budget 2023, I announced a range of measures directly benefitting family carers, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis. These include:
- A Cost of Living Double Payment to carers paid in October.
- A €500 Cost of Living payment for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November.
- Carers received the Christmas Bonus Double Payment in December.
- A €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit took effect from January 2023 with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.
- A €2 increase for each Qualified Child bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s from January 2023.
- The Half-rate Carer’s Allowance is now disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance since January 2023.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance increased by €20.50 to €330 per month with effect from January 2023.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance is now available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.
Notwithstanding the increased level of support already in place for carers, I have asked my department to keep these measures under review as part of the annual budgetary process. Finally, I have committed to a carrying out a broad review of means testing this year which will include Carer's Allowance means test provisions. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
45. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the statistics of exceptional needs payments from the two Intreo offices in the Dublin 8 and Dublin 12 areas for November 2022, December 2022 and January 2023. [6134/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make additional needs payments to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.The schemes are demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. The specific information requested on supplementary welfare allowance schemes by Intreo Centre is not collated; however it can be provided by county. Table 1 shows additional need payment applications registered and awarded for County Dublin in November and December 2022.Statistics relating to claims made in January 2023 are not yet available. A statistical summary will be published on a quarterly basis for 2023 onwards. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a national community welfare contact centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.Tabular StatementTable 1- Additional Need Payment applications registered and awarded for County Dublin in November and December 2022.
|
Month |
Registered |
Awarded |
|
Nov-22 |
3,471 |
2,262 |
|
Dec-22 |
2,545 |
1,878 |
46. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for additional needs payments to date in 2023; if she can clarify the number of these that have been rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6074/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are demand led and made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.In 2022 there were 146,569 Additional Needs Payment applications, of which 17,628 were disallowed.Statistics relating to claims made in 2023 are not yet available. A statistical summary will be published on a quarterly basis for 2023 onwards. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
48. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise on her Department's review of means testing for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6039/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the important role that family carers play in Irish society and is fully committed to supporting them through a range of payments and services. Means tests in my Department are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years. In particular, I have introduced a number of changes to means testing which provide for higher income disregards. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a social assistance payment and are working, a certain level of income from that work is not assessed in the means test.Carer’s Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are caring full-time for a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness, including mental illness. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full-time care and attention is required and being provided, and that the means test is satisfied.The conditions attached to payment of Carer’s Allowance are consistent with the overall conditions that apply to social assistance payments generally. This system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need with the means test playing the critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency, be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring.In responding to the carer organisations and the voices of family carers, significant changes were made to the Carer’s Allowance means test as part of Budget 2022.
- The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with that which applies for Disability Allowance.
- The weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
The changes came into effect on 2 June 2022. As a result, Carer's Allowance disregards are the highest income disregards in the entire social welfare system.The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment for carers who look after people in need of full-time care and attention. The grant is paid in a single annual lump sum which is not means-tested and is not taxable. It is paid in respect of each care recipient. The Grant is currently paid at a rate of €1,850 per year, which is the highest rate at which it has been paid since it was first introduced in 1999.As part of Budget 2023, I announced a range of measures directly benefiting family carers, particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis. Finally, I have committed to a carrying out broad review of means testing this year which will include Carer's Allowance means test provisions.
49. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the report on the impact of employee PRSI contributions on minimum wage employees. [5996/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is understood from clarification received from the Deputy, that the question refers to the "Options Paper to Resolve the 'Step Effects' Relating to the Employee and Employer PRSI Thresholds". Officials in my Department have developed initial draft proposals to address these PRSI 'Step Effect' issues; however as there are wider implications beyond Social Protection on this matter, discussions are underway with the other Departments concerned. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
50. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reopen a full-time social welfare office in Castlepollard, County Westmeath. [5800/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCastlepollard Branch Office closed on 8 April 2022 at the request of the then Branch Office Manager due to unforeseen circumstances. No formal decision has yet been taken as to the opening of a new Social Welfare Branch Office dedicated to Castlepollard.
Since the closure, an outreach service has been put in place in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday each week, 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 16.00.
This service is fully supported by Mullingar Intreo Centre where customers are welcome to conduct their business by either attending in person, emailing mullingar@welfare.ie or via the dedicated phoneline (044) 9350921. The Department’s services are also available through digital & online channels at MyWelfare.ie.
My Department closely monitors all relevant data in regard to the service provisions in this and all other localities. There has been no reduction in service levels by the Department in relation to Activation measures, Community Welfare Support or Inspector activities as a result of the closure of the Branch Office. In addition, the closure of the Branch Office has not impacted on the claims processing and prompt customer service. All new claims are processed by the National Processing Team and this was the position prior to the closure of the Branch Office in April 2022.
The claimload of the Castlepollard Branch Office is 589 , which also takes account of the additional increased claimload associated with Temporary Protection customers from the Ukraine. Since the week ending 10th April 2022, 336 new claims have been registered at Castlepollard, which include TPU customers. This averages less than 8 claims per week, with the average footfall figures at the outreach service standing at 18 customers per day.
Social Welfare payment arrangements continue to be available for collection at Castlepollard Post Office and post offices in the surrounding area. I understand that 170 of my Department's customers collect their payments in the Castlepollard post office on a weekly basis.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
51. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff in her Department who are working remotely on a permanent basis; the number working from home; the number working from a remote hub; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2043/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs at end December 2022, the number of staff from my Department working remotely on a permanent basis is zero. This is because the Department operates an annual application process for blended working arrangements.The number of staff working a combination of a primary Department of Social Protection (DSP) office location and their home location is 3,924; the number working from a remote hub under the Connected Hubs Network is zero; the number working a combination of a primary DSP office location and another private address location is 61; the number working from a combination of a primary DSP office location and hub office of the Department is 12.On 12th September 2022, my Department implemented a formal Blended Working Policy under which staff members were invited at that time to apply for a blended working arrangement and annually thereafter subject to business needs, role suitability and other criteria in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations, which was published in March 2022.The policy allows for a combination of working from a primary DSP office location and working remotely, either from a home location or possibly from a hub office of the Department where availability permits.Prior to this and providing an essential service throughout the Pandemic, DSP staff worked both on site and remotely to deliver services to our customers with approximately 50% of the total staffing number onsite at any one time.In line with business needs, it shall continue, following the introduction of the Blended Working Policy, to be necessary for staff providing front line customer services to do so in-person at primary office locations.
52. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to increase the carer's allowance or carer's benefit rates and the income disregard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2041/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2023 is expected to amount to almost €1.6 billion on these payments. As part of Budget 2022, I introduced significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years:
- The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000, aligning it with the capital means test for Disability Allowance.
- For carers who work, the weekly income disregard was increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner.
More recently, as part of Budget 2023, I announced a range of measures, including rate increases, directly benefitting family carers. These include:
- A €12 increase in the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit took effect from January 2023 with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.
- A €2 increase for each Qualified Child bringing rates to €50 for Over 12s and €42 for Under 12s from January 2023.
- A Cost of Living Double Payment to carers paid in October.
- A €500 Cost of Living payment for people receiving Carer’s Support Grant paid in November.
- Carers received the Christmas Bonus Double Payment in December.
- The Half-rate Carer’s Allowance is now disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance since January 2023.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance increased by €20.50 to €330 per month with effect from January 2023.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance is now available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.
The current rate for Carer’s Allowance is one of the higher rates within the social welfare system. Where a carer is under 66, the maximum weekly rate is €236; where a carer is 66 or over, the maximum weekly rate is €274. For Carer’s Benefit, the maximum weekly rate is currently €237, or at €355.50 where more than 1 person is being cared for.I will continue to keep the range of supports provided by my Department under review. However, any changes, such as further increases to the rates and income disregards, would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
54. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the target processing time for schemes under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2044/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
The targets for each scheme are agreed by Management Board in consultation with the relevant scheme areas. In setting the individual scheme targets consideration is taken of the complexity of the schemes and the processes that are necessary to determine eligibility. As a result the processing times vary across schemes, depending on the differing qualification criteria.
Schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness-related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means-tested payments can also require more detailed investigations and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision-making process. There are two key metrics which help determine the targets associated with each scheme, namely the average number of weeks to award and the percentage of claims awarded within the target timeframe. These metrics, alongside other factors such as staffing levels, potential changes to eligibility criteria or changes to business processes, are taken into account when accessing the feasibility of a revision to the target for a given scheme. The processing times are reviewed annually.
My Department understands the many pressures faced by customers and always seeks to ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently.
I am pleased to report, for instance, that claim processing targets are currently being met for all schemes across the Disability and Caring Schemes as reflected in the table beneath. My department continues to ensure that customer service is maintained at a high level.
|
Scheme Area |
Target |
Target Reached December 2022 |
Average Weeks to Award December 2022 |
|
Disability Allowance |
75% within 10 weeks |
83% in 10 weeks |
8 weeks |
|
Domiciliary Care |
90% within 10 weeks |
98% in 10 weeks |
7 weeks |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
75% within 11 weeks |
87% in 11 weeks |
7 weeks |
|
Invalidity Pension |
90% within 10 weeks |
90% in 10 weeks |
8 weeks |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
90% by date of entitlement |
95% by date of entitlement |
6 weeks |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
90% in 6 weeks |
95% in 6 weeks |
1 week |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
75% within 12 weeks |
87% in 12 weeks |
6 weeks |
In recent years, my Department has introduced a wide range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximized.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
55. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the passing of the Social Welfare Act 2022, when her report on the provision and cost of community welfare officers will be completed. [5995/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI agreed at Committee Stage of the Social Welfare Bill 2022 that I will lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas within six months of the passage of the Act. The Bill was passed on 15/12/22. Work on the report is progressing in line with that schedule.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
56. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the promised strawman proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments; the timeline for the public consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6125/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 includes a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report.The Strawman will also meet commitments under Pathways to Work to review the current long-term disability payment schemes with a view to removing inconsistencies/anomalies and to ensure that they recognise the continuum of disabilities and support employment.The Cost of Disability research report was published by my Department in December 2021. It is feeding into the preparation of the Strawman reform proposals. Work on the Strawman is at an advanced stage. I intend to carry out a wider consultation process with all stakeholders and advocacy groups following publication.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
57. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person receiving the benefit payment for 65-year-olds is precluded from receiving the carer’s benefit; if receipt of the same benefit payment precludes persons from receiving other welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6041/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBenefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds was introduced in early 2021 in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to address the position of people who are 65 who are required to or who choose to retire at age 65 but who do not qualify for the State Pension until they reach age 66.The underlying statutory basis of this benefit is provided for under Jobseeker's Benefit. There are a number of exemptions in place for recipients of Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds including that they are not required to be available for full-time work, to be genuinely seeking work and they are not required to sign on. Recipients are exempt from participating in activation unless they choose to engage and can also participate in a course of education while retaining their full payment entitlements.The objectives of the Jobseeker schemes and Carer schemes are not compatible. The primary objective of Carer's Benefit is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities and in so doing to support the ongoing care of the person in respect of whom care is being provided.The payment of Benefit Payment for 65-Year-Olds with Carer's Benefit is not permitted under the legislative provisions in place.I trust that this clarifies the matter.
58. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the consultation process as part of her Department’s work on addressing the cost of disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6037/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Indecon Cost of Disability report was prepared following an extensive consultation with disabled people and disability stakeholders. This included one of the largest disability surveys ever undertaken in the State. It was published in December 2021.The report identified that additional costs of disability run across a number of areas of expenditure including housing, equipment, aids and appliances, care and assistance services, mobility, transport, communications, medicines, and additional living expenses. The report found that there is not a single typical cost of disability; rather, there is a spectrum from low to high additional costs of disability, depending on individual circumstances. For this reason, a whole of Government approach is required to address the cost of disability.Responses to the report were considered regularly by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group as part of its monitoring of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. This group was chaired by my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD. The group included relevant departments, agencies, and a Disability Stakeholder Group. The work of the Steering Group was due to end in 2021 but was extended to the end of 2022.A new national cross-Government strategy to succeed the National Disability Inclusion Strategy is currently being developed by all government departments and agencies. This is also intended to satisfy the Programme for Government commitment to develop a coordinated plan to advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Cost of Disability report is an important element of the evidence base which will inform the scope and focus of the strategy.The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 includes a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘Strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments. The Cost of Disability report is also feeding into the preparation of the Strawman reform proposals. Work on the Strawman is at an advanced stage and I hope to publish it later in Q1. I intend to carry out a wider consultation process with all stakeholders and advocacy groups following publication.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
59. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that will be taken to address an anomaly whereby recipients of a non-contributory pension will not be able to rent out their empty home under the terms of fair deal scheme as the former family home will now be treated as an asset and contribute to their means assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6190/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection provides income supports through a mixture of contributory payments (which are based on a person's social insurance record) and means-tested social assistance payments.
The State 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. For the purposes of the means-test, it is necessary at the outset for applicants to provide full details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments they hold (and the income(s)/assets of their dependent spouse, civil partner, co-habitant, if applicable).
Following the award of pension, the person receiving the pension (and, where relevant, their qualified adult dependant, personal representative or agent) must notify the Department in a timely manner of any change in their circumstances that may impact on their pension entitlement. Such changes would include notification of the commencement of rental of a property held by the pension recipient.
In general, the family home is not assessed as part of the means assessment for any of the Department’s schemes unless it is put to profitable use. An example of profitable use is where the family home is rented entirely while the applicant lives elsewhere.
Any changes to assessment of capital or income would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Matters in relation to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (the Fair Deal scheme) are a matter for the Minister for Health.
I have committed to a broad review of means testing this year which will include the State Pension (Non-contributory) means test provisions.
I trust this clarifies for the deputy.
