Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
134. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire 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. [33196/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made with the review of means testing of social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32072/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has undertaken a review of means test in the social welfare code; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33145/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the review into means testing for the carers allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32567/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 137, 157, 159 and 168 together.
The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most. Means tests in my Department are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years including to the Carer's Allowance means test. I have introduced a number of changes to means testing, including providing for higher income disregards. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a social assistance payment and are working, their income from work, to the level of the income disregard, is not assessed in the means test.I have committed to a carrying out a broad review of means testing this year which will include consideration of means test provisions. This review is ongoing and I hope to complete it in Quarter 4. I trust that clarifies matters for the Deputy.
