Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. This is a matter he has raised with me on a number of occasions. To be fair, I made changes, as recommended by the committee, to the half-rate for carers in respect of the fuel means test. He will know that I increased the means test for the over-70s this year.

I have committed to conduct a full review of all the means tests this year. I have asked my officials to examine the different tests across all schemes. Some schemes have a means test of €20,000. Let us face it, that amount used to buy a car but it would buy much now compared to then.

I am giving a commitment now that this year we will do full review of the means test across the board.

I agree with the Deputy on the qualifying adult in terms of the pension. Those unfortunate enough to have money in a joint account with their partner really lose out. The same applies with farming land. We have made improvements in terms of credits for the contributory pension. People are allowed credits for the time they spend caring. Under the new pension changes I propose to make, credits will be given for people who have been caring for people with disabilities for more than 20 years. Those are improvements we have made. This year the Department will do a complete trawl of the means test and we will see if we can make changes. The Deputy is right in saying that some of it will not cost very much and it means a great deal to people on the ground.