Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The euro-for-euro clawback to which the Deputy referred is applied, but only in respect of income exceeding the disregards and the €26 is allowed. The disregards are such that if there is an increase in one's welfare income, there is no corresponding euro-for-euro reduction in one's rent allowance.

There is a need to update thresholds, disregards and limits regularly because time erodes their value. With the upcoming budget in mind, we are considering very closely the levels of disregards and the various limitations and thresholds. They all must be increased at a pace to keep up with and, I hope, exceed the rate of inflation.

On the Deputy's final point, I will have to check the facts. I was surprised to hear him suggest that the only income taken into account in determining eligibility for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance is the carer's allowance.

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