Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The important point is that the limits increased in each year by far more than what any saver would have accrued via his or her SSIA and the interest attaching thereto. Last year, the limit was €33,890 for the 100% maintenance grant. This year, it is €35,485. If one is only receiving €785 plus some interest, the limit increase far outweighs what one would have received from one's SSIA.

For social welfare purposes, there are no special means testing provisions relating to SSIAs. The latter are treated in the same way as other savings and investments, such as money deposited in An Post savings accounts or shares. It would have been very unfair to penalise those saving with An Post or a credit union or putting money away each month under another system——

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