Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The Department takes that into account. I suggest the Deputy raise that matter with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. I must have some way of gauging a person's income, the reason for which is simple. There are only 2,600 places and we want to direct them towards those on low income. For example, there could be a fisherperson who had other business interests or whose spouse or partner had a large income. In all of these schemes family income is taken into account. It would be wrong that such a person could get on the scheme to the exclusion of a person on a much lower income. Therefore there must be some way of gauging a person's income. If there is a problem with the means test, I suggest the Deputy take it up with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

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