Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

From 1 January the basic rate of subvention was increased to €300 per week. The increase in the basic rate necessitates an increase in the property threshold for areas outside Dublin from €300,000 to €365,000 where a person has an average annual income greater than €10,400, increased from €9,000. Under the terms of the financial means assessment, a person with income equivalent to the State non-contributory pension and a house worth €364,000 and no other income or assets would qualify for basic subvention at the increased rate. The amendment to the threshold acknowledges this fact and renders the provision compatible with the increased rate of subvention.