Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to make it absolutely clear that it is based on the interest earned on savings and not the way the Department of Social Protection assesses it. Based on how the Department assesses it, if a person being means tested had €100,000 in the bank, it would equate to €270 a week or €14,000 a year. If I ever had €100,000 and was about to be means tested, I would send my money to the Minister for Social Protection - whoever that might be - to invest it and try to get that rate of interest, which equates to about 14%. How the Department assesses capital is an absolute disgrace, but that is another day's work. I seek clarification that it is the actual interest that is being assessed and that it is not being done in the way the Department of Social Protection assesses it.