Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for coming to the House to address my issue. My question is for the Minister for Social Protection and relates to means testing and the ongoing review. Means testing is necessary for many payments in the social welfare system. It applies for carers, people on jobseeker's allowance and pensioners. A man came to me recently and told me that he downsized and bought an apartment in a seaside area, which is taken as capital even though he does not let it and uses it himself. The lady in the household does not qualify for a pension. The pensioner in question is still working part time and is not entitled to a claim for a dependent other, namely, his wife. Their means are going down quite a bit. Many couples find themselves in such a situation.

I had a group of carers in Leinster House recently, two of whom told me they gave up their full-time jobs to look after their partners. They are in receipt of no payment at all because they have a small private pension from the jobs they were in previously. The bottom line is that the carers looking after people at home are saving the State money. The situation needs to be reconsidered in the light of the provision of care these people give and the money they save the State. There are also considerations in respect of longevity. People who are cared for at home live longer. They receive loving care from their loved ones.

There are different means tests for the lone parent allowance and the working family payment. There needs to be some sort of regulation brought into means testing. There is a thorough review going on in the Department at the moment. I am looking for an update on that review.

I welcome Sasha Cannonkadu and Zara Carlyle to the Gallery. I know Sasha's mum very well and spoke to her only last night. They are very welcome and it is good to see them here. I know they will both be facing into the leaving certificate next year so I wish them luck.