Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Senator Maria Byrne for raising this very important point. As she is probably aware, the Department reviews and changes means tests on an ongoing basis. Over the last three budgets, changes have been introduced to the means test for the fuel allowance, disability allowance, working family payment, farm assist, carer's allowance, blind pension and the one-parent family payment. Budget 2022 provided for an increase to €50,000 in the disregard under the carer's allowance scheme. The weekly income thresholds for carer's allowance increased to €350 for a single person and €750 for a couple. More work remains to be done by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to support people in receipt of social welfare in various areas.

As I stated, more generally the Minister introduced new means disregards across all means assessments for those people renting a room in their own home to help with accommodation availability. Officials in the Department are examining means testing across a wide range of departmental schemes. This is obviously a significant undertaking given the range of schemes and the variance between the means tests, particularly when examined in the context of a range of household types. The intent of this examination is to consider the principles behind the means tests and consider design approaches for means tests which reflect these principles. Officials will also engage with external stakeholders, including at the Department’s pre-budget forum, which is being held with NGOs next week, to seek wider views on means testing.

As I stated, means testing is kept under constant review for all schemes. Departmental officials will continue to work on the means review and the intention is that the report of this review will be provided by quarter 4 of this year.