Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has advised her inspectors at local level that they are to accept the current economic situation of self-employed persons or those applying for farm assist; her views on whether many of these persons are in a critical situation at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40533/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Jobseekers Allowance and Farm Assist are both means tested payments. In most such cases, a Social Welfare Inspector will interview the claimant and make such enquiries as are necessary to ascertain the means of the applicant.

Historically self-employed persons tended to be assessed with their income in the 12 months prior to claiming, and a decision was given on that basis. This was in the context of the relatively stable economic conditions. However, it was always the case that where an applicant had ceased self employment or where an applicant could justifiably maintain that their income in the coming 12 months was likely to be greatly reduced in light of personal or economic circumstances, then Inspectors and Deciding Officers would always take account of this, and exercise their best judgement as to the likely income a person would receive in the 12 months following their claim.

In light of the changed economic environment and recognising that the system of using past-year earnings as a basis for assessing means was no longer as equitable as it had been, the Department issued a circular in May 2008 advising Inspectors of this and pointing out that it would generally be the case that less work was going to be available to a claimant in the foreseeable future. Inspectors were advised that each case should be examined on its merits and that they should apply their knowledge of local conditions to arrive at a fair assessment of the income from self-employment in the coming 12 months.

Where a self employed person's situation changes after they have made an initial claim for Jobseekers Allowance or Farm Assist, they can apply to have their means reviewed. In addition, it is open to the individual, if he or she is dissatisfied with the means assessed, to make an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

In the meantime it is important to remember that people who have urgent income support needs can apply for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) and more than 95% of basic SWA applications are decided on, and paid, within the week.

I appreciate the need to ensure that claimants who have been self employed, and whose income is significantly affected by the economic downturn, receive their full and fair entitlements in a timely manner, and I assure the House that we are doing our best to achieve this.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will ensure that the half carer's allowance will continue to be paid to widows or widowers in view of the fact that these persons often suffered after the death of a spouse before this scheme was introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40534/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes put forward a range of recommendations relating to the Department of Social and Family Affairs including recommendations relating to the half-rate carer's allowance. The Department will consider the Report's recommendations as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. Decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for Government. Full consideration will of course be given to the impact of all the proposals on the recipients involved.

The Government is acutely aware and appreciative of the contribution made by carers to people needing ongoing care and support. In recognition of this, considerable improvements have been made in recent years in services and supports for carers.

Over the past decade, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit, half-rate carer's allowance and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended.

It is estimated that the combined expenditure on carer's allowance, carer's benefit, the respite care grant and half-rate carer's allowance will be €650 million in 2009.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on budgetary proposals at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.