Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 317: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare payments for which the universal social charge is deductible for the means test; if the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill has made changes to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18203/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The recently enacted Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides for the disregard of the universal social charge when determining entitlement for family income supplement (FIS). This is in line with the long-standing arrangements whereby FIS entitlement is based on net earnings after all statutory deductions including income taxes and charges.

The charge is not disregarded for means testing purposes for all other social welfare payments. This continues the current position whereby income taxes and similar type charges are not disregarded.