Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views that a person who is separated and has received a share of the family home but has not as of yet used the payment to purchase a new property is discriminated against in that the payment they receive will be assessed as means against them (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33282/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In assessing means for social assistance purposes, account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property (except the family home). Capital may include the following:

- Stocks and shares of every description, which are assessed according to their current market value.

- Savings certificates / bonds / national instalment savings, which are also assessed according to their current market value.

- Monies invested in a bank, building society etc.

For the purposes of most social assistance schemes, the first €20,000 of capital is disregarded for means test purposes and the balance is assessed by reference to a formula. In the case of disability allowance, the first €50,000 is disregarded, while in the case of supplementary welfare allowance, the first €5,000 is disregarded.

In the case of disability allowance, blind pension and state pension (non-contributory), the proceeds derived from the sale of the principal private residence can be disregarded, subject to an upper limit of €191,500. These arrangements do not apply to other schemes such as jobseeker's allowance or one-parent family payment.

I am mindful of the difficulties that can arise for people if there is any significant delay between the sale of the principal private residence and the purchase of a new residence. However, any change in the current arrangements would have to be considered in a Budgetary context.