James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford is expected to supply details of their income in respect of their 24 year old child's application for jobseeker's allowance merely on the grounds that their child is living at home; the reason their child is not entitled to independent assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37567/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In the case of persons aged under 25 years of age, the means test for jobseeker's allowance takes account of the value of any benefit and privilege enjoyed by a claimant as a result of residing with a parent or step-parent. The calculation of such value is based on the level of parental net income. Parental income is calculated as gross income less tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge, superannuation and union dues. Rent or mortgage repayments are disregarded, where appropriate, and a parental allowance of €600 per week per couple plus €50 per week in respect of other dependent children applies. The balance is assessed at 34% and this constitutes the weekly value of benefit and privilege.

Once the person concerned reaches 25 years of age, the value of any benefit and privilege will no longer be regarded as means. Any changes to the current arrangements will be considered in the context of budget 2012 and subsequent Budgets.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Social Protection, in the case of a family whose business has collapsed, and who won a rental property, and where one of the couple has applied for jobseeker's allowance, how the rental property is assessed as part of the means test for jobseeker's allowance; if this assessment takes into account the equity stake of the family in the property, including negative equity; how the burden of negative equity is factored into the means test; and if the means test is conducted on means net of any mortgage repayments on that property. [37606/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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To qualify for jobseeker's allowance, a person must satisfy a means test. The means test for jobseeker's allowance includes an assessment of any property that the claimant or their spouse/partner may own, apart from the family home. Any outstanding mortgage registered against the property is deducted from the market value. Where the outstanding mortgage is higher than the market value of the property no capital means are assessed.

The weekly means from the property is assessed as follows:

The first €20,000 is disregarded.

The next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per €1,000

The next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per €1,000.

Any remaining value is assessed at €4 per €1,000.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Social Protection, in the case of a family whose business has collapsed, and who are paying a mortgage on the family home, and where one of the couple has applied for jobseeker's allowance, if the means test is conducted on means net of the mortgage repayments on the family home; if not, the reason; her views on the matter of adjusting our social protection system to allow for the new reality of families who may have paper wealth, in the form of property, but who may be unable to meet very basic bills, even including food, because of the burden of debt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37607/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Jobseeker's Allowance is a means tested social assistance scheme operated by my Department. For means test purposes, account is taken of the income and assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse/partner including the earnings of the spouse.

Where a spouse/partner has earnings from employment, earnings less PRSI contributions, pension contributions and trade union subscriptions are assessed as means. Mortgage payments are not deducted from earnings for means assessment purposes.

Any changes to the current arrangements would have to be considered in a budgetary context.