Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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34. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the diversity in the means assessment for the adult dependent payment of disability allowance claims, whereby currently, self employed adult dependents have all of their income means assessed without any disregards; if she will allow for the same disregards as adult dependents who are in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33755/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department operates a range of statutory means tested schemes where, in order to qualify for the social assistance payment, the claimant must satisfy a means test. The means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property (other than the home) and capital.

Where a spouse is in insurable employment, the means test takes the gross weekly earnings less PRSI, superannuation, and trade union contributions. A disregard of €60 per day for each day worked up to a maximum of €60 per week is applied, and 60% of the balance is assessed as means.

Where a spouse is self-employed, account is taken of the income which the spouse may reasonably expect to receive in the next year. All expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out the business are disregarded.

This is the method used in assessing spousal earnings, not only for Disability Allowance, but also for Jobseeker’s Allowance and Farm Assist. Any change to the means testing of these schemes would have to be considered in a budgetary context.