Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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230. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if original bank statements are required in order for her Department to carry out a means test; if information on statements is allowed to be redacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18138/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Qualification for a number of assistance payment from my Department require a means test to be undertaken to assess the customers’ eligibility. One of the factors that are taken into account in the calculation of means is any investments and savings that the customer may have. To carry out a means test in respect of savings, original bank statements should be provided. If it is not possible to provide an original bank statement an officer may decide to accept a copy of the statement.

A bank statement with information redacted may not provide a complete record of the financial information that is required to carry out a means test and as such may be considered as an incomplete document.