Written answers
Thursday, 14 October 2021
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Payments
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
140. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider introducing some disregard in the means test for disability allowance for a person who is in a position to rent a room within their home. [50249/21]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Disability Allowance is one of a range of means-tested social assistance payments operated by my Department. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse/partner, if applicable), applying for the relevant scheme.
The means assessment reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most.
Where an individual is renting part of their family home, the cash value of the rental income is assessed. However, such rental income is reduced by a range of deductions.
These include:
- a proportion of any mortgage interest paid by the claimant on the part of the property rented;
- a 15% deduction for voids (i.e. periods when the accommodation is vacant between lettings); and,
- if the rooms let are furnished, a 5% deduction for wear and tear.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
No comments