Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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447. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review her recent announcement concerning the means disregard in respect of the living alone allowance for claimants choosing to accommodate people in their homes by renting out rooms and amend the qualification conditions to allow people living with a single adult son or daughter to claim this benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27272/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I was pleased to recently announce a series of measures which will remove barriers facing social welfare customers who choose to accommodate people in their homes.

I am introducing a new means disregard of up to €14,000 per annum, in respect of those who rent a room in their home.  This brings social welfare rules in line with the Rent a Room Relief Scheme, which has been operated for many years by the Revenue Commissioners.  This new disregard means that a social welfare customer will be able to rent out a room in their home for up to €14,000 per annum and this income will not see their means-tested social welfare payment impacted, including for the Fuel Allowance or the Household Benefits Package.

I am also introducing a change in the rules for those who receive the Living Alone Allowance.  This change will facilitate continued payment of the Living Alone Allowance to those who accommodate people (but not immediate family members), via rental or otherwise, in their own home.  This amendment will apply mainly to the benefit of pensioners making accommodation available, including to arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine. 

Research has consistently shown that those living alone are more at risk of poverty than those who live as a couple or family.  This is particularly true of older people who live alone.  The main objective of the living Alone Allowance payment is to compensate for the additional individual costs of living alone, when compared to a couple or a family unit.  To apply the change I am introducing to include immediate family members would mean it would no longer be a supplementary, targeted payment. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.