Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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121. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider incorporating outgoings and household expenses into the means test for payments from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56780/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.

By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure.

Means tests are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years. In particular, I have introduced a number of changes to means testing which provide for higher income disregards. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a social assistance payment and are working, a certain level of income from that work is not assessed in the means test.

Introducing consideration of outgoings would have significant budgetary implications and would significantly increase the complexity of the means assessment. Any changes in this regard would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.

As part of Budget 2023, I announced €1.2 billion in measures which will assist low-income families with increasing household expenses over the coming months. I have also announced a €12 increase in weekly payments from next January.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.