Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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361. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider adapting the living-alone allowance criteria to allow a person to rent a room in their home to an international healthcare worker who has come to Ireland to work, without this impacting on their living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60608/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Living Alone Increase (LAI) is a payment for people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-Contributory), Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension, Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Deserted Wife's Benefit, and who are living alone.

It is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.

Earlier this year, I announced 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.

For those receiving the Living Alone Increase, this means that they can allow someone who is not an immediate family member, or an employee, to stay in their home and not impact their entitlement to the LAI payment. Rent may be charged, in line with other legislation, for that room.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.