asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has plans to rationalise means testing by State agencies to avoid duplication and delays; and his response to the proposal in NESC Report No. 61 to establish a working party of officials from Government Departments on the issue to assess the possibility of either a passport system between one means test and another or, alternatively, a general eligibility means test.

The Commission on Social Welfare are already examining the whole area of means testing as part of their review of the social welfare system and related social services. It is expected that the commission's report will be available in March and their recommendations, together with the views expressed in NESC Report No. 61, will be fully taken into account in relation to future means testing arrangements.

At the moment we have different means tests for unemployment assistance, medical cards and differential rents — just to cite three examples. If the commission recommend along the lines of the NESC report, will the Minister be supportive of their approach?

If the number of means tests in operation could be reduced it would help. We will have to await the outcome of the commission's recommendations which will be considered by the Government and by the Minister.