263 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Social Welfare the consideration, if any, he has given to relaxing the qualifying conditions for a non-contributory old age pension in view of the fact that the current means test discourages pensioners from keeping money in banks and building societies and encourages attacks on their homes. [3868/96]

The function of the means test in social welfare assistance payments is to direct resources towards people in greatest need. The means test applied in determining entitlement to an old age non-contributory pension include an assessment of the value of any capital or investments (other than family home) held by the applicant. The purpose of this assessment is to ascribe a notional value to the capital owned and, at present, different methods of assessment apply in the various social assistance schemes.

264 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason participants on the community employment scheme cannot claim family income supplement particularly in view of the fact that they will be paying PAYE and PRSI as normal employees; the benefits, if any, the A1 contribution carries for CE employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3869/96]

The social employment scheme, the community employment development scheme and teamwork were amalgamated on 11 April 1994 into what is now known as community employment (CE). CE is aimed at providing part-time employment to assist unemployed people, particularly the long-term unemployed, to re-enter the labour market. The purpose of the family income supplement (FIS) scheme which is not an insurance-based scheme, on the other hand, is to create an incentive for people with families to take up or remain in paid full-time employment. Its purpose is essentially different from that of CE and to extend automatic entitlement of FIS to persons on CE would involve fundamental changes in the FIS scheme.