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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Means tests and disability inheritance

Summary

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív highlighted anomalies in means tests, especially disability allowance being lost on inheritance that would be tax-free for siblings. The Minister said she agreed some capital and savings rules needed change, that a report was being finalised, and she would share it once received.

I am sure the Minister and I are both very pleased that means testing has been so much on the agenda today. There is a need to deal with the issue of carers and I applaud the progress the Minister has made. However, she and I know there are a lot of other anomalies. I will give one simple example, which is the disability allowance and people who have a lifelong disability who inherit from parents, along with siblings. The siblings get their money tax-free up to €400,000. However, if the disabled sibling were to inherit this money, he or she would lose the disability allowance. There are a lot of anomalies. The Minister commissioned a report in her Department and I have been promised this report for a long time. I am told this Dáil might not last for too long, or so the rumour around the House and in the media goes. Before the Dáil rises finally, will this report be published so at least we have sight of the work? I have campaigned for years that the means testing for social welfare payments is absolutely out of date and anomalous.

Comment on this

I thank the Deputy and he and I have discussed this at length on many occasions. He is right that some of the savings or capital allowances for means tests need to be changed. I agree with him there. My officials are finalising the report and I will give the Deputy a commitment that as soon as I receive it I will share it with him.

Comment on this

I will go back to my officials after these questions are finished and find out where the report is. As soon as I receive it, I will share it with the Deputy because a lot of what he wants to do, I want to do also.

Comment on this