1982. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on his position on the thresholds in the capital means tests across various schemes in his Department. [59958/26]

Social welfare legislation provides that for social assistance schemes all income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her spouse/partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.

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 each recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.

The formula for assessing the value of capital for all schemes (except Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance) is as follows: the first €20,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed (capital over €40,000) at €4 per thousand.

The formula for assessing the value of capital for Disability Allowance and Carer's Allowance is as follows: the first €50,000 is fully disregarded; the next €10,000 assessed at €1 per thousand, the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed(capital over €70,000) at €4 per thousand.

As the role of Supplementary Welfare Allowance is different to that of other social assistance schemes, capital is assessed in a different manner.

A comprehensive review of means testing in the social protection system is currently underway in my Department. The purpose of the review of means testing is to look at the different means-tested schemes and to identify any issues in terms of the application of their respective means test.

It is my intention that the review's findings will inform decisions regarding potential changes to means testing in future Budgets. The review is currently being finalised and reviewed internally, and I expect that it will be submitted to me shortly.

Due to the complexity of the review, I will carefully and thoroughly evaluate it to determine the best way to utilise its findings and identify those that may warrant further consideration.

However, any prospective changes to means-testing arrangements would need to be evaluated and considered within the overall policy and budgetary context.