Éamon Ó Cuív presses for report on means-testing anomalies
Éamon Ó Cuív questioned the minister about means-testing anomalies affecting carers and disability allowance and pressed for publication of a long-promised departmental report. He described means testing of social welfare as out of date and cited an inheritance anomaly that penalises disabled recipients.
Main concerns
Ó Cuív raised the need to address carers and a range of anomalies in means testing for social welfare payments. He said the current system is outdated and highlighted long-standing campaigning on the issue.
Inheritance anomaly cited
He gave a specific example concerning disability allowance and inheritance. Ó Cuív said siblings can inherit tax-free up to £400,000, but if the disabled sibling inherits the same money they would lose their disability allowance.
Report status and minister response
Ó Cuív said he had been promised a departmental report and asked whether it would be published before the Dáil rises. The minister responded that officials are finalising the report and committed to share it with Ó Cuív as soon as it is received, and to follow up after the questions are over.
Calls for change to means tests
Ó Cuív reiterated that capital allowances and some savings rules used in means tests need to be changed. He said much of what he wants to do aligns with the work in the department and pressed for transparency by releasing the commissioned report.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
I'm sure you and I are both very pleased that means testing has been so much in the agenda today. There is need to deal with the carers. I do applaud the progress you've made. However, you know and I know there are a lot of other anomalies. I'll give you one simple one. Disability allowance, people who have a lifelong disability and they inherit from parents along with their siblings. The siblings get their money tax-free up to £400,000. However, if the disabled sibling were to inherit the money, they'd lose the disability allowance. So there's a lot of anomalies. And you commissioned a report in your department and I have been promised that report for a long time. And I'm told that this Dáil Mantens last too long or so the rumour around the house goes and in the media. I was wondering before the Dáil rises, finally, will this report be published? So at least we'll have sight of the work. Because I have campaigned for years that the means testing of social welfare payment is absolutely out of date and anomalous. Thank you Deputy O'Keefe. And yes, you and I have discussed this at length on many occasions. And you're right, some of the savings or the capital allowances for means tests do have to be changed. I agree with you there. Yes, my officials are finalising the report. And as soon as I get it, I'll give you a commitment now that I'll share it with you and I'll go back to them now after these questions are over and I'll find out where it is. And as soon as I get it, I will share it with you because a lot of what you wanted to do, I want to do too. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for downloading 🙏
If you publish this material on social media, we would be very grateful if you tagged VideoParliament. It helps us reach more people and keep building a transparent archive of Irish politics.
