Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
405. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider increasing the capital means threshold for women over 70 years entitled to a non-contributary pension who had previously been entitled to a full pension as part of the deserted wives' payment. [2991/26]
View answerState Pension (Non-Contributory) is a social assistance means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means-test, from application stage through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held, including any changes that occur.
Social welfare legislation provides that means tests take account of the income and assets of the person (and their spouse or partner, if applicable) applying for the relevant scheme. The means assessment includes income from sources such as employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments and other sources. It also includes property owned, other than the family home, and capital such as savings, shares, and other investments. Income earned under the rent-a-room tax relief scheme is exempt from the means test.
An applicant can have savings or assets of up to €20,000 and earnings of up to €200 per week from paid employment and still qualify for a full State Pension (Non-Contributory). The first €30 per week of means does not affect the rate of the pension. After that first €30, the pension is reduced by €2.50 for every €2.50 of means. If a person’s assessed weekly means is over €292.51, they will not be eligible to receive a State Pension (Non-Contributory) Pension.
There are no specific provisions in the means assessment for State Pension (Non-Contributory) for those who had previously been in receipt of a deserted wives payment from this Department nor are there specific provisions in relation to the age of the applicant.
The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in ensuring that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
Currently, my Department is conducting a review of means testing within the social protection system. The aim is to examine various means-tested schemes and identify any issues related to their respective means tests. With over 140 schemes and services, many of which are means-tested, this is a complex and detailed task.
It is my intention that the review's findings will guide decisions regarding potential changes to means testing in future Budgets.
The review is nearing completion 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 warrant further consideration. However, any prospective changes to means testing arrangements will need to be evaluated and considered within the broader context of overall policy and budgetary considerations.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
