Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
184. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of State pension (contributory) recipients who are in receipt of a reduced rate increase for a qualified adult due to the current €100 weekly means threshold; the number who do not qualify due to means exceeding €310; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22766/26]
View answerState Pension (Contributory) is a weekly payment with sufficient social insurance contributions, which is not means tested. It is available from age 66; an Increased rate for a Qualified Adult (IQA, usually spouse or civil partner) may be payable with its rate depending on the IQA's income.
At the end of February 2026 there were 563,039 recipients of State Pension (Contributory) and 43,115 qualified adults. The rate of payment of the IQA has been estimated from payment information from February and March 2026 and is shown below:
|
Rate |
Number of recipients |
|
Full rate |
34,467 |
|
Not full rate |
7,614 |
|
Undetermined, including claims awarded in advance, and claims with arrear payments only |
1,034 |
It is not possible to provide figures on the number who did not qualify due to means exceeding €310.
