Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 June 2024
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for refusal by her Department for a review of an application for State pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26695/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a 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, cash income, including any additional pension(s), the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home), and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant hold or co-hold, are assessable.
The person concerned applied for state pension non-contributory on 29 January 2024, and their case was assigned to a Social Welfare Inspector on 2 February 2024, for their assistance in establishing the person’s entitlement to the payment.
Following the return of the case by the Inspector, the person’s application was disallowed on 8 May 2024, for the reason that they failed to fully disclose their means by not providing all the documentation requested.
A decision letter issued to the person concerned on 8 May 2024, outlining the decision and offering them the right to seek a review or to appeal the decision by writing to the Chief Appeals Officer, within 21 days, outlining the reason for their appeal.
A review of the person’s entitlement was carried out following receipt of further documentation submitted to the Inspector, who submitted a report to the Deciding Officer on 27 May 2024.
The Deciding Officer reviewed the person’s entitlement on 11 June 2024, deciding to uphold the decision of 8 May 2024, for the reason that they have not supplied all of the documentation requested by the Inspector.
The Deputy's Parliamentary Question will be taken as a request for a further review of this case. The Deciding Officer will arrange for the Department's Inspector to contact the person concerned again in relation to the outstanding information. On receipt of the Inspector’s report, the Deciding Officer will make a decision on the State Pension (non-contributory) entitlement of the person concerned and will notify them of the outcome without delay.
