Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2024
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons from within or without the EU who have applied for or received a top-up to their national pensions from her Department in order to bring the payments into line with State pension (non-contributory) payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39608/24]
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 income from employment, foreign pensions, 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 holds, are assessable. In the case of a couple their means are assessed jointly, and each person is assessed with half of the total means of the couple.
The Department's records indicate that there are 24,709 recipients of state pension non-contributory that have income assessed from a foreign social security pension or a foreign occupational pension.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
