Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2024
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a further review of entitlements might be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43857/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 21 May 2023. A state pension (contributory) application was received from them on 22 February 2023.
A decision letter issued on 20 April 2023 to advise the person concerned that their application was disallowed as they did not satisfy the requirements. The records of my Department show the person concerned has 347 paid contributions which is less than the 520 paid contributions needed to qualify for State Pension (contributory).
The records of my Department show that Homemaking periods and HomeCaring periods have been awarded to the person concerned. However, these can not be used to satisfy the requirement for 520 paid contributions and are only reckonable for pension when the minimum number of paid contributions has been satisfied. The person concerned has also been awarded Long Term Carers Contributions. However, as the periods awarded are less than 1,040 weeks, these are not reckonable for pension purposes.
An application for State Pension (non-contributory) was received on 12 May 2023. A decision letter issued on 18 May 2023 to advise the person concerned that they did not qualify for this pension as their household means were in excess of the statutory means limit.
It is open to the spouse of the person concerned to apply for an increase for a qualified adult of their pension. The Increase for Qualified Adult (IQA) allowance is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.
Where a qualified adult has weekly means of up to €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment. The means assessment also includes income from the capital value of savings.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
