Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
799. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he is aware that the taxation of near-neighbour community payments arising from onshore wind farm developments affects eligibility for non-contributory pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31560/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has over 140 schemes and services, with eligibility for a significant number of these being determined by a means test, including the State Pension (Non-Contributory).
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. Means assessments generally include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions and maintenance payments. They also include assessment of property owned other than the family home and capital such as cash, savings, shares, and other investments.
Means tests and income thresholds are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years, including as part of the Budget 2026 announcements.
Changes to the means tests have been implemented through amendments to the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 and the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) Regulations 2007. Articles 8, 155 and 174 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007, and Article 36 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) Regulations 2007 provide for the disregard of certain specified income when assessing the means of a person.
The disregard of payments from the Community Benefit Fund, under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), is not currently provided for in social welfare regulations. Disregarding income arising from payments from the Community Benefit Fund would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all its social assistance schemes. The outcome of this review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
