Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 2

Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

55 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the special measures, if any, he will introduce in the context of the forthcoming budget or otherwise with a view to improving the pension situation for widows and widowers with particular reference to allowance for mortgage where this exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24637/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the value of a person's own home is excluded from the means assessment for the widow's-widower's non-contributory pension. In addition, rental income is not counted for the means-test where the pensioner would otherwise live alone.

The yearly value of any other property belonging to the person is calculated as follows: the first £2,000 of the capital value of the property is excluded, the yearly value of the next £20,000 of the capital value of the property is assessed at 7.5 per cent; the yearly value of so much of the capital value of the property as exceeds £22,000 is assessed at 15 per cent.

Any outstanding mortgage on property assessed under the above rule is deducted from the capital value and the remainder is assessed as above.

There is no provision in social welfare legislation, to allow deductions for mortgage payments in relation to the family home, for either the widow's/widower's non-contributory pension. Any proposals in this regard would fall to be considered in a budgetary context.