Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 October 2005
255 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to increase the threshold on earnings by a dependant in receipt of an old age contributory pension; his views on whether the current threshold is unfair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27036/05]
View answerFor the purposes of most social welfare payments, entitlement to an increase for a qualified adult is based on the income of the spouse or partner. A qualified adult increase at the maximum rate is payable where the spouse or partner's income is €88.88 per week or less and tapered reduced rates are payable where income is less than €220 per week. The lower threshold was last increased in the budget in 2000 while the upper threshold has been increased in each successive budget since then, from €171.42 in 2000 to €220 in 2005. Any change in the current arrangements relating to entitlement to qualified adult allowances would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources.
