Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
351. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the increase awarded to pensioners when they turn 80 only applies to the primary recipient and not to the payments made to qualified adults. [49396/13]
View answerThe over 80 allowance is an additional payment of €10 per week automatically paid to recipients of State pension on attaining 80 years of age. It is a benefit paid on the basis of the qualification of the primary person in receipt of the pension payment.
An increase for a qualified adult is normally paid where the qualified adult does not have enough contributions to claim a pension in their own right and it is usually paid on the basis of the contribution history of the primary pension recipient. Any additional benefits attaching to State pension are only paid in respect of the primary contributor.
