Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
816. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to grant all qualified adults in receipt of a pension an additional €10 on turning 80 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26266/16]
View answerThe over 80 allowance is an increase of €10 per week on the basic pension rate, which is automatically awarded to qualified pensioners on attaining 80 years of age. Only one such allowance is payable in respect of each pension.
An Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent (e.g., a spouse who is financially dependent upon them), who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State pension (contributory) in his/her own right.
The maximum rate of an IQA for someone over 66 is €209.00, and so in most cases where it is claimed, such couples have additional income or means above their State pension, as otherwise they would obtain a higher payment by the adult dependent making a claim to the State pension (non-contributory), which is means-tested and has a maximum personal rate of €222 weekly (plus additional allowances, such as the over-80 allowance, where applicable).
Accordingly, I have no plans to increase the rate of the IQA for people who are over the age of 80.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
