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State Pensions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2016

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Questions (353)

Bríd Smith

Question:

353. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if any provision is made or can be made to persons in receipt of a British state old age pension, the real value of which has declined dramatically since Brexit, and who had this pension taken into account during a means test for benefits here. [37646/16]

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Written answers

Social Assistance payments act as a safety net for people who have insufficient income and who do not qualify for a contributory payment. The use of a means test is to ensure that scarce resources are directed to those in greatest need.

Payments from the United Kingdom (UK) are assessed as income under current legislation. In assessing means derived from payments received from non-European Monetary Union (EMU) States, the Department uses the conversion mechanism provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on Social Security for Migrant Workers. The exchange rates for converting sterling and other non EMU currencies are published quarterly in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Department obtains this rate at the beginning of each quarter and uses it in all conversions during the course of that quarter irrespective of whether the value of the currency concerned rises or falls in that period.

It is open to any person in receipt of a social assistance payment to request that his/her entitlement be reviewed if they wish. It is important to note, however, that any such review will involve a full reassessment of all of the customer’s means to ensure that the person continues to receive the correct payment in line with their overall entitlement and such reviews cannot of their nature just focus on the income derived from the UK. When conducting such a review, the conversion rate used is that applicable to the date of last increase in the sterling payment of the UK State Pension or the rate applicable in the subsequent quarter if that rate has been published by the date of the decision and is more favourable to the customer.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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