Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2019
609. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of letters issued to State pension (contributory) recipients as part of the ongoing review of the increase for qualified adult payment payable with the pension. [39847/19]
View answerAn increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to State pension (contributory) (SPC) claimants whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source do not exceed a means test income limit.
As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, reviews of means-tested payments are carried out on an ongoing basis.
Where a review of IQA on SPC occurs, the primary claimant is contacted by my Department to notify them that their continuing entitlement to this means-tested payment is being examined and details of the means of their qualified adult are requested. Reviews occur for a number of reasons, some are instigated by my Department as part of planned control activity; some occur where changes arise, such as employment status of IQA; and others are carried out at the request of claimants themselves.
It is expected that 10% of claimants with IQA in payment will be reviewed this year (approximately 6,000) under the scheme's control measures and around 5,400 review letters have issued this year to date.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
