Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
701. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an entitlement to a basic social welfare payment exists in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14720/20]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned submitted an application for a Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance with effect from 6/4/2020. This application was disallowed on the basis that his income is in excess of the prescribed limit for his family size and that the excess income is deemed adequate to meet his needs. A decision letter dated 27/4/2020 issued to the person concerned advising him of his right to appeal the decision of the Deciding Officer to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The person concerned also submitted an application for a State Pension (Contributory) with effect from 16/4/2020. Unfortunately he did not qualify as he did not satisfy the qualifying conditions. A qualifying condition for the State Pension (Contributory) is that a person must have at least 520 paid full rate social insurance contributions before their 66th birthday. A decision letter dated 16/4/2020 issued to the person concerned advising him of his right to appeal this decision to the SWAO.
It is open to the person concerned to submit an application for a State Pension (Non-Contributory). This is a means-tested payment where a person doesn't qualify for a contributory pension based on their social insurance (PRSI) contribution record or if they only qualify for a reduced rate of State Pension. Entitlement to State Pension (Non-Contributory) is subject to a means test. Items which count as means include cash income, including foreign pensions, the value of any property (excluding a person's own home) and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant may have. In order to qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) a person must be habitually resident in the State.
According to the records of my Department there is no record of a Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment application in respect of the person concerned. However as the person concerned is 66 years of age, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for receipt of this income support.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
