Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
508. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of State pensions (non-contributory) selected for review each month since the start of 2020, in tabular form; the number of reviews in which the payment was suspended pending the outcome of the review; the number of reviews which were requested by the recipient of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24837/20]
View answerState pension non-contributory, a social assistance scheme, is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
For the purposes of the means test, it is necessary at the outset for a state pension non-contributory applicant to provide full details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments they hold. Following the award of pension, a reporting obligation continues to apply whereby the pension recipient must notify the Department in a timely manner of any changes in their circumstances that may impact on their pension entitlement.
In addition to this reporting obligation, under its Control Strategy, the Department carries out rolling reviews. The number of monthly reviews carried out to end August 2020 are shown in the table below:
|
2020 |
No. of Reviews |
|
January |
587 |
|
February |
449 |
|
March |
338 |
|
April |
198 |
|
May |
176 |
|
June |
374 |
|
July |
227 |
|
August |
123 |
It is not the practice of the Department to suspend pension payments pending the outcome of a routine review. The number of reviews instigated by the claimant requested by the Deputy is not available.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
