Michael Healy-Rae
Question:239. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a pension application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36817/22]
View answerThursday, 7 July 2022
Questions (239)
Written answers
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned reached pension age on 14 December 2021. He was awarded the maximum weekly rate of SPC which is currently €253.30.
An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant 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 does not exceed a means test income limit.
Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment. The weekly means were assessed as €393.42 which exceeded the statutory limit.
Following the receipt of further information, the claim was reviewed. An Increase for the Qualified Adult allowance was awarded, from 14 December 2021, at a weekly rate of €119.70. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 05 July 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.