Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
376. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a non-contributory pension will be re-instated for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45746/22]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of state pension non-contributory since 12 June 2009. A review questionnaire issued to the person on 20 June 2022 for completion and return, to determine if they were receiving their correct weekly pension entitlement. The completed questionnaire was returned on 27 June 2022. Following on from the returned questionnaire, on 29 June 22, the Deciding Officer sought from the customer the most recent six months financial statement for his financial account. The letter also notified the person that failure to submit the requested statements may result in the suspension of their payment.
The requested statements were not received and as a consequence on 5 September 2022, the State pension non-contributory payment was suspended. An advance notice of the suspension from that date should have been provided to the person but due to an oversight this did not happen. Once we became aware of the oversight, their payment has been immediately re-instated. The Deciding Officer telephoned the person concerned and confirmed that their due payments will be available for collection at their nominated post office on Friday, 23 September.
A reminder for the requested information was issued on 13 September 2022 so the Department can conclude its means review. The Department will be in contact with the person concerned over the coming period in this regard. On completion of the review, the person will be notified of the outcome, in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
