Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:72. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a representation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61148/22]
View answerWednesday, 7 December 2022
Questions (72)
Written answers
The person concerned applied for a State Pension (contributory) payment on the 10 February 2022.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 353 full-rate contributions and 60 modified contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).
They were notified in writing of this decision on 26 November 2022, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and/or appeal.
The spouse of the person concerned applied for the fuel allowance on the 22 September 2022. The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.
From January 2023, there is a new means threshold for people aged 70 and over, of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means were €1267.25. As this exceeded the new means threshold for the household, the application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.