Niamh Smyth
Question:935. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17739/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (935)
Written answers
The person concerned is in receipt of the State Pension (contributory) at the maximum weekly personal rate of €265.30. The increase for a qualified adult on their State Pension (contributory) was paid to 30 June 2022.
An increase for qualified adult 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 the means limit. Where a qualified adult has weekly means in excess of €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.
As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of all means tested payments are carried out. Following a review, the qualified adult of the person concerned was assessed with personal means of €376.50 per week. As this exceeded the allowable limit of €310.00, the qualified adult payment was stopped from 30 June 2022.
The person concerned appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office; the appeal was disallowed, and they were notified of the outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.