Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023
386. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons qualified adults on partner’s State pensions did not receive the €200 lump-sum cost-of-living payment in April; if she will consider including this cohort in future rounds of payments given that many of those impacted have little or no access to any other income in their own right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21117/23]
View answer417. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if the cost-of-living measures for families announced on 21 February 2023 include a payment to individuals receiving pensions as qualified adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21684/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 417 together.
The €200 lump sum payment, was paid to 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum was paid in late April and cost approximately €261 million.
This support was paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment.
The payment was made to primary recipients of a qualifying payment only.
The Increase for a Qualified Adult can be awarded to a person whose spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means do not exceed a means test income limit, based on the means held solely or jointly by the qualified adult.
If a person does not qualify for the maximum payment rate for the State Pension (Contributory), he/she may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the rate of the State Pension (Contributory).
