Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds upon which a person (details supplied) was found not to be habitually resident despite their reliance on their daughter for care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31967/23]
View answerState pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the state, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
An application for state pension non-contributory, submitted by the person concerned, was disallowed on the grounds of their failure to provide sufficient evidence of habitual residence since their first arrival in the state. To date, the only supporting documentation submitted has been a letter from the person’s daughter.
The person concerned was notified of the decision on 13 June 2023 and the reason(s) for the disallowance.
Following the Deputy's previous representation in this matter, on 22 June 2023, the Deciding Officer initiated a review of the person's state pension claim and has issued a letter to the person concerned, setting out the evidential requirements to assess their satisfaction of the habitual residency condition, in order to determine their eligibility for state pension non-contributory. On receipt of the requested documentation, a Deciding Officer will review the person's eligibility for state pension non-contributory and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
