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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

674 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs whether instructions have been issued to review the means of widows on non-contributory pensions; the numbers of these cases which have been reviewed in the past 12 months; and the number of these reviews which have lead to a reduction in pension. [17818/99]

Widow(er)'s non-contributory pension is a means-tested assistance payment and as such all income, including income from other pensions, both Irish and foreign, is assessable as means. Where the means of a non-contributory pensioner increase for any reason, s/he is obliged to inform my Department, so that the rate of pension payable may be adjusted, if necessary.

As part of its ongoing programme of control measures, the Department periodically reviews the means of those in receipt of assistance payments, including non-contributory pensioners.

In 1998 the means of a total 665 widow(er) non-contributory pensioners were reviewed. As a result of these reviews, 306 had pensions increased while 319 pensioners had their pension entitlement reduced.

This year a review of widow(er) non-contributory pensioners who are also in receipt of other pensions is being conducted. Approximately 850 pensioners who are also in receipt of a British widows or British retirement pension will have their entitlement reviewed. To date the reviews have been completed in respect of 560 pensioners with 530 cases resulting in a reduction in pension entitlement.
These figures indicate that 94 per cent of pensioners failed to notify my Department of increased means arising from increases in their British pensions as they are required to do. Other reasons for reduction in or revocation of pension payment arising from this review, include remarriage, commencing work or leaving the State.
A further 284 general means review of widow(er) non-contributory pensioners has also been undertaken in 1999. Up to the end of August 1999, 114 pensioners have had their social welfare pension reduced as a result.
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