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Social Welfare Benefits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (1171, 1172)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1353 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the adult dependant allowance of an old age contributory pension will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [22849/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An increase for a qualified adult is payable where a spouse is being wholly or mainly maintained by a person receiving old age contributory pension. A spouse is regarded as wholly or mainly maintained where she-he does not have income in his-her own right above €88.88 per week. Where the income is between €88.88 per week and €210 per week a reduced rate of allowance is payable. Once his-her weekly income exceeds €210 per week no allowance is payable.

On foot of a notification received from the wife of the person concerned indicating that she commenced employment on 18 June 2004 with earnings of €234.73 per week, a revised decision was made disallowing the increase that was in payment in her respect. A payable order book containing payment at the maximum single rate was re-issued on 20 September 2004 pending further inquiries. The position was explained to the person concerned and he was requested to submit further information in relation to his wife's earnings.

As it would now appear that the wife of the person concerned has also been self-employed during a period for which an increase was in payment in respect of her, a social welfare inspector has been requested to review the case and determine her earnings for the period in question. On receipt of the inspectors report, the appropriate action will be taken without delay.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

1354 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if seasonal earnings for a 16 week period are assessed on a week to week basis or averaged over the 42 weeks of the year in relation to payment of the qualified adult allowance for the old age contributory pension. [22850/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Where earnings as an employee are received at monthly intervals, the weekly average over the previous two months is taken to determine means in deciding entitlement to the payment of an increase in respect of a qualified adult for old age contributory pension purposes. Where earnings are received weekly or fortnightly, the weekly average over the previous six weeks is taken. Regulations allow, however, for a deciding officer to use discretion in selecting an appropriate period of time in order to determine the amount of average weekly income. In the case of persons who are self-employed, weekly income is normally estimated by reference to the income received in the last complete tax year.

Question No. 1355 answered with QuestionNo. 1316.
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