Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
994. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct level of State pension payable in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12855/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned is in receipt of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory). The person was also awarded an increase for qualified adult in respect of their spouse from December 2008 to August 2016.
Increase for qualified adult is a means-tested payment, based on the means of the qualified adult themselves. A person’s qualified adult can have a weekly income of up to €100.00 and still be eligible for the maximum rate of increase in respect of their spouse. A weekly income of between €100.01 and €310.00 entitles a claimant to a tapered rate of payment. No entitlement exists where the weekly income is above €310.00. Following a review of the qualified adult’s means, it was determined that their weekly means exceeded the current statutory limit of €310.00 and payment of increase for qualified adult ceased from August 2016.
According to the records held by my Department, the spouse of the person concerned has a social insurance record of 520 reckonable paid and credited contributions, for the period from July 1963 to end-December 2008 inclusive. Accordingly, the spouse is in receipt of a reduced state pension (contributory) in their own right, based on an assessed yearly average of 11 contributions. This is the correct rate of contributory pension entitlement based on the record held.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government recently announced proposals for those who qualified for state pension (contributory) since September 2012, whose rate of entitlement was impacted by the 2012 rate band changes. The case referred to by the Deputy is outside this category as they reached pension age before September 2012.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
