Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
789. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a deferral of a State pension payment to a person (details supplied) in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will be permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16025/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned has been awarded State pension (contributory) at 65% of the maximum rate with effect from their 66th birthday, 27 May 2020. The person’s pension entitlement was reviewed on 3 July 2020; they are in receipt of the correct rate of State pension (contributory), commensurate with their insurance record.
The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced as an emergency measure so that payments could be made as quickly as possible to the large number of people who became fully unemployed due to the pandemic. In common with general jobseeker's payments, the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is payable to people between the ages of 18 and 66. Accordingly, once the person concerned reached pension age, they were no longer eligible for this income support.
Employers in Ireland can claim the temporary wage subsidy for all of their workers, who pay Irish PAYE income tax, from the Revenue Commissioners. In this way workers who are aged over 66 can continue, with the co-operation of their employers, to receive employment income of at least 70% of their normal wage. Further information on the supports available to employees and employers in relation to COVID-19 can be found at www.gov.ie.
Recipients of state pension payments may, depending on their individual circumstances, have access to a range of other income supports not available to unemployed people – including the free fuel allowance, the living alone increase, the household benefits package (gas/electricity), the telephone support allowance, free travel and the free TV licence.
The person concerned may wish to consider applying for State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested, residency-based payment for people of pension age. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the applicant (and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant as applicable). Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
The living alone increase has been awarded to the person concerned with their State pension (contributory). Free travel has also been awarded.
Since fuel allowance is a means-tested payment, information regarding the person's means (bank statements) was requested on 8 June 2020, and again on 10 July 2020. When this information is received, the person's eligibility for fuel allowance can be determined and they will be notified of the outcome. Where a customer is eligible for both the living alone increase and fuel allowance, they automatically qualify for a telephone support allowance.
I have arranged for application forms for the Household Benefits Package and the State pension (non-contributory) to be issued. As soon as these applications are completed and returned, the person’s eligibility for these respective schemes will be determined and they will be notified in writing of the outcome. If assessed with an entitlement to State pension (non-contributory) at a higher rate than their current State pension (contributory) payment, the person will be awarded the more financially beneficial pension. Both pensions cannot be paid concurrently.
Where someone is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for assistance through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Queries in relation to eligibility should be made by phone to their local Intreo Centre.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
