Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
177. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement that has been had with the Minister for Finance to ensure that adult dependant recipients who are 80 years and over an increase for a qualified adult are included for increase of payment which presently is only available to State pension recipients over 80 years and over; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe over 80 allowance is an increase of €10 per week which is automatically awarded to qualified recipients of social welfare payments, including the State Pension (contributory), State Pension (non-contributory) and the Widows, Widowers and Surviving Civil Partners Pension on attaining 80 years of age. An Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where the pensioner has a spouse or civil partner who is financially dependent on them, and who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State pension (contributory) in his/her own right or does not qualify for the State Pension (non-contributory) due to means. The over 80s allowance can only be paid to the primary recipient - as it is an increase on that primary payment - and any proposed changes would need to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
