Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
448. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if the issues will be addressed in relation to exchange rates in the case of a person (details supplied); if the person would earn more money each week on the State pension instead of their Polish pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37434/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned notified my department on 19 April 2021 of a change in their means and circumstances and a review was carried out on their disability allowance (DA). Means were assessed from a foreign pension with effect from 26 May 2021 and the person concerned was informed of this in writing on 6 May 2021.
The currency conversion rate which was used to assess the means was the European Central Bank rate on the day we received the information which was 19 April 2021 as this was the most advantageous conversion rate for the person concerned. Regulations state that the exchange rate between two currencies shall be the reference rate published by the European Central Bank (ECB). Where there is a significant fluctuation in the exchange rate then our customers can request a review of their DA entitlement.
On 31 May 2021 the person concerned requested that his case be referred to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) and his file was submitted to them on 2 July 2021. They will be in contact with him in due course regarding his appeal.
Notification that the foreign pension for the person concerned had been suspended from 1 June 2021 at their request was received by this department on 2 June 2021 and a further review was carried out on their DA entitlement.
Under social welfare legislation all income and the value of all property of which the person has directly or indirectly deprived himself of in order to qualify for the receipt of DA are assessable as means. The decision of 6 May 2021 was upheld on review and the person concerned was notified of this in writing on 2 July 2021. The deciding officer issued a further letter clarifying their assessment of means on 8 July 2021. The appeal of this decision is currently ongoing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
