Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2023
340. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will change the rules to allow deserted wives who applied for deserted wives benefit between 3 August 1993 and 2 January 1997 be treated in respect of their income threshold similar to people who applied prior to 3 August 1992; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5482/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeserted Wife's Benefit is a payment made to a woman deserted by her husband. Entitlement to the payment is based on social insurance contributions paid by the woman or her husband as well as a number of other qualifying criteria. The Deserted Wife's Benefit scheme was closed off to new applications with effect from 2 January 1997, when One-Parent Family Payment was introduced.
Some women have continued to receive Deserted Wife’s Benefit because they qualified for the payment before 2 January 1997 and have continued to meet the qualifying criteria.
There is no earnings limit for persons in receipt of Deserted Wife's Benefit where the claim was made on or before 30 August 1992. An earnings limit of €12,697.38 was introduced on 31 August 1992 with a reduced rate payable provided earnings did not exceed €17,776.33. From 3 May 2007 the earning limit was increased to €20,000.
There are no plans to change the qualification conditions for the scheme at present. Where a woman no longer meets these conditions but has an income need she may qualify for another payment from my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
