Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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371. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a widow's pension; if her application will be reviewed with a view to granting payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41206/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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To qualify for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, a person must:

• be a widow, widower or surviving civil partner;
• satisfy certain social insurance conditions; and
• not cohabit with another person as a couple.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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372. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views with regard to the blind pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41236/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a number of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.

The primary social assistance scheme for people who are blind or visually impaired is the Blind Pension, which is a means-tested payment payable to those aged between 18 and 66. Means-testing of Blind Pension is a statutory requirement under social welfare legislation. The means test plays a critical role in determining if an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency - be that illness, caring, unemployment or disability.

Applying a means-test not only ensures that the recipient has an income need but also that scarce resources are targeted. The means assessment reflects the fact that there is an expectation that people with reasonable amounts of income or capital are in a position to use these resources to support themselves, so that social welfare expenditure can be directed towards those who need it most.

By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure. In line with most social assistance payments, deductions permitted for Blind Pension include PRSI, union dues and pension contributions.

My Department is committed to consulting on proposals to reform long-term disabilities payments. In this regard, I launched a Green Paper last week at a meeting with stakeholders and a public consultation to reform disability payments in Ireland. The consultation period will run until 15 December and details are available www.gov.ie/disabilitypaymentsreform

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.