Written answers
Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
State Pensions
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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383. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of means-tested, non-contributory State pension in each of the past five years to date, the number, if any, reviewed or disallowed in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46738/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The table below shows the number of state pension non-contributory recipients over the past 5 years, the number of control reviews undertaken and the number of reviews which resulted in a pension termination.
| Number of Recipients (year-end) | Number of Control Reviews Undertaken | Number of Control Reviews Which Resulted in Claim Termination | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 September 2023 | 99,452 | 10,191 | 605 |
| 2022 | 97,729 | 12,869 | 459 |
| 2021 | 95,010 | 8,075 | 253 |
| 2020 | 95,465 | 4,248 | 218 |
| 2019 | 94,854 | 7,161 | 537 |
State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
For the purposes of the means test, at initial application stage and throughout the lifetime of the pension claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investments they and, if applicable, their spouse/civil-partner/cohabitant hold. Once a state pension non-contributory is awarded, there is a legal obligation on every recipient and, where relevant, their qualified adult dependant, personal representative or agent, to notify the Department of any changes in circumstance that might impact on the pension recipient’s entitlement.
All state pension non-contributory recipients are notified at the time of their initial claim award and in subsequent claim review decision communications and periodic ‘changes in circumstance’ mail shots issuing, that their pension is a means-tested payment and that they are obliged (under provisions set out in social welfare legislation) to notify the Department of any change in their circumstances that may affect their continuing pension entitlement.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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