Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his policy on the individualisation of social welfare pensions; the cost to the Exchequer of introducing such a change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22168/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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In the programme for Government and in Sustaining Progress, the Government has committed itself to increasing the payment for qualified adults aged 66 or over to the same level as the personal rate of the old age non-contributory pension. The estimated cost of this commitment is €44 million. Considerable progress has already been made in this regard with the qualified adult allowance on the contributory payment now standing at €138.50 or 83% of the maximum rate of old age non-contributory pension, currently €166.00 per week. Overall increases in the qualified adult allowance on the old age contributory pension amount to €56.47 per week since April 2000. At the same time, the qualified adult allowance on the old age non-contributory pension has increased by €44.05 per week and now stands at 66% of the full personal rate. New pension claimants can opt to have the allowance paid directly to their spouse or partner. The administrative and legislative implications of enhancing these provisions to ensure that more qualified adults can receive a personal payment are being examined and a decision in this regard will be made as soon as possible. Further progress towards Government targets in respect of the qualified adult allowance rate will be made in future budgets.