Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 743: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will increase the income disregard for an adult dependent of a contributory old age pensioner in view of the increases in the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25130/05]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 744: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will increase substantially the amount allowed to be earned by a dependent of an old age contributory pensioner from the current figure of €88.88 (details supplied). [25152/05]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 755: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will consider increasing the income limit for qualified adult dependents from the present €88.88 per week; when this figure was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25531/05]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 756: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his proposals to considerably increase and index link the amount of earnings permissible to dependants of old age pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25608/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 743, 744, 755 and 756 together.

For the purposes of most social welfare payments, entitlement to an increase for a qualified adult is based on the income of the spouse or partner. A qualified adult increase at the maximum rate is payable where the spouse's or partner's income is €88.88 per week or less and tapered reduced rates are payable where income is less than €220 per week. The lower threshold was last increased in the 2000 budget while the upper threshold has been increased in each successive budget since then, from £135 in 2000 to €220 in 2005.

Any change in the current arrangements relating to entitlement to qualified adult allowances would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources.