Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is referring to the contributory or non-contributory rate in his commitment in Budget 2007 to raise the qualified adult allowance to the level of State pension in three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7970/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Since taking Office this Government has made the needs of older people a priority with the inclusion of several commitments in the Programme for Government aimed specifically at this group. These included a commitment to raise the qualified adult increase for the spouses and partners (age 66 or over) of contributory pensioners to the level of the State pension (non-contributory). Spouses and partners of non-contributory pensioners may receive a pension in their own right at age 66.

To this end, Budget 2007 provided for an increase of €23.70 per week in the qualified adult payment where the qualified adult is aged 66 or over, bringing it up to a maximum rate of €173 per week. This measure benefited some 35,500 couples. The new maximum rate is 86.5% of the target rate contained in the Government commitment. It is my intention to complete the process of aligning the rates in question within three years.