Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his policy in relation to relaxing or abolishing the means test for qualified adults on contributory pensions. [32193/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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All contributory payments include, where appropriate, an increase for a dependent spouse or partner. This increase is means-tested with a full increase payable where a spouse's income is less than €100 per week, and reduced rates payable until income exceeds €280 per week. Unlike the means test for non-contributory payments, a household means test does not apply, i.e. a decision is made on the basis of the income enjoyed by the qualified adult only. However, where capital or property (other than the family home) is jointly owned, then the qualified adult will be assessed with 50% of any actual/notional income or capital value deriving from that asset.

As set out in the Agreed Programme for Government, the policy in relation to the means testing of qualified adult payments is to increase the income limits that apply in the means test so that more people will qualify for the allowance. These limits are kept under review in a budgetary context.

The issue of means testing qualified adult payments for pensions is discussed in the Green Paper on Pensions, published on 17 October, although this is an issue which cannot be looked at exclusively in a pensions context, as it applies to all social welfare payments; the consultation process on pensions will provide information which will impact on the future status of qualified adults in the context of social welfare.