Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to amend the State non-contributory pension income calculation for land owners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9016/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is concerned in particular about the current arrangements applying in the case of old age pension where a landholder leases land or is otherwise in possession of land which is fallow or idle.

In 2006 the State pension (non-contributory) replaced a range of non-contributory payments for persons aged 66 and over including the old age pension. A wide range of important reforms were announced for non-contributory pensioners, including farmers, in conjunction with the introduction of the new pension. These impacted on farmer pensioners generally including farmers who have let land or are considering leasing their land. All the schemes replaced, featured a common means disregard of €7.60 per week, which had not increased since the 1970s. This general disregard was increased to €20 with effect from September 2006 and was subsequently increased to €30 with effect from January 2007. This means that the first €30 per week of all means, including any means from the letting of land, is not taken into account.

Any further improvements to the means testing arrangements for the (non-contributory) state pension would have to be considered in a Budgetary context and having regard to available resources.