Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 621: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason payment has been reduced in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10936/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the rules of the scheme, RSS Participants who become entitled to claim the Widow(er)'s Pension (contributory or non-contributory), One-Parent Family Payment or the Disability Allowance while participating on the scheme must claim the social welfare payment.

If successful in their application, their RSS payment is then reduced by the amount of pension due and only a top-up payment is made through their RSS payment. The total combined value of these two payments may not exceed the standard rate payable on the RSS. This explains the reduction in this case. Through no fault of the person concerned it appears that changes in his personal circumstances were not reflected in his RSS payment either correctly or at the appropriate time.

My Department will be in contact with the person concerned shortly to further clarify the situation.