James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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186. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the reduction in a State pension to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37545/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied for State pension contributory in 2003 but had insufficient contributions to satisfy the yearly average condition, therefore his application was disallowed.

An application for State pension non-contributory (SPNC) was also made and awarded in April, 2003. SPNC is subject to a means test and items which count as means include cash income, the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home) and the value of any savings and investments. In addition a claimant must be resident in the State.

The Department was notified that the person concerned moved to a nursing home in 2012 and the entitlement to SPNC was therefore reviewed.As the customer no longer derives an income from the farm it now falls to be assessed on a capital value basis and the SPNC payment has been reduced accordingly.

The person concerned was informed of the decision and was advised of their right to appeal the decision.