Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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148. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will increase the income threshold for the non-contributory State pension, which has not been increased in a number of years as the cut off point is leaving a large number of pensioners without a State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29161/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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State pensions account for the single largest block of social welfare expenditure. This year, my Department will spend almost €7 billion on pensions, with the State Pension Non-Contributory (SPNC) accounting for just over €950 million of this expenditure.

Eligibility for SNPC is means tested and takes into account the income and assets of both the claimant and his or her spouse or partner, where applicable. Capital, property (excluding a person's home), savings and investments, occupational pension, a British or other foreign pension, are assessed as capital and a formula is then used to assess the weekly means from capital. The weekly rate payable depends on the total weekly means of the person or couple. The first €30 of means is disregarded for State Pension Non-Contributory.

It is not clear which income thresholds that the Deputy is referring to in this question. Any changes to the means test for the SPNC would have to be considered in a budgetary context.