Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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245. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason and the circumstances in which a person (details supplied) has had a pension withdrawn. [10532/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was the beneficiary of an Increase for qualified adult (IQA) on their spouse’s state pension (contributory) until 21 October 2010. The IQA is a means-tested pension increase that can be awarded to a state pension (contributory) recipient whose spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where their adult dependant’s personal means from any source(s) do not exceed certain weekly income limits. This Increase is payable at the maximum rate where the adult dependant’s weekly means are assessed at €100 or less. Where their weekly means exceed €100, and up to a maximum of €310, a tapered, reducing IQA scale applies. Weekly means greater than €310 per week exceed the current statutory limit for this payment.

Following a review of the IQA in 2010, it came to light that the person concerned had undisclosed means from employment and capital from a sale of property. As a result their means were in excess and this allowance was stopped.

If the circumstances of the person concerned have changed, it is open to their spouse to reapply for this allowance on their state pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.