Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1785. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date from which the increase for a qualified adult payment as part of the State pension (contributory) has been means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34926/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The current arrangements for the means testing of the increase for a qualified adult payment as part of the State pension (contributory) were introduced in section 15 of the Social Welfare Act 1995. The first regulations implementing these arrangements were subsequently introduced in March 1996.

The rate of the increase for a qualified adult depends on various factors including weekly income, the State Pension rate of the primary claimant, and whether the qualified adult is aged over or under 66 years. An example of the current rates are shown in the following table. The rate is tapered when gross weekly income is between €100 and €310. These tapered rates are adjusted if primary rates are adjusted in the annual Budget.