Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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168. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a pension for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51642/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.  For the purposes of the means test; cash income, including foreign pensions, the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home), and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant holds are assessable.

An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 30 August 2021.  Following an assessment of the income and assets of the person concerned, including income from their spouse’s employment, the Deciding Officer determined that the weekly means of the person concerned exceeded the permissible statutory weekly limit of €262.50, and their application was disallowed.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 8 September 2021, together with the reasons for the decision and their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review of the decision, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.  There is no record that an appeal was received from the person concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.