John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1146. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will confirm that the information that is outstanding relative to the claim for an increase in pension for a qualified adult in the case of a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be reopened and expedited. [30635/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable.  Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable.  If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.  Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means are assessed as half of the total amount.  The family home is not included in the means assessment.

As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of all means tested payments are carried out.  In the case of an increase for qualified adult (IQA) on SPC, the primary claimant is contacted by my Department to notify them that their continuing entitlement to the means tested IQA payment is being examined.  A questionnaire is required to be completed to include details of the means of their qualified adult.  Additional documentation is not requested for the majority of reviews.

A review letter and questionnaire issued to the person concerned on 13th May 2021.  As no response was received a reminder letter issued on 6th July 2021.  The person responded on13th August 2021 submitting the review questionnaire.  Further information was requested on 15 October 2021, but to date the customer has not responded to this communication. 

This information request will be re-issued to the person and once all the outstanding information is submitted a decision will be made on the matter.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.