Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Adult on their State Pension (Contributory). An increase for a qualified adult 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.

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.

Following a recent review of this allowance, the qualified adult of the person concerned was assessed with means of €770.00 per week. It has been decided that there is no longer an entitlement to this allowance as their spouse’s weekly means exceeds the statutory limit of €310.00 per week.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 19 June 2023 and informed of their right to review and to appeal.

The decision is from a current date and no overpayment has been raised.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.