Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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315. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the ceasing of the payment of the State pension to a person (details supplied) who suffers from dementia and did not respond to questions posed by her Department due to the condition; if she accepts that the questions asked have now been responded to; if she acknowledges that any delay in restoring this person's pension is imposing severe financial hardship on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43459/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is in receipt of an increase for a qualified adult on their spouse’s State Pension (Contributory).

An increase for 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 the means limit. Where a qualified adult has weekly means in excess of €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 are carried out.

The Increase for the Qualified Adult was reviewed on 28 July 2023. A reminder was issued on 25 August 2023 advising the person concerned of the need to complete and return the form. As there was no response to the reminder, the payment was suspended on 29 September 2023.

I can confirm that my Department received the completed form on 2 October 2023. Following completion of the review, a letter issued to the person concerned informing them that their payment has been reinstated with no change to the rate payable.

Arrears of one week and the payment of the fuel lump sum will issue to the person concerned on Friday 6 October 2023.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.