Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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227. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to indicate the correct level of payment payable to persons (details supplied) in their particular circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2180/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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232. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to indicate the current position in regard to the appropriate pension entitlements in respect of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2304/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 232 together.

The person concerned is in receipt of the State Pension (contributory) at the maximum rate payable. He is also in receipt of an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) in respect of his spouse.

The 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.

Following a review of the IQA on 7 February 2023, it was decided that the IQA was payable at the reduced weekly rate of €134.40 based on the means of their spouse. The decision was appealed to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The person concerned was notified on 3 January 2024 that the decision was upheld.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.