Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27659/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An increase for qualified adult (IQA) on invalidity pension and state pension (contributory) 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 the 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. Following a review, it was decided that the weekly means of the qualified adult were €333.25. As this exceeded the means threshold of €310 per week the IQA payment was stopped effective from 31 August 2023.

The person concerned appealed the decision in November 2023. The appeal was disallowed on 7 February 2024.

In order to qualify for the household benefits package a person must live alone or only with other persons who fulfil certain criteria. As the spouse of the person concerned is not in receipt of a qualifying payment, such as IQA, the person concerned is no longer eligible for the household benefits package. A letter issued to the person concerned on 4 April 2024.

It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for IQA if their circumstances change.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has had their carer’s allowance payment withdrawn. [27674/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

One of the qualifying conditions is that the means of the person concerned must be less than the statutory limit.

Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

I confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of CA from 18 February 2010.

Once claims are in payment, my Department undertakes periodic reviews to ensure that there is continued entitlement to payment.

On 7th March 2024, correspondence issued from my Department to advise the person concerned that based on their current income it appeared that their means exceeded the statutory limit for continued receipt of CA and that their entitlement to CA was being reconsidered.

The person concerned was offered the opportunity to furnish within 14 days of the letter any other evidence / information before a decision was made by a Deciding Officer.

The customer responded on 5th April 2024. However, no new information was provided and, based on information received to date, the person concerned does not qualify for CA from 8th May 2024 as their means exceed the limit for payment. The last payment of CA issued on 2nd May 2024.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 24th April 2024. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a couple (details supplied) is not in receipt of the maximum State pension (contributory). [27675/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 27 November 2013. A reduced rate state pension (contributory) equivalent to 98% of the maximum rate was awarded. This is based on a total of 1,311 contributions from 1988 to 2013 giving a yearly average of 44 contributions. This pension is currently paid at the weekly rate of €271.90

The spouse of the person concerned reached pension age on 25 July 2020. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 27 March 2023. The state pension (contributory) was awarded based on a yearly average of 31 contributions from 1988 to 2020. It is currently paid at the weekly rate of €249.30 per week.

Following review, the rate of pension increased to €255.70 per week. This is based on 1,378 reckonable contributions, 513 home caring periods and 27 credits from 1972 to 2020. A revised decision has issued. Any arrears due will issue without delay.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.