Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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668. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of women denied the non-contributory State pension due to their husband's contributory pension through his employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16821/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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669. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost to the State to allow all women to qualify for the non contributory State Pension, regardless of their husband's pensions or earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16827/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together.

State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a State pension (contributory) or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. In the means test, earnings from employment, self employment, occupational pensions, and foreign pensions are assessed. The value of any property (excluding a person’s own home), savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant holds, are also assessed.

The means test associated with a disallowed claim combines all above listed sources of means and so it is not possible to quantify the number of women whose applications for State pension (non-contributory) were disallowed solely because of their husband's employment.

It is not possible to quantify the cost of awarding the State Pension (non-contributory) to all women in the state based on an assessment of means that excludes their spouses' private pensions and earnings.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.