Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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340. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the mechanisms available by which a person (details supplied) can increase the rate of their State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33421/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned was awarded State pension (contributory) with effect from 1 June 2011.

Based on their contribution record, they were awarded 50% of the maximum rate of pension. Their current weekly payment is €154.70, which includes the over 80 allowance of €10.00.

A number of reforms were introduced to the State pension (contributory) including a provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks). If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for long-term carers contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive. An online application for LTCC is available on MyWelfare.

It is open to the spouse of the person concerned to apply for the means-tested increase for qualified adult (IQA) allowance on their State pension (contributory). An IQA allowance 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 not more 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.

It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which equates to 95% of the maximum rate of State pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.