Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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1153. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if income earned in a family home under the rent a room scheme is taken into account for the means test for the increase for qualified adult on the State contributory pension; if so, when this became the case; the reasoning for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57935/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Recipients of certain social welfare payments, including the State Pension (Contributory), can claim an increase in their payment in respect of a Qualified Adult, subject to a means assessment.

An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is 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 savings, property or other assets are held jointly, the spouse or partner's means is taken to be half of the total amount. The family home is not included in the means assessment.

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of up to €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.

In July 2022, Regulations introduced a disregard of up to €269.23 per week (equivalent of €14,000 over a year) in respect of income from renting a room in a claimant's own home. This disregard means that a social welfare customer can rent out a room in their home for up to €14,000 per annum and this income will not see their means-tested primary social welfare payment impacted.

The Government extended the disregard in 2023 until 17th March 2025. Earlier this year, the disregard was further extended until 17th March 2027.

As provided for in Article 8 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control Provisions) Regulations (S.I. 142 of 2007), amended by S.I. 74 of 2025, this disregard applies when assessing means for an IQA.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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1154. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of households participating in the rent a room scheme in receipt of a State pension; the number of these households in which there is a recipient of the increase for qualified adult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57936/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Rent-a-Room is a tax relief for persons renting a room in their home subject to certain conditions. My Department does not hold any data in respect of this relief, and I therefore regret that I am unable to answer the Deputy's question.