Written Answers Nos. 1021-1040
1021. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); if all contributions regarding their employment periods have now been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38147/23]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
To qualify for IP, an applicant must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. PRSI classes A, E ,H & S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
An application for IP was received from the person concerned on 13 January 2023. The Department's records indicated that she had 254 reckonable paid PRSI contributions at date of application. Accordingly, her application was refused on 26 January 2023 on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not met. A subsequent review of her complete contribution record has now been conducted to confirm the record is correct. Unfortunately, there is no entitlement to IP in this instance.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1022. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a pension review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38179/23]
View answerState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and 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.
The person concerned is in receipt of a state pension non-contributory. Based on their assessed weekly means, they are entitled to a reduced-rate pension payment, together with a living alone increase, telephone support allowance, and a fuel allowance (payable during the winter season).
A Social Welfare Inspector commenced a review of the person’s state pension non-contributory on 12 July 2023. On receipt of the Inspector's report on 1 August 2023, a Deciding Officer issued a communication to the person concerned requesting additional information necessary to complete the assessment of means and to establish the person's state pension entitlement.
The Deciding Officer and Inspector have subsequently spoken to the person concerned and clarified what documentation is outstanding.
On receipt of the requested documentation, the review of the person’s state pension non-contributory entitlement with be completed without delay and the decision communicated in writing to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1023. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection whether she has assessed the level of non-payment to single mothers of maintenance due, and the hardship it causes; if her Department has assessed the possibility of the state becoming more involved in the enforcement of such payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38207/23]
View answerThe Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group was published last November. The Government accepted the Group's recommendations in relation to the social welfare system. I am pleased to say that, pending the introduction of the necessary legislation, my Department has already implemented some of the recommended changes on an administrative basis.
My Department is no longer applying the "efforts to seek maintenance" requirement to One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment. This had been done on an administrative basis since the end of last year; however, I have since signed a Regulation to remove this requirement from the statutory provisions.
In addition, the liable relative provisions are not being applied to new claims for One-Parent Family Payment. This means that my Department will no longer seek to recoup a portion of claim costs from the non-resident parent in these cases. I want to be very clear that removing these provisions does not replace or supersede the primary responsibility of parents to maintain their children.
Furthermore, child maintenance payments will be disregarded in the means test for social welfare payments. This measure will mean that many lone parents currently on reduced rates of payment will see their payment increase and some additional lone parents will qualify for a payment. It is estimated that this measure will be of direct benefit to approximately 16,000 lone parents at a cost of approximately €10 million per year.
Work to remove the liable relatives provisions and the means test is at an advanced stage. These changes require amendments to both primary and secondary legislation as well as changes to some of my Department’s systems, application forms and processes. In terms of the changes to primary legislation, draft heads have been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny in the coming weeks. In the meantime, as I have already mentioned, on an administrative basis, the liable relative provisions are not being applied to new claims.
There was no consensus among the Group members regarding the establishment of a Child Maintenance Agency and there are no plans to establish such a body. My Department has no role with regard to the enforcement of maintenance orders. The Minister for Justice is planning significant reforms in the family justice area. I am particularly pleased that the Family Justice Strategy includes a commitment to undertake a review of the enforcement of maintenance orders. I understand that this is ongoing and due to be completed in the coming months.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1024. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38214/23]
View answerCarer's allowance 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.
An application for Carer's Allowance was received from the person concerned, in respect of their sister, on 16 August 2023.
A Deciding Officer has confirmed their entitlement to Carer's Allowance from 17 August 2023 and correspondence in this regard issued to the person concerned on 4 September 2023. The first payment will issue via the person's nominated payment method on 14 September 2023. Arrears for the period 17 August 2023 to 6 September 2023 will also issue on this date.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1025. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if basic supplementary welfare is currently in payment given his pending appeal and ill health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38253/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 2 December 2022. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that both the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied and they did not satisfy the conditions of being habitually resident in the state.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 9 February 2023, and they were given the right to a review or an appeal.
Further medical evidence and a valid Stamp 4 permission were received. While the HRC condition was met, the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was still not satisfied. The person concerned was notified in writing on 15 March 2023.
A review of the decision of 15 March 2023 in relation to not satisfying the medical qualifying conditions was carried out. The original decision was upheld, and the person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 29 March 2023. They were also given the right to request a review or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
The person concerned lodged an appeal with the SWAO. This appeal was registered in the Appeals Office on 19 May 2023. An Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified directly in writing of the outcome of the appeal.
I can confirm that this individual currently receives a weekly Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1026. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the support available to people affected by flooding who do not have insurance. [38283/23]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead Department for severe weather emergencies. My Department provides assistance to eligible households in the immediate aftermath of emergency weather events under the humanitarian assistance scheme.
The humanitarian assistance scheme, administered by the local Community Welfare Service (CWS), was activated to assist any householders affected by recent weather events, including Storm Antoni and Storm Betty. This scheme is open to those affected by these weather events to apply for assistance.
The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to provide income- tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.
• Assistance is not available under the scheme for losses which are already covered by insurance.
• The scheme does not cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.
• Any additional properties that are not occupied and lived in as the applicant’s primary residence are not covered.
The income test for humanitarian assistance is more generous than that which applies in the case of social welfare schemes generally. For example, a family consisting of a couple and two children with a gross household income of €70,000 or less will receive 100% of the amount allowable in respect of their application. A reduced or tapered level of support can be provided in cases where such families have income more than €70,000.
If any homeowner affected by the recent weather events, such as Storm Antoni and Betty, needs to access these supports, they can contact the Community Welfare Service by phoning 0818 60 70 80.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1027. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is on the appropriate rate of disability allowance, given the fact that they have recently commenced work and that they have notified her Department of same. [38287/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
My Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 23 May 2023, notifying a change of circumstances regarding her DA.
I can confirm that, following a review, it was found that the person concerned had an increase in her means from her previous assessment. This was assessed as weekly means and an updated, reduced weekly rate of DA was applied to her DA claim.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 24 August 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1028. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position of employees who are obliged to retire from their employment at the age of 65 years as regards eligibility for a State pension; the benefits available to these ex-workers between the age of 65 and 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38292/23]
View answerIn February 2021, I introduced the "Benefit Payment for 65 year olds" in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to provide a benefit payment for people who are aged 65 and who are required to retire, or who chose to retire, without a requirement to sign on, engage in activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. This new payment was designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 years of age but who do not qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
Last year, in response to the recommendations from the Report on Commission on Pensions, the Government agreed that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would introduce measures that allow, but do not compel, an employee to stay in employment until the State Pension age. The implementation of these measures is in process.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1029. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can clarify her plans in relation to the proposed introduction of the total contributions approach (TCA) method of assessment for the State pension (contributory) as the only method of assessing an individual for the State pension (contributory); if she will consider retaining indefinitely the use of both the average assessment method and the TCA to assess D class (PRSI) public service workers for the State pension (contributory) in the interests of not disincentivising the valuable contribution which retired D class public service workers can make to the Irish economy and society as part-time workers in other sectors up to the age of 66; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38370/23]
View answerOne of the landmark reforms to the State Pension system that I announced last September is a ten-year phased transition to the Total Contributions Approach and the abolition of the Yearly Average method, as recommended by the independent Pensions Commission following its in-depth analysis of the State pension system.
This fairer system, which removes existing anomalies with the Yearly Averaging system, will calculate pension payments based on the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life, with significant pension credits granted to people who have taken time out of the workplace for caring responsibilities.
During a transition period, individual pension rates will be based on the best of the Total Contributions Approach, or a rate based on a mix of the Yearly Average and Total Contributions Approaches, with the proportion accounted for by Yearly Average reducing from 90% to zero over 10 years and the proportion accounted for by the Total Contributions Approach increasing commensurately. Officials in my Department are currently working on the legislation and systems to support the introduction of this change, which will be effective from 2025.
Those with mixed-rate contributions, such as those who have paid at class D and class A rates over the course of their working career, will see their entitlement to the State Pension (Contributory) evaluated in the same manner. Their entitlement to an occupational pension through their work in the public service will remain unaffected.
Where a person reaches State Pension age and does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a SPC or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one of the following:
• The means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory) (SPNC) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC; or
• An increase for a qualified adult, amounting up to 90% of a full rate SPC pension where their spouse has a contributory pension; or
• Where their spouse/civil partner is deceased, a widow's/widower's/civil partner's contributory pension, which they may claim either based on their spouse's or their own social insurance record. The qualifying conditions for this require fewer contributions paid (260) than the SPC and the current maximum personal rate for those aged 66 or over is €265.30, i.e., the same as the maximum rate of the SPC, with allowances (e.g., the Living Alone Increase) payable where applicable.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1030. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending the free travel scheme from five years to ten years for those returning to work having previously claimed disability allowance, blind pension, or illness benefit (10% of travel pass holders). [38418/23]
View answer1031. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending the free travel scheme from five years to ten years for those returning to work having previously claimed disability allowance, blind pension, or illness benefit (5% of travel pass holders). [38419/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1030 and 1031 together.
The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.
As recommended in the “Make Work Pay” Report, and to help remove barriers preventing people with disabilities returning to employment any person that moves from certain long-term disability schemes such as Disability Allowance to employment may retain their Free Travel entitlement for a further period of 5 years, where they previously had the entitlement to Free Travel on the scheme(s).
Persons who move from Blind Pension to employment do not lose their entitlement to a Free Travel Pass. Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for a Free Travel Pass and therefore there is not an existing entitlement for this group.
Providing an estimate of the cost of measures outlined by the Deputy to those who previously were in receipt of Disability Allowance is not possible as the cost is determined by the usage of the extra passes provided and not by the increased number.
Payment to the transport companies who provide free travel services is complex and multifaceted which also hinders the provision of an accurate costing of the proposed measure.
The proposed measure in essence would further uncouple the link between receipt of particular social welfare payments and eligibility for the free travel scheme and would so fundamentally alter the scheme that it would likely move it away from the Department of Social Protection to become a general access to transport initiative.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1032. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of full-time community welfare officers employed in Meath in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38437/23]
View answerThe delivery of crucial and locally based Community Welfare Services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens across County Meath is a priority for me and for my Department. There are 5 Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) engaged in the delivery of Community Welfare Services in County Meath, of which 4 are CWOs working face-to-face with clients in Navan, Kells and Trim, and the remaining CWO is mostly engaged in claims processing work but is also available to meet with clients as required. There were 5 CWOs in County Meath in 2022 also.
If a person is unable to travel to these locations in County Meath, a CWO can make arrangements to meet with the person at a mutually agreed location, including at their home.
While local face-to-face engagement with clients continues to be a cornerstone of the CWS, it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application for assistance and any person, located anywhere across the Country, who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO.
CWOs working on the national phoneline are dealing now with approximately 2,000 callers per week. This service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas who can have all their community welfare needs met without the requirement to travel.
As you may be aware, a person can also now apply online for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) via www.MyWelfare.ie. This service means that there is no requirement for a person to travel to make a claim if that is their preference.
Alternatively, a person can make an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices. This form can also be requested by calling freephone 0818 60 70 80 or at this link www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. The completed application form together with any supporting documentation should be returned to Community Welfare Services, Western Support Team, PO Box 13599, Galway, Freepost FGA 7634 where the claim will be processed through its initial stages promptly and assigned to a local CWO to finalise. If any further clarification or information is required on a claim the person will be contacted directly by community welfare staff.
The CWS continues to provide a flexible service to meet the different needs of customers, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our client’s needs.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1033. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38493/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 1 June 2023.
It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 12 June 2023 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 14 June 2023.
The Appeals Officer has advised that a summary decision to allow the appeal has now been made and a decision letter confirming the outcome issued on the 4th September 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1034. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the fuel allowance threshold in particular for people who live alone; her plans to increase the fuel allowance threshold in line with inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38533/23]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria, this ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
In Budget 2023 the Government provided an unprecedented response aimed at easing the financial pressure on households throughout the State. This response included the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme. Consequently, from January of this year, a new Fuel Allowance means threshold was introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The means threshold is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. Under the formula used to assess means for the Fuel Allowance for over 70s, the threshold for capital that is disregarded in the assessment was increased from €20,000 to €50,000. The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory).
The Government will continue to monitor the cost-of-living situation closely and how it can support people on low incomes and those on social welfare payments who are at risk of fuel poverty. However, any further widening of the thresholds for accessing the fuel allowance scheme can only be considered while taking account of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
Finally, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1035. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a UK social insurance record has been received to complete the review of an invalidity pension application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38545/23]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The person concerned does not have the required 260 paid contributions in Ireland for IP and his UK contribution has been requested from the UK Authorities. This was first requested on 20 December 2022 and has been requested again on a number of occasions since, the latest request issuing to the UK on 28 August 2023.
To date, we have not received his UK contribution record. My Department will continue to remind the UK Authorities to process this request.
Unfortunately, claims processed under Bilateral/EU Regulations are more complex and can take longer to finalise as the Department is highly dependent on receiving necessary information from other States. The Department will continue to endeavour to establish the entitlement of the person in question and he will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1036. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2024 if the living alone allowance was increased by €5 per week. [38557/23]
View answerThe Living Alone Increase (LAI) is an extra payment for recipients of certain social welfare payments who live alone. It is an increase of €22 per week available to persons aged 66 or older who live alone and are in receipt of the State Pension, Widow(er) or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Deserted Wife's Benefit. It is also available to those aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement, or Blind Pension.
There are currently 235,946 recipients of the LAI across all schemes. Increasing the rate of payment by €5 per week would result in an estimated additional cost of €61.4m in the first year.
Any proposed change to the rate of payment would have to be considered taking account of overall Government policy and in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1037. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within her Department; if any section of her Department currently makes use of A.I., and if she will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if she has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I. [38574/23]
View answerMy Department continues to research the potential use of A.I. technologies in the future.
At present, my Department has a limited use of A.I. An A.I. Chatbot (on the MyGovID platform) is being used at present. This Chatbot provides the customer with advice in real time on how best to use the MyGovID service and incurs approximately €50 in monthly charges.
In line with “AI – Here for Good”, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland, the Department remains disposed to evaluating the potential use of A.I. technology in the future in line with related strategies and legislation.
1038. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the transition to a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) model and phasing out of the yearly average approach will be fully implemented; if a specific timeline can be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38639/23]
View answerOne of the landmark reforms to the State Pension system that I announced last September is a ten-year phased transition to the Total Contributions Approach and the abolition of the Yearly Average method, as recommended by the independent Pensions Commission following its in-depth analysis of the State pension system.
During a transition period, individual pension rates will be based on the best of the Total Contributions Approach, or a rate based on a mix of the Yearly Average and Total Contributions Approaches, with the proportion accounted for by Yearly Average reducing from 90% to zero over 10 years and the proportion accounted for by the Total Contributions Approach increasing commensurately.
This fairer system, which removes existing anomalies with the Yearly Averaging system, will calculate pension payments based on the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life, with significant pension credits granted to people who have taken time out of the workplace for caring responsibilities.
Officials in my Department are currently working on the legislation and systems to support the introduction of the ten-year phased transition to the Total Contributions Approach and the abolition of the Yearly Average method, which will begin from 1 January 2025.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1039. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when the TCA model is fully implemented; if she can advise the impact on people with mixed contribution records whose pensions could be significantly reduced (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38640/23]
View answerOne of the landmark reforms to the State Pension system that I announced last September is a ten-year phased transition to the Total Contributions Approach and the abolition of the Yearly Average method, as recommended by the independent Pensions Commission following its in-depth analysis of the State pension system.
This fairer system, which removes existing anomalies with the Yearly Averaging system, will calculate pension payments based on the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life, with significant pension credits granted to people who have taken time out of the workplace for caring responsibilities.
During a transition period, individual pension rates will be based on the best of the Total Contributions Approach, or a rate based on a mix of the Yearly Average and Total Contributions Approaches, with the proportion accounted for by Yearly Average reducing from 90% to zero over 10 years and the proportion accounted for by the Total Contributions Approach increasing commensurately. Officials in my Department are currently working on the legislation and systems to support the introduction of this change, which will be effective from 2025.
Those with mixed-rate contributions, such as those who have paid at class D and class A rates over the course of their working career, will see their entitlement to the State Pension (Contributory) evaluated in the same manner during the transition period as set out above. Their entitlement to an occupational pension through their work in the public service will remain unaffected .
Where a person reaches State Pension age and does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a SPC or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one of the following:
• The means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory) (SPNC) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 95% of the SPC; or
• An increase for a qualified adult, amounting up to 90% of a full rate SPC pension where their spouse has a contributory pension; or
• Where their spouse/civil partner is deceased, a widow's/widower's/civil partner's contributory pension, which they may claim either based on their spouse's or their own social insurance record. The qualifying conditions for this require fewer contributions paid (260) than the SPC and the current maximum personal rate for those aged 66 or over is €265.30, i.e., the same as the maximum rate of the SPC, with allowances (e.g., the Living Alone Increase) payable where applicable.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1040. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a benefit claim (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38662/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 1 June 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 12 June 2023 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 14 June 2023.
The Appeals Officer has advised that a summary decision to allow the appeal has now been made and a decision letter confirming the outcome issued on the 4th September 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
