Means-testing of contributory state pension ruled out

SOCIAL Protection Minister Éamon O Cuív has said no plans are in place for means-testing the Contributory State Pension.

Yesterday, Age Action said it had sought confirmation from the minister that the pension would not be subject to means testing.

During a meeting with a range of representative groups, the minister said he wanted to make it absolutely clear that he never said there would be means-testing.

“This is a huge relief for many older people who have extremely fearful that means-testing would come in for a payment which they had towards throughout their working lives,” said Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins.

“Speculation following interviews by the minister a fortnight ago centred around the belief that means-testing was being seriously considered.

“Today’s forthright clarification by the minister is very welcome.”

Mr O Cuív came under sustained pressure in the Dáil recently to confirm or deny that he was considering cutting old age pensions in the next budget. He said on that occasion that he would not pre-empt his Cabinet colleagues by giving any advance commitment on budgetary intentions.

It would be wrong to start answering questions before Cabinet discussion on any issue in the budget, he said.

Last month, Mr O Cuív scrapped plans to cut or withdraw state pensions from spouses of farmers that had been scrapped. The IFA and opposition parties welcomed the move which was backdated to the date when state pensions were withdrawn or reduced and all arrears due would be paid.