2027. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of recipients of the non-contributory State pension who avail of the full €200 income disregard as part of the means test; the number of those that earn more than €270 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60357/26]

State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested payment for people age 66 or over, who are legally and habitually resident in the State, and who do not qualify for State Pension (Contributory) based on their record of social insurance contributions, or who may be entitled to a higher rate of payment on the non-contributory pension.

As part of the means test for the State Pension (Non-Contributory), if the recipient and/or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant are in insurable employment, €200 will be disregarded from each of their weekly earnings. Social insurance contributions, superannuation contributions, including My Future Fund deductions and trade union subscriptions will also be disregarded. The balance is assessable as means for pension purposes.

As of the 31 July 2026, there were 101,635 recipients of State Pension (Non-Contributory). Of these, there were 2,234 recipients who were in insurable employment and availing of the €200 income disregard. Of these, 710 availed of the maximum disregard amount of €200. There were 251 recipients who were earning more than €270 a week.

Of the 101,635 recipients, there were 2,891 whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant was in insurable employment and who were availing of the €200 disregard for their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's employment. Of these, 1,805 availed of the maximum disregard amount of €200. There were 1,143 recipients whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant was earning more than €270 a week.

In total, there were 147 claims where both the recipient and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant were in insurable employment and were availing of both the €200 disregard for their own employment and the €200 disregard for their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's employment. Of these, 41 availed of the maximum disregard amount of €400 (i.e. the maximum amount of €200 for their own employment and €200 for their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's employment). There were 21 claims where both the recipient and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant were earning more than €270 a week.