A pensioner who had been receiving the State pension since 2007 saw their payments stopped after officials found agricultural land and Glanbia shares in their name.

The individual had initally been awarded a State pension non- contributory from their 66th birthday in 2007.

But according to the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, "subsequent enquiries established that they held agricultural land in their own name and Glanbia shares".

The minister had been asked by the Fianna Fáil TD, John McGuinness, if the individual's entitlement to a State pension would be reviewed.

But the Minister for Social Protection told the deputy that the "State pension non-contributory is a means tested scheme".

"Assessable means include cash income, foreign pensions, the value of any property/land (excluding a person’s own home) and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant may have," Minister Calleary added.

Pension

According to the minister where land is leased, the means assessment is based on the person's net income from the lease, calculated by deducting allowable expenses from the gross rental income.

"Where land is neither farmed nor leased and is not otherwise productively used, it is assessed on its capital value in accordance with the statutory means test provisions applicable to state pension non-contributory," he added.

The minister also highlighted to Deputy McGuinness that in relation to the case of the person concerned, a review of their entitlement had been carried out earlier this year.

"Initial information provided indicated that the person concerned had no income or shareholdings.

"In accordance with the legislative means test provisions, the capital value of the land and shares, together with other assessable capital, were assessed as means. This resulted in weekly means of €4,266.00," Minister Calleary added.

He said the person concerned had been told this last month and also that they were "no longer entitled to the state pension non-contributory as their means exceeded the statutory limit". 

The minister said that this person has the right to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.