asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the case of an applicant (name supplied) in Limerick for a contributory old age pension; and if he will take steps to reduce the average yearly contributions necessary to qualify for such pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Contributory Old Age Pension.
19.
The applicant in this case failed to satisfy the statutory contribution condition for the award of a contributory old age pension which requires a person to have a yearly average of not less than 24 contributions paid or credited over a prescribed period.
Reduction of this minimum average requirement of 24 is not at present contemplated.
20.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is prepared to give credit to ex-members of the Garda who have failed by a narrow margin to qualify for contributory old age pensions due to their failure to have the necessary stamps, so that they can qualify in the same way as existing gardaí will qualify.
Members of the Garda Síochána, who have been insured persons under the Social Welfare Acts from 2nd October, 1972, are not covered for old age contributory pensions and the question of credits does not therefore arise.