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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 1989

Vol. 387 No. 10

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

79.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 27 February 1989 following an examination on 16 February 1989 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Notification of the disallowance issued on 20 February 1989 informing the person concerned of her right to appeal the decision. No appeal has been received to date.

80.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he will consider the introduction of pro rata pensions for those who do not qualify for an old age contributory pension because they have not started paying social insurance for the first time before reaching the age of 56.

The requirement under the old age contributory pension scheme that a person must have entered insurance at least ten years before pension age in order to be eligible for pension has applied to this scheme since it was introduced in 1961. The purpose is to ensure that a reasonable period of social insurance coverage has been completed before entitlement to the old age pension is acquired.

The possibility of modifying the conditions governing entitlement to old age contributory pension to enable persons over age 56 to qualify for this pension was examined in detail by my Department when social insurance was being extended to the self-employed. Following consideration of a number of possible options, including that of paying pro rata pensions to those affected, it was considered that the net cost of such arrangement would be prohibitive.

The existing contribution conditions for entitlement to pensions under the social insurance system are being examined at present by the National Pensions Board and the general question of whether provision should be made for the award of pro rata pensions is one of the issues being studied. The final report of the board is expected to be completed by the end of the year and I will be giving full consideration to their recommendations on this and other issues at that time.

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