Emmet Stagg
Question:64 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals he has to provide pro rata pensions to applicants with a partial social insurance record who at present receive no pension as they are a few contributions short.
Written Answers. - PRSI Contributors' Pensions.
The present conditions for entitlement to retirement and old age (contributory) pension require that a minimum number of contributions must be registered (paid or credited) on behalf of the claimant from the date of entry into fully insurable employment to the year prior to attaining pensionable age. A minimum yearly average of 24 contributions gives entitlement to the minimum rate of retirement pension. In the case of old age (contributory) pension the minimum average is 20.
I have introduced special arrangements for certain groups of people whose record of full insurance was insufficient to qualify for pension. In October 1988, I provided pro rata pensions for persons with gaps in their insurance records caused by the operation of the former remuneration limit for social insurance.
From November this year, pro rata pensions will be payable to persons with a mixture of full rate and modified rate social insurance who would otherwise fail to qualify for pension.
The eligibility conditions for social welfare pensions generally are at present being examined by the National Pensions Board as part of their report on the development of a new national pensions system. It is expected that this report will be completed this summer. The contribution conditions for pensions, including the question of pro rata entitlements, will be addressed in that report.