Vol. 416 No. 6
413 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons qualifying for mixed insurance pro rata pensions only get a similar reduced rate in respect of adult dependant allowance; and whether this rule is out of line with that applied in other parts of the social welfare system.
Regulations were introduced in November 1991 enabling people who have gaps in their social insurance records as a result of having been insured for periods in public service type employment and who, as a result, fail to qualify for contributory old age or retirement pension. These new arrangements provide that in cases of a "mixed" insurance record a pro rata pension will be payable, which will be proportionate to the periods of insurance completed at the rate appropriate for old age/retirement pension purposes. Any increases of pension payable in respect of an adult dependant will be calculated on a similar basis.
The new arrangements are similar to those which apply under EC Regulations to people who have mixed insurance in a number of different EC member states. A similar formula applies under various reciprocal agreements on social security to which Ireland is a party.
I believe that these arrangements represent a fair and equitable basis for the treatment of people with mixed insurance records.
People qualifying for the new pro rata pensions are also eligible for additional benefits such as free electricity, free television licence and free telephone rental.
