Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 3

Written Answers - Pension Provisions.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

138 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will pay retirement pension to all those who have 40 years of social welfare contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27097/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I understand the Deputy is referring to people who have paid social insurance for 40 years and whose employment is then terminated, so by implication the question refers to a reduction in the qualifying age for retirement pension.

Retirement pension is available to those who are aged 65 and have retired from the workforce. Certain social insurance contribution conditions must also be satisfied, namely that the person commenced paying social insurance before reaching the age of 55; has at least 156 or three years contributions paid and has a yearly average of at least 24 contributions paid or credited from the time s/he started paying social insurance contributions.

The proposal by the Deputy would obviously have budgetary implications and I have no plans to make any change to these qualifying conditions at this time. However, as I outlined in my budget speech to the House, my Department will be undertaking a review of the qualifying conditions for both retirement and old age contributory pensions early next year and I will report to the House on the outcome of that review in due course.

I would also point out that where a person aged 55 or over opts to retire from the labour force or is made redundant, s/he may qualify for a weekly pre-retirement allowance, which is means tested and payable until the person reaches the age of 65.