Vol. 512 No. 6
316 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will qualify for a contributory old age pension when pre-1953 con tributions are taken into account in view of the fact he does not qualify at present. [26677/99]
Pre-1953 contributions are already taken into account in assessing title to both old age contributory and retirement pension schemes to the extent that they can be used to satisfy the ‘total number of contributions paid' requirement. However, I am aware that certain people with pre-53 insurance have failed to qualify for pensions because their contributions are not fully taken into account under the existing ‘Yearly Average' test. As I indicated in my budget speech, my Department has been examining ways in which further recognition can be given to pre-1953 contributions for those people who failed to qualify for a pension and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area in the context of the Social Welfare Bill. Until these are finalised it is not possible to indicate if the person concerned will qualify for a contributory old age pension.
