Michael Ring
Question:254 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the arrears of their pension from 21 November 1997 to 5 April 2001. [14992/03]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
A payable order for the amount due is in course of issue to the person concerned.
Michael Ring
Question:255 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the contributions which are accredited to insurance numbers for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, including pre-1953 years; if this person's record can be linked with their US social security record to enable them to get a pension; and if this person has sufficient contributions to qualify for a pension based on these combined contributions. [15030/03]
According to my Department's records, the person concerned has a total of 22 contributions paid since first entering insurance in 1948. This record is insufficient to qualify him for a standard rate of old age contributory pension or the special half rate pre-1953 pension. Under reciprocal arrangements with the US his Irish insurance from 1953 has been combined with his US insurance and he qualifies for a pro-rata old age contributory pension from 12 March 1999. The current weekly rate of the pension is €5.80. He is also entitled to living alone allowance, the current rate of which is €7.70. Details of payment arrangements have been requested and on receipt of these, the pension will be put into payment and arrears paid. Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims are made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.