Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013
399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 429 of 5 February 2013, if she will investigate the contribution record of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7220/13]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 7 April 2012. According to the records of the Department, she has a total of 303 full-rate paid contributions and 26 credited contributions from 1971 to 2012 which is insufficient to meet the minimum paid 520 contributions condition for a State pension (contributory). In addition, her yearly average of eight contributions is also insufficient. Accordingly her pension claim was disallowed and she was notified of this decision on 18 June 2012.
A social welfare inspector has recently contacted the person concerned and has established that her employment as a school teacher from 1968 to 1969 was on a permanent pensionable basis with the social insurance paid during this period at a modified rate. Therefore, it cannot be used in an assessment for State pension (contributory) entitlement. Her other period of employment 6 months, even if deemed insurable, would not be sufficient to increase her overall record in order to satisfy the qualifying conditions.
