Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
634. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be included in the upcoming pensions review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2635/19]
View answerSince the end of September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of pensioners born on or after 1 September 1946 who have an entitlement to and are being paid a reduced state pension (contributory) under post Budget 2012 rate bands. Their rate of payment is now being formally reviewed under legislation recently enacted. Given the number of pensioners involved in the review this is expected to take a number of months to complete.
Those individuals who have an underlying entitlement to a state pension (contributory) but are currently beneficiaries of a higher rate increase for a qualified adult (IQA) payment on their spouse or partner’s pension will also be included in the review. This work will commence in Quarter 2, once primary state pension (contributory) claimants have been progressed.
Where the outcome is that the person's state pension (contributory) is the highest rate payable, they will be transferred onto that higher rate payment without delay and they will receive arrears backdated to March 2018, or their 66th birthday if later.
Where possible, my Department will use information already held to assist in the reviews. For example, a deciding officer will consider awarding HomeCaring Periods where a person’s gap in employment coincides directly with a period for which they received certain social welfare payment such as Child Benefit (for a child up to age 12) or Carers Allowance or Benefit. Additional information will be requested in writing from pensioners in relation to unexplained gaps in their social insurance record if required to complete their review. Information requests will also explain how to access my Department’s on-line service to provide the relevant information. On receipt of the requested information, their pension review will be carried out and they will be notified of the outcome in writing.
If a pensioner does not qualify for a rate which exceeds their current weekly entitlement, they will continue to receive their existing payment. No entitlement rates will be reduced as a result of this review.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
