Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2723. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 813 of 9 July 2019, the percentage of the 32,307 pensioners who received an increase (details supplied) in their payments in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32782/19]
View answerSince late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate-bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.
The detailed breakdown requested by the Deputy is not readily available, however based on a sample of cases where increases were awarded, the best estimates of review outcomes per category requested is set out below:
| Post review rate (based on sample) | Percentage of pensioners per rate category |
| Maximum rate | 62% |
| 90% - 99% of maximum rate | 24% |
| 80% - 89% of maximum rate | 8% |
| 70% - 79% of maximum rate | 4% |
| 60% - 69% of maximum rate | 1% |
| 50% - 59% of maximum rate | less than 1% |
| 40% - 49% of maximum rate | less than 1% |
| Less than 40% | less than 1% |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
