Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
1034. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a pension by a person (details supplied); if their pre-1979 record has been made available from PeoplePoint; if not, the reason for the delay; and if the pension due from February 2019 will be expedited. [44309/19]
View answerThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 28 February 2019. Their entitlement to this pension was examined based on their contribution history, including their Pre 1979 record which was made available to my Department. I am advised that the person concerned does not have the required 520 full-rate contributions to qualify for a standard State pension (contributory).
Provisions exist for the award of a mixed insurance pro rata state pension, where a person has periods of PRSI coverage from employment in the public or civil service. The person’s pension entitlement to this pension was determined under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.
The pro rata pension entitlement of the person concerned was assessed as 67.21% of the maximum pension rate, based on their social insurance record of full-rate contributions and credits, modified rate contributions and credits, together with homecaring periods. This is the most financially beneficial rate of State pension (contributory) based on their individual circumstances and the correct rate of pension commensurate with their contribution history. They have been notified in writing of this decision on 29 October 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
