Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
1126. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rate of pension a person (details supplied) is in receipt of; if her attention has been drawn to correspondence in relation to missing contributions from the person's record; if the inclusion of same will alter the pension rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2664/20]
View answerThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 9 June 2016 and was awarded a pension at 90% of the maximum rate with effect from their 66th birthday.
Their pension entitlement was subsequently reviewed in February 2019 under a new total contributions approach to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods. The person concerned indicated that they had not been a primary carer, and their pension entitlement remained unchanged.
Following correspondence received from the person concerned regarding their social insurance record from 1969 to 1972, the matter was referred to my Department's Central Records Section for a review of contributions for that period. Additional information was requested from the person concerned on 8 January 2020. A reply to this correspondence was received in Central Records on 3 February 2020 and the matter has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation.
When the investigation is complete, the person's contribution record will be reviewed on foot of the Social Welfare Officer's report. A review of their State pension (contributory) entitlement can then be carried out and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
