Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
240. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on a pro-rata widow’s contributory pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38428/21]
View answerEntitlement to Widow(er)’s or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is based on the social insurance record of either the applicant or their deceased spouse or civil partner. In order to qualify, a person must have a minimum yearly average of 24 contributions based on either their own or their late spouse’s Irish insurance record. The person concerned has a yearly average of 14 contributions. Her late spouse did not have any Irish social insurance.
Under European Union Regulations, a person’s social insurance record in one or more EU countries can be combined with their Irish social insurance record, to determine entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension. The Department contacted the relevant pension authority in the UK requesting the UK contribution record for the person concerned. The reply, just received, indicates that the person concerned does not have any contributions paid in the UK. Therefore, there is no entitlement to a pro rata pension under their own record. As their late spouse did not have any Irish social insurance there is no entitlement to a pro rata pension based on his record either.
A decision letter has issued to the person concerned today.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
