Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
514. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for the State pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9211/22]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned will reach pension age on 26 February 2022. Their application for State pension (contributory) was received on 16 February 2022. The person’s State pension (contributory) entitlemen will be examined by a Deciding Officer and they will be notified of the outcome.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. Factors such as an individual’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment affect the rate of pension entitlement.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has had periods of self-employment. I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance record to issue to them. A qualifying condition for State pension (contributory) for self-employed contributors is that all self-employment liabilities must be paid in full. Failure to discharge any outstanding liabilities for any years of self-employment contributions may result in a delay in the date of eligibility for State pension contributory. The person concerned is therefore advised to ensure that self-employment liabilities have been paid.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
