Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1071. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a State pension for a person (details supplied) will be expedited, approved and backdated to the date of the first application; the reason for the delay and the fact that the original application was mislaid. [42280/22]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned reached pension age on 31 January 2022. The Department has no record of receipt of an application for State pension (contributory).
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 equates 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.
I arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record to issue to them on 9 August, together with application form for State pension (contributory). On receipt of completed application form, the person’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) will be examined by a Deciding Officer and they will be notified of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
