Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2023
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) might qualify for the State pension (contributory); if their case might be considered as a matter of urgency given their work record; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22360/23]
View answerThe person concerned will reach pension age on 21 May 2023. An application form for State Pension (contributory) was received on 22 February 2023.
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.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 347 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).
They were notified in writing of this decision on 20 April 2023, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and appeal.
Both the homemaker’s scheme and home caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory) to avail of either of these schemes.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (contributory). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to the person.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
