Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) qualifies for contributory/non-contributory State pension, keeping in mind their husband’s entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46020/23]
View answerThe person concerned will reach pension age in May 2024.
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.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has no paid or credited contributions recorded. Since they do not have 520 paid full-rate contributions, they will not qualify for State pension (contributory).
To qualify for a pension under EU Regulations, an individual must have full-rate paid contributions in Ireland and in one or more EU member states. The insurance records of other Member States can then be combined with the Irish full-rate contributions to satisfy the 520-contribution condition. The rate of entitlement is based on the proportion of Irish full-rate contributions to the person’s total combined Irish and EU social insurance contributions.
As the person concerned does not have full-rate contributions in Ireland, they cannot be considered for a State Pension (Contributory) under EU Regulations.
I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system last September in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations.
One of the measures announced is the introduction of flexibility to the State Pension (Contributory), allowing a person to claim their State Pension (Contributory) between the age of 66 and 70 where they can use this period to establish entitlement.
Another important reform agreed by Government was the enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks), it is open to them to apply for the Long-Term Carer's Contributions (LTCC). The periods of care-giving do not need to be consecutive.
The equivalent of paid contributions will be attributed to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record. I expect to bring the legislation required to introduce the LTCC before the Oireachtas soon, with the scheme being fully implemented from January 2024. My Department has launched an online system for people to register for LTCC. This will facilitate the expeditious processing of LTCC upon enactment of the legislation.
Where a person does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for a state pension (contributory), or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one the following -
• The State Pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment. The maximum rate is equivalent to 95% of the full rate State Pension (contributory); or
• An increase for a qualified adult, equivalent to 90% of the full rate State Pension (contributory) where their spouse is in receipt of this pension
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
