Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a contributory pension or part thereof notwithstanding the fact that he has a pension from employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46025/23]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 12 October 2021.
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.
To qualify for a mixed insurance pension, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate employment contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 169 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).
I have arranged for a copy of their insurance record to issue. If the person concerned considers that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384 and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.
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 launched an online system for people to register for LTCC. This will facilitate the expeditious processing of LTCC upon enactment of the legislation.
The person concerned previously applied for the means-tested State Pension (non-contributory). This was disallowed on 21 March 2023 as their means were in excess of the limits. This decision was upheld by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 13 July 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
