Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for pension based on a combination of Irish and overseas contributions that have yielded a lesser pension to the applicant than those based solely on single-country contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54421/23]
View answerUnder current eligibility conditions, an individual must have at least 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State Pension (Contributory).
If a person was employed in another EU Member State, or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, their entitlement to a pro-rata state pension (contributory) based on a combination of their insurance record in another EU Member State, or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, and their Irish insurance record is also examined.
Under the regulations, their social insurance record in the EU Member State country, or one with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement can be combined with their Irish insurance record to give entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension.
The person is paid the pension which is financially more beneficial to them. The pension awarded is dependent on a claimant’s work history and insurance record and could be either the standard State pension (contributory) or the pro-rata pension.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available. However, I can confirm that at the end of November 2023, 8% of SPC awarded claims are based on a combination of Irish and foreign insurance.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
