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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Insurance Pensions Eligibility.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

192 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline his views on whether there is no longer justification for reducing the pension payable to persons whose insurance record shows averages of stamps slightly below 48 per year, in view of the fact that the new insurance provisions introduced in recent years are extending pensions to persons with far less complete insurance records than those who have been in insurance since 1953 with small gaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The contribution conditions for entitlement to social insurance pensions can give rise to situations where persons who entered insurance early in their careers and subsequently had gaps in their insurance records fail to qualify for any pension payment, despite having contributed for significant periods. I have made major progress in recent years in removing this anomaly. The most recent change I made in this regard was provided for in the 1991 Social Welfare Act in relation to persons with a mixture of insurance at the full rate and at the modified rate as public servants. Insured persons in this category will be eligible from next November for pension payments, the amount of which will be in proportion to the periods of insurance completed at the full rate.

However, situations still remain where the pension entitlements of certain contributors are less than those of other categories who may have contributed overall for shorter periods. The National Pensions Board is currently examining this issue and is expected to recommend changes aimed at providing a fully equitable basis for entitlement to pensions, as between all the various categories of contributors. These recommendations will be contained in the final report of the board which will be completed shortly. I will be giving priority to consideration of the board's recommendations on this matter.

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