Vol. 431 No. 2
77 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will amend social welfare legislation to take into account full social welfare contributions prior to 1953 by people seeking a mixed insurance pro-rata old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Regulations were introduced in November, 1991 enabling people who have gaps in their records, as a result of having been insured for periods in public service type employment, to qualify for pension. These arrangements provide that in cases of a "mixed" insurance record a pro-rata pension will be payable, which will be proportionate to the periods of insurance completed at the rate appropriate for old age/retirement pension purposes. To qualify for a mixed insurance pro-rata pension a claimant must have, inter alia, 208 paid contributions or 260 contributions paid or credited, since 1953 when the unified system of social insurance came into effect.
Prior to 1953 three different types of contributions were payable. These were — national health insurance, widows and orphans pensions and unemployment insurance contributions. These contributions gave specific entitlement only to the benefits of the scheme under which they were paid.
The whole issue of contribution conditions for social insurance pensions are among the issues being addressed by the National Pensions Board in its final report on a new national pensions system. I expect to receive the Board's report shortly and the matter will be considered further in this context.
