Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 7

Written Answers. - Eligibility for Retirement Pension.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

68 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork re-examined who, under the present regulations of his Department, cannot be granted a retirement pension as she worked during the years 1953 to 1956 and did not work again for thirty years; and if he has any proposals to amend the date, 1953, to some fairer and more suitable date.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

One of the requirements for receipt of retirement pension is that the claimant must have a yearly average of at least 24 social insurance contributions paid or credited from January 1953 when the unified system of social insurance came into effect, or the time they started insurable employment, if later.

In the case raised by the Deputy the person has an average of 16 contributions since 1953 and accordingly, does not qualify for a retirement pension.

The issue of gaps in insurance and their effects on pension entitlements was one of the issues dealt with in the Final Report of the National Pensions' Board which was presented to me recently. The report and recommendations of the board are being studied within my Department and I will be bringing forward proposals on the issues addressed in the report as soon as possible.