Vol. 508 No. 1
652 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not receiving the pro rata pension in view of the fact he has paid over five years since 1992; and if he will provide a breakdown of these payments. [17577/99]
A special half-rate old age contributory pension is being introduced this year for self-employed persons who were aged 56 or over on 6 April 1988 – when PRSI contributions for the self-employed were first introduced – and who have at least five years', 260, contributions paid since then.
The records of my Department show that the person concerned has a total of four years', 208, PRSI contributions recorded since April 1992, when he first started paying PRSI. These are paid for the tax years 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96. As he reached age 66 in the 1996-97 tax year, there would not have been a PRSI charge for that year or any future years. On this basis, he does not qualify for the new pension.
Persons who paid social insurance contributions while self-employed and who do not qualify for old age contributory pension or old age non-contributory pension – a means tested payment – are entitled to a refund of the pension element of these contributions. If the person concerned wishes to claim such a refund, he should contact my Department.
