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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Insurance.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

18 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will conduct an early review of anomalies for citizens with pre-1953 insurance in line with the 2000 budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1912/00]

Prior to 1953 three different types of contributions were payable – national health insurance, widow's and orphan's pension and unemployment insurance contributions – which gave specific entitlement only to the benefits of the schemes under which they were paid. The unified system of social insurance was introduced in 1953 and the first major extension to the range of contingencies covered came in 1961 with the introduction of the old age contributory pension scheme.

While contributions paid prior to 1961 contained no pension element, it was decided to count all such contributions paid under the unified scheme towards qualification for the new pension. Special transitional arrangements were also made for people who were close to reaching pension age at that time, which permitted certain contributions paid before 1953 to be taken into account for satisfying the yearly average test.

In addition, provision was made for pre-1953 contributions, paid under the National Health Insurance Acts, to be taken into account for the purposes of satisfying two of the qualifying contribution conditions for the old age contributory pension, namely that a person must have entered insurance at least ten years before pension age and have, at least, 156 contributions paid. This arrangement still applies.

As I indicated in my budget speech, the Department has been examining ways in which further recognition can be given to pre-1953 contributions for those people who failed to qualify for a pension and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area in the context of this year's Social Welfare Bill.

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