Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

95 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the pro rata old age contributory pension scheme to widows and widowers; if a widow on a non-contributory widow's pension can switch to an old age contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7100/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the widow(er)'s contributory pension scheme and the possibility of introducing a special 50% pension similar to the 50% old age contributory pension introduced for certain people who were self-employed.

This special old age contributory pension was introduced to address the position of those self-employed people who were 56 years of age or over in April 1988 when compulsory social insurance was extended to the self-employed. This group failed to qualify for a pension under the standard qualifying conditions as they did not satisfy the general requirement of having entered social insurance at least ten years before pension age.

This pension is paid to those who were 56 years of age or over in April 1988 and who have, at least, five years reckonable contributions paid since then. It is paid at a flat rate of 50% of the standard, maximum rate. Increases for adult and child dependants, where applicable, are also payable at 50% of the standard rate.

The qualifying conditions for the widow(er)'s contributory pension are already more flexible than those for the old age contributory pension. For instance, to satisfy the yearly average condition, a widow(er)'s entitlement may be based on either the full social insurance record or the record over the previous three or five years. A widow (or widower) may qualify on either his-her own or the late spouse's insurance record; in addition, social insurance contributions paid or credited under the National Health Insurance Acts since 1936 may be used to satisfy the requirement that 156 contributions are paid.

A person on a widow(er)'s non-contributory pension can transfer to an old age contributory pension on reaching age 66 provided he-she satisfies the relevant social insurance contribution conditions.