Michael Ring
Ceist:190 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not receiving the over 80 allowance in her pension. [6255/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Allowances.
The person concerned applied for a widow's pension in June 1982. She was not entitled to a standard widow's contributory pension. The spouse of the person concerned worked in the United Kingdom between 1948 and 1981 and she qualified for a widow's contributory pension based on a record of his combined Irish and UK contributions. This pension is a pro rata payment based on the proportion of Irish contributions to the total number of Irish and UK contributions combined.
Under EU regulations, thepro-rata principle also applies to the additional allowance of £5 a week payable where the person is over 80 years of age. The pension of £12.30 a week payable in this case includes a pro rata over 80 allowance.