Vol. 540 No. 1
381 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an old age pension on foot of combined PAYE and self-employment contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19819/01]
The person concerned is entitled to a pension with effect from 21 November 1997, the date from which pensions were introduced for people with a yearly average of between ten and 20 contributions in the relevant average test period. Her entitlement is calculated on the basis of her combined insurance contribution record as an employee from 1953 to 1959-60, inclusive – 349 contributions – and that as a self-employed contributor from 1990/91 to 1994/95, inclusive – 260 contributions – giving her a yearly average of 14 – actual 13.8 – over the 44 year period to 1997. She is not entitled to pension prior to this date as she has not the necessary average of 20 contributions required prior to 21 November 1997.
A pension book payable from 26 January 2001 issued to her local post office in Carbury, County Kildare, on 29 March 2001. A cheque for the arrears, in respect of the period 21 November 1997 to 25 January 2001, issued to her on 1 May 2001.
Pension was refused initially as her self-employed contributions had not been included in determining her entitlement. The error and inconvenience caused to her are very much regretted.
