Vol. 554 No. 5
1669 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a reassessment of the means of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be arranged to ascertain if this person is entitled to an old age non-contributory pension. [15838/02]
The person concerned was in receipt of widow's non-contributory pension at the reduced weekly rate of €75.55 or £59.50 until May 2000. Payment of pension was then discontinued, as the person concerned failed to substantiate the disposal of capital arising from the sale of her farm and dwelling. An appeals officer subsequently upheld the deciding officer's decision.
On foot of the Deputy's representations, the file of the person concerned was referred to a local officer of this Department for a further review of her means. On receipt of their report her entitlement will be considered by a deciding officer and she will be notified of the outcome without delay.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
1670 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the situation regarding a pro rata retirement pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [15840/02]
1706 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is only receiving ?73.70 old age contributory pension when this person believes they are entitled to the maximum amount. [16315/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1670 and 1706 together.
The person concerned applied for retirement pension on 5 March 2002. He had reached 65 years of age in November 2001. To qualify for a standard rate retirement pension, a person must have a yearly average of at least 24 reckonable social insurance contributions over the period from 1953, or from the start of the contribution year in which they entered insurance, if later, to the end of the last full contribution year before reaching age 65.
According to my Department's records, the person concerned has a total of 267 reckonable contributions paid or credited over the 47 year period January 1954, the year he entered social insurance, to April 2001. This resulted in a yearly average of six. Accordingly, he does not qualify for retirement pension and he was notified of the deciding officer's decision on 29 August.
The person concerned was also insurably employed in the United Kingdom. Details of his UK insurance record have been requested from the British authorities so as to enable his entitlement to an EU pro rata retirement pension to be examined. He will be notified of the outcome of this in due course.
The person concerned has also paid self-employment contributions which, although not reckonable for retirement pension, can be taken into account for entitlement to an old age contributory pension at age 66. The person concerned will qualify for a 75% rate old age contributory pension with effect from 22 November, the Friday following his 66th birthday, at the weekly personal rate of €110.50.
The person concerned was initially informed that he would qualify for a 50% rate pension. Subsequently further information came to my Department's attention regarding an additional year of self-employment contributions which, when taken into account, results in the higher entitlement.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims are made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
