Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
848. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the information campaign undertaken by her to inform persons affected by changes to the State contributory pension scheme that came into effect in April 2012; her future plans for an information campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38913/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 6 April 2012, the minimum social insurance contributions required to qualify for a State pension (contributory/transition) increased from 260 contributions to 520 contributions. This change had been provided for in legislation since 1997 and has featured in all of my Department’s relevant communications, information leaflets, booklets and on the Department’s website since then. Officials of my Department held meetings in January with the customer groups representing older people to outline the changes to State pension (contributory/transition) that were being introduced this year including the increase in the minimum contribution requirement. Feedback was sought from these groups and included in an information pack that was prepared to further publicise the changes to the scheme.
The finalised information pack was published in early March on the Department’s website, www.welfare.ie and on twitter and was made available through the Citizens Information Board website www.citizensinformation.ie. It was widely circulated to customer representative groups including those representing older people, working age groups, farming groups, trade unions, employer groups, accountancy bodies etc. It was also forwarded to all members of the Oireachtas. Presentations on the introduction of these changes were also made at the Department’s regular briefings with customer representative groups and to members of the public over the course of the year.
I am satisfied that information on the introduction of the changes has been disseminated extensively. The relevant customer representative groups were consulted at an early stage, the information pack was circulated widely, including to members of the Oireachtas, and it is available on the websites of my Department and the Citizens Information Board.
