Widow's Pension Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2015

Thursday, 9 July 2015

Ceisteanna (84)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 9 June 2015, if employment undertaken in Sligo town, secretarial work for two years and further employment in Teeling Street in Sligo for one year between 1974 and 1976, have been taken into consideration when calculating a widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28088/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Entitlement to widow(er)s or surviving civil partner’s pension is based on either the social insurance record of the applicant or that of their deceased spouse or civil partner, but not both.

The social insurance record of the person concerned consists of 129 paid and credited social insurance contributions in respect of the period between 1974 and 1976. This record is not sufficient to qualify the person for pension in their own right. The person concerned was awarded a widow(er) or surviving civil partner’s contributory pro-rata EU pension with effect from the 3rd April 2015, based on the combined Irish and United Kingdom social insurance contributions, paid and credited, of the person’s late spouse.

Payment of the pension awarded will commence as soon as the Department is notified, in writing, of the persons preferred method of payment.