State Pension (Contributory) Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 May 2016

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Ceisteanna (196)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for contributory old age pension received in each of the past five years to date; where eligibility was determined on the basis of a partnership between spouses; where the relevant self-employed pension contributions under the 1988 Act were made but where pension was refused on the basis that a partnership did not exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12050/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

It is not possible to provide statistics on the number of applications for the State pension (contributory) where eligibility was determined on the basis of a partnership between spouses. The common practice is that a person will apply to Scope section in the Department for a determination concerning their PRSI status in advance of applying for a State pension. The number of applications for recognition of a commercial partnership processed in each of the last five years to date is set out in the following table.

Where retrospective commercial partnership status is approved, persons are in a position to apply for a State pension (contributory), subject to satisfying the qualification criteria.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Year Received	Partnership Status Approved	Partnership Status Rejected
2011	213	14
2012	158	17
2013	197	11
2014	150	9
2015	135	14
2016 - date	50	5