Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has had a deduction in their pension payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46576/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of a reduced rate state pension (contributory) based on an assessed yearly average of 18 contributions covering the period from October 1962, the date the person entered insurable employment, to December 2010. According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has a social insurance record of 871 reckonable contributions and is in receipt of the correct rate of payment based on this social insurance record. There are gaps in the person’s insurance record from 1968 to 1994, which impact on the overall yearly average of the person concerned, and consequently on their rate of weekly pension entitlement.
An investigation determined that a commercial partnership existed between the person concerned and their spouse. Additional self-employment contributions for years 1994 to 2002 were added to the person’s insurance record, once their outstanding social insurance liabilities had been paid in full. The date of their last payment was 17 April 2013 and in accordance with social welfare legislation, the person was awarded a state pension (contributory) from that date.
The rate adjustment to which the Deputy refers relates to an earlier erroneous award of state pension (contributory) at full rate with effect from 17 April 2013. Their rate of entitlement was subsequently corrected, with effect from 28 June 2013. A letter was sent to the person concerned explaining their payment rate adjustment.
While the person concerned also has modified social insurance contributions, relating to a period of employment from 1962 to 1968, these are not included in the current pension eligibility calculation as would result in a lower rate of entitlement than that which is in payment. Based on the records held by the Department, the person concerned is receiving the most financially beneficial rate of pension entitlement due to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
