Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1478. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the circumstances under which or reason a person can avail of ten years credited contributions, which is distinct from the 20 years allowed for home making and caring duties, in relation to the total contributions approach for the contributory pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16687/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPRSI contributions can be credited to people in a number of contexts, for example when in receipt of a Jobseekers or Illness benefit payments. Where applicable, these may be used towards PRSI-based social protection payments, including the State pension contributory. To qualify for a credit you must have worked and paid at least one PRSI contribution at PRSI Class A, B, C, D, E, or H and have paid or credited contributions in either of the last two completed tax years. Not all credits are reckonable for a State pension contributory.
Under the interim Total Contributions Approach announced in January, a person who reached pension age after 1 September 2012 and has a 40 year record of paid and credited social insurance contributions, subject to a maximum of 20 years of credits, will qualify for a maximum contributory pension where they satisfy the other qualifying conditions for the scheme.
Up to 20 years of HomeCaring credits, and/or 10 years of other qualifying credits, for example when unemployed or ill, may be used, subject to the total number of credits not exceeding 20 years.
So, for example, a person might receive a maximum pension based on 20 years paid PRSI contributions, 5 years jobseeker credits, and 15 years HomeCaring Credits, over a 50 year period.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
