Qualification for the State Pension (Contributory) is based on social insurance contributions, both paid and credited. As those under 16, and over 66 do not pay PRSI, any time spent working outside that timeframe cannot count towards this qualification.
From 2020 onwards we plan to have qualification for the contributory pension based on the Total Contributions Approach (TCA). The TCA ensures that the totality of a person’s social insurance contributions, as opposed to the timing of them, determines what their final pension outcome will be. The details on how the new approach will be implemented will be finalised later this year following a period of public consultation that is currently open.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.