Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
480. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the State pension (contributory) payment a person (details supplied) is entitled to; the way in which it is calculated; the status of the appeal by the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20504/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate-bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) pension calculation which includes provision for HomeCaring periods.
A request for information about time spent out of the workforce for parenting or caring reasons was sent to the person concerned on 17 January 2019. This letter allowed four weeks to return the additional information, if there was any, and provided a dedicated helpline to support and assist the person making their online application, or to request a paper application.
As the person concerned did not make contact with my Department, on the 9 April 2019 a deciding officer carried out a review based on the information already held by the Department. The person concerned has 1,626 reckonable paid contributions, 24 HomeCaring periods and 238 reckonable credits. This results in a combined total of 1,888, which when divided by 2,080 (equivalent to 40 years), leads to an increase in rate to 90.77% of maximum rate of pension. A review outcome letter was sent to the person concerned outlining their increase in rate and included a copy of their social insurance record used to calculate their rate. Arrears of payment backdated to 30 March 2018 have issued.
There is no record of an appeal received from the person concerned to date.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
