Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will have their pension entitlements reviewed to allow them to qualify for a maximum pension rather than the reduced pension that they are currently in receipt of; and the rationale of the decision that has led to this anomaly. [38740/24]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 6 December 2011.
In general, public servants who joined prior to 6 April 1995 paid modified contributions which are not reckonable for the standard state pension (contributory). However, such employees generally have an occupational pension, the level of which is related to a number of factors, including years of service.
To be eligible for the standard state pension (contributory) an individual must have at least 520 full-rate contributions. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.
According to the records of my department, the person concerned has a yearly average of 13 full-rate contributions from 1962 to 2011. This gave entitlement to €138.70 per week. The person concerned was also considered for a mixed Insurance pension based on their full rate and modified contributions. The calculation of their full rate and modified contributions, gave entitlement to €120.70 per week.
As the pension calculation based on the full rate contributions was financially more beneficial to the person concerned, they were awarded €138.70 per week.
I have arranged for a statement of the person’s social insurance record to issue to them. If they consider that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services office, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384 and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.
My Department introduced a number of reforms to the state pension (contributory) including a provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks).
If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for long-term carers contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive.
The quickest way to apply for LTCCs is online at MyWelfare.ie if the person has a verified MyGovID account. Further information is available on the Government website at gov.ie/pensions.
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the State Pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of €266.00 per week.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
