State Pensions

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Ceisteanna (292)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which non-EU residents, working and living here and having paid tax here, cannot now qualify for a State pension (non-contributory), even though they have worked here and paid their necessary contributions and taxes; if further efforts can be made to ensure workers, who have an undocumented element of work history, can have this period count towards their eligibility when the necessary stamps have been paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37944/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the State, and who do not qualify for State Pension (Contributory), or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.The eligibility conditions for State Pension (Non-Contributory) do not require the taking into account of the social insurance record of an applicant, based on any periods of employment they may have held in the State (or in any EU Member State or country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement).As the State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested payment, income received from any pensions, including those from outside the State, will form part of the assessment.

Where misclassification of employees is detected, the workers record is corrected and employers are required to remit the correct value of contributions back-dated as appropriate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.