Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
647. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Social Protection for a history of the widow’s contributory/contributory pension application for a person (details supplied); the current status of the claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2322/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned turned pension age on 7 October 2007. To qualify for the standard state pension (contributory) at this time, 260 full-rate paid contributions were needed.
The records of my department show that the person concerned has 239 paid contributions. A letter issued on 19 November 2007 to advise the person concerned that they did not qualify for the standard state pension (contributory).
If the person concerned has a contribution record in another EU country, or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral agreement, there may be an entitlement to a pro-rata Bilateral State Pension if the combined records total at least 260 paid contributions. It is open to the person concerned to request a review of their entitlement and to supply details of their foreign work experience, if any, to include any national insurance numbers from the relevant countries.
If the person concerned has provided full-time care to incapacitated dependents for 20 years or more (1,040 weeks), it is open to them to apply for long-term carers contributions. If eligible, the equivalent of paid contributions will 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 long-term carers contributions is online at MyWelfare.ie. Otherwise, the person concerned can request a pension caring supports application form by calling 01-4715898 or by email to pensioncaringsupports@welfare.ie.
We have no record of any application from the person concerned for the widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) Pension.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
