Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
287. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if the person concerned meets the PRSI contribution requirements to qualify for the State pension (contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53984/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 16 November 2020. Entitlement to State pension can only be confirmed on receipt of a completed application which will allow for the contribution records of my Department to be assessed and verified. To date, there is no record of an application for State pension.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the current records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 182 full-rate paid contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard State pension (contributory).
To qualify for a mixed insurance pension based on their full-rate and modified-rate contributions, 520 paid contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate paid contributions with the remainder made up of modified-rate paid contributions. As the person concerned has 182 full-rate paid contributions, this falls short of the requisite 260 full-rate paid contributions needed for the mixed insurance pension.
Where a person aged 66 or over does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for State pension (contributory) or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for the State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 96% of the State pension (contributory).
The quickest way to apply for State pension is online through MyWelfare. I have, however, arranged for paper application forms to be posted to the person concerned at their home address, should they require them. It is also open to any person aged over 66 to apply for the Fuel Allowance or Household Benefits Package regardless of any entitlement to a State pension.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
