Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress to date on the introduction of a personal pension entitlement for pensioner spouses currently in receipt of the qualified adult allowance to be set at the level of a full non-contributory pension, as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10954/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is anxious to ensure that as many people as possible can qualify for contributory pensions in their own right and, in this regard, a number of measures have been introduced over the years which makes it easier for people to qualify for pensions. These include the reduction in the yearly average number of contributions required for pension purposes from 20 to ten and the special half rate pension based on pre-1953 insurance contributions. Pro rata pensions are also available to allow people with mixed rate insurance records to receive a payment and this is of benefit to people who may have worked in both the public and private sectors.

Despite these improvements, there are some people who cannot qualify for a pension in their own right. For this reason, the Government is committed in the programme for Government to increasing the payment for qualified adults, aged 66 or over, to the same level as the personal rate of the old age non-contributory pension and to facilitate the direct payment of the allowance to spouses and partners. To this end, budget 2006 provided for an increase of €10.80 per week in the rates for a qualified adult allowance for old age contributory and retirement pensions where the qualified adult is aged 66 or over, bringing this rate up to €149.30 per week. Similarly, the rate for a qualified adult allowance for old age non-contributory pension was increased by €10.60 per week, bringing this up to €120.30 per week. These rates are 82% and 66% of the maximum rate of the old age non-contributory pension. Further increases in qualified adult allowance rates will be considered in the context of future budgets.

Also, since October 2002, in accordance with the conclusions of a PPF working group on administrative individualisation, new pension claimants can opt to have the qualified adult allowance paid directly to their spouse or partner. In this regard, some 1,101 couples have indicated their preference to have the qualified adult allowance paid directly to the spouse. This represents about 6.75% of approximately 16,300 old age contributory and retirement pensions awarded since October 2002 where a qualified adult allowance is payable.

I am aware of the desire of certain groups to have full mandatory individualisation of the qualified adult payment implemented. I am also conscious of the need to take account of the views of our customers regarding this matter. Furthermore, there are a number of administrative and legislative issues that require further examination before extending or modifying these arrangements. These issues are under consideration by my Department and I intend to progress the matter as quickly as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which he has considered allowing payment of the equivalent of non-contributory pensions in the case of Irish missionary workers who wish to remain overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11084/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which he has given further consideration to the payment of the equivalent of contributory/non-contributory old age pension to Irish missionaries who currently receive no such payment if they remain overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11333/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 185 together.

Missionaries who have made sufficient social insurance contributions can qualify for an old age contributory pension. Contributory pensions are payable abroad, so missionaries who qualify and who chose to settle overseas can receive a payment. Non-contributory pensions are only payable where a person is resident in this country. Accordingly, missionaries who return here and who satisfy the habitual residence condition and a means test can qualify for a pension.

Officials of my Department made a presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs in November 2005 regarding pensions for missionaries. Following the presentation, a working group, which includes my Department, was established to examine issues relating to social protection coverage for missionaries, notably with regard to pension coverage. The question of providing pensions for missionaries who retire abroad is being considered in the light of the conclusions of the working group.