Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 611: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will amend the Self Employment Pension Act 1988 to allow citizens over the age of 80 years receive a full contributory pension regardless of the number of contributions made (details supplied). [15134/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In order to qualify for the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory) a person must, amongst other qualifying conditions, achieve a yearly average of at least 48 contributions paid or credited on his/her social insurance record. I am anxious to ensure that as many people as possible can qualify for a contributory pension and, in this regard, the range of reduced payments has been expanded over the years so that more people can receive a payment. Reduced pensions are paid to those with yearly averages as low as 10 contributions. Arrangements are also in place for the payment of pro-rata pensions to those with mixed rate insurance records, contributions from other EU member States or from countries with which Ireland has a reciprocal agreement, and a number of special pensions such as the pre-53 pension are also available.

The rates of reduced pension are determined by the number of contributions paid. The level of pension payable is generally set as a percentage of the maximum payment. The person concerned is in receipt of a standard, half-rate state pension (contributory) based on a yearly average of between 10 and 14 social insurance contributions. The forthcoming Green Paper on pensions will include a discussion of all aspects of our pension system including the contribution that social welfare pensions can make to ensuring an adequate income for older people in retirement which is at the same time sustainable in the long-term. The Green Paper will be published following Government consideration of the issues involved and following its publication, a consultation process will take place to which Government will respond by publishing a framework for future pensions policy.