Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the promotional or publicity campaigns planned by his Department to inform and assist the high number of people approaching retirement who may find themselves disqualified from a State pension from 2012 on the basis of the new contribution qualifying thresholds that will apply from then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32212/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the recommendations of the Final Report of the National Pensions Board, Section 12 of The Social Welfare Act 1997 (now incorporated in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005) provides for amendments to the contribution conditions for the purposes of State contributory pensions.

In accordance with the legislation, from April 2002 the paid contributions requirement was standardised at 260 contributions and this will increase to 520 contributions with effect from April 2012. The planned contribution requirement has, for a number of years, been included in the Department's standard information material on pensions.

The Department is at present assessing the likely impact of the change on those who will reach pension age in 2012. The need for promotional work and other measures related to the planned change will be considered when this examination is complete.