John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the delays people are experiencing in accessing their pension records from the UK and the United States; the steps her Department are taking to expedite the process as applications are taking up to a year to process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38243/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The processing time for claims that fall to be examined under EU and Bilateral agreements take longer than that for standard Irish entitlements, reflecting the added complexity that arises in determining entitlements under these agreements, and the necessity to obtain the relevant insurance details from overseas social security institutions.

The majority of social insurance records are received from the Department of Work and Pensions, United Kingdom (UK) within three months. Where there is employment prior to 1975 it can take up to six months to obtain a persons record as these records are not readily accessible. With regard to requests for records from the United States (US), it takes approximately three weeks to obtain a social insurance record.

The Department has established a good working relationship with the Department of Work and Pensions and the United States Social Security Administration. Regular direct communication takes place with these bodies to ensure the accurate, complete and timely transfer of the information required to decide pension claims.

Delays in processing applications do not ultimately result in any losses to pensioners as payment is made from the due entitlement date.

Overall, I am satisfied that the current arrangements and procedures are working effectively and efficiently.